Need Some Advice

[thetoolman]

I am a 27yr old married man with a 4 year old stepdaughter. I have a BS in Information Technology and an MBA. Currently work in IT healthcare for the past 5 1/2 years and worked in state goverment in IT for 4 years prior to that.

I am at a point where I am ready for a new challenge and considering applying for the Air Force OTS. I know it is very competitive and there is no guarentee of being selected. I want to stay in IT, but understand as an Officer that no job is guaranteed and I could end up in a completely different career field. Of course there are many hurdles along the way and I am probably looking at a taking an initial pay cut. Looking at all the benefits it is definitely something I am interested in, but at the same time I am a little reluctant. I am just tired of the same ol' desk job everyday. All advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[brmaster]

Feel lucky to have the job you got for sure, first I would try applying other places, as if you went to OTS, then off somewhere you are leaving a lot behind, and you will miss a lot, you can ask most anyone who has served, its not a cakewalk.

 

[jb3]

I think this question would be better asked and talked over with you family.

 

[thetoolman]

No, I am fully aware it is no cake walk. As a matter of fact everyone that I have talked with had the same thoughts after the first 2-3 weeks of OTS "What did I get myself into?" LOL. I am blessed to have the job I am currently in and very thankful for that. I just feel like I should be doing more than the same routine everyday.

 

[thetoolman]

I think this question would be better asked and talked over with you family.

My wife is all for it, I have a brother in the Army so we understand alot of the sacrifices. Just at a crossroad right now and this site has more sound advice than I can find anywhere.

 

[TennesseeRains]

You have a 4 year old girl...and you're looking for a new challenge...are you nuts?!?!?

 

[TNGunsmoke]

If you can stand the thought of being separated from your wife and child for up to a year at a time(if you get sent someplace they can't go), then it is something to consider. If the thought of being apart and missing all the life events that go on in a 4 year olds life in a years time is something you can deal with, it is something to consider. For me personally, I would not miss the time I had with my children for any amount of challenge or money in this world.

 

[Vermin93]

It is infinitely easier if you have a strong, independent wife and a rock solid relationship with her. I saw more relationships fall apart during my 5 years in the Navy than I have seen in the 15 years since I've been out. In that sense, the Air Force is typically not as difficult as the Navy, Marines or Army, but it can be. It all depends on what you do and where you are assigned. My dad was a career Air Force officer with 20+ years of active duty. Our family life was great, but he was stationed in the States during my entire childhood. Our family was fortunate that he was never gone for more than a few weeks at a time. The nature of his job never took him far away for long. He loved the Air Force and it was good to our family. The only part I didn't like was moving every 4 years and starting over in school. People ask me where I'm from and I have no answer. With my dad being in the Air Force and me being in the Navy, I've lived all over the country.

 

[bushhog]

IT personel are very important part of all sevices now. Everything is computor related. Make them put it in writing that this will be your career path. Be prepared to leave for extended times. I was army until 3 weeks ago when I retired, during my last trip to Afghanistan I had Air Force and Navy enlisted personel assigned to my Communications Section. They were some of the best. It will not be a cake walk and times from family will be part of your life. At your age you will have a lot of adjustment to following directions from people younger than you. Good Luck I spent 41 years and 2 weeks in the Army and 30 years was in the communications field and the tecnology now is for the young soldiers who grew up on computors

 

[Twinshooter]

Since the 4 yo is your stepchild, is she limited to whether she can move out of State or Country?
Also right now the government is cutting back, so the position could start getting limited.

 

[KPH]

Go for it you are the only one who knows if you realy want to.

 

[TN Larry]

Pray for the decision to be what is best for you and your family.

 

[huntinkev]

Pray about it. I think it would be difficult for someone who has a family already established to do. But I know a guy that went into the army as a chaplain, he is in his 40's. He has been gone most of the 3 years he's been in there, Afghanistan mostly. It would be to hard for me to do that with my family here.

 

[thetoolman]

Since the 4 yo is your stepchild, is she limited to whether she can move out of State or Country?
Also right now the government is cutting back, so the position could start getting limited.

No limitations on my daughter, but the cuts are a big concern. I just keep praying that I do whats right and make the right move. I am going to get a study guide and prepare for the AFOQT then see where it leads.

My wife is excited about new opportunities, but I am not sure how she will react when reality sets in. This is something I have thought about for a very long time and I know I am not getting any younger. I do have reservations about constant moving, but I know people who have been in the military 15-20 yeas at the same stationed base. Alot of thinking, talking and praying going on in this household right now. Appreciate all the information and thoughts.