So when we entered the Army (yes, I said we) 14 years ago, the game was played a certain way.  You would move every 2-3 years.  Every other move would be overseas to Germany or Panama or Korea.  For an officer, this was your time line - officer basic course - 1year.  1st assignment , 2 to 3 years, on your 4th year, promoted to captain, and off to a year advanced officer course, then a move 2-3 years, another move, then promoted to major, off to Kansas for a year, then on  and on...a year unaccompanied tour in Korea was the absolute worse.  Month long deployments were so hard back then!

For retention reasons, they started to have assignments last longer, spacing out the time between moves. No longer do you need to go overseas to further your career.

 We have done a lot backwards - 1 year AZ, 5 years CO, 1 year AZ, 3 yrs MD, 2 yrs NC, 1 yr KS, and now back to NC.  Our tours are getting shorter!  In this decade, we have had 6 addresses.

Why would we buy a house when we move so much?  Well, when we found out we were coming back, my loving husband said we would be here for at least 3 years, up to 5.  But guess what?  His dream job came open, in Maryland.  So we will be packing up next summer.

I am torn.  I really love my house.  The kids have a ton of friends.  I have amazing girlfriends.  But, if we stay, my husband will have littel control of where he works next, and most likely he would be here for a year then another 12-15 month deployment.  The job in MD would be high stress, long hours, rewarding, and time consuming.  But it would be nondeployable.  That is huge. 

He asked me my thoughts, as he always does.  When he does this, I sometimes feel cornered.  If I say no, am i admitting that I am not the "hooah!" army wife, able to handle anything?  Am I weak?  Am I selfish?  Is he ruining his career for me?  If I say yes, then it is my choice, and how can I complain?

On the other hand (how many hands is that!), there are many benefits of moving back there.

So I said, as I always do, "I support you in whatever you want to do".  And of course he got the job.  He always gets what he wants.  They will be lucky to have him.  I now I find myself daydreaming of DC and becoming annoyed by things around here.  The mind is an amazing thing, no? 

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ceejay said:

... earthmama - Yes, the mind is an amazing thing!! I don't know how we do it -- live with this mind that wrings us out like a wet washcloth then creates such fantastic scenarios of possibilities that we can't see our noses!! :) I like the sound of "nondeployable" myself! His hours may be long but they won't be 15 months long!!! You ARE a "hooah" army wife!! You're amazing!! My guess is that if you really think about it you're not a complainer anyway - so why make decisions that allow you to complain? LOL!!! You're a doer - and you're strong - and you're a great mom and so those kids will make terrific friends (as will you) in no time! My guess is that living in Maryland next year will be an exciting time!!! (My hope anyway!!) and that could be really great for all of you! You rock!

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ceejay said:

... earthmama - Yes, the mind is an amazing thing!! I don't know how we do it -- live with this mind that wrings us out like a wet washcloth then creates such fantastic scenarios of possibilities that we can't see our noses!! :) I like the sound of "nondeployable" myself! His hours may be long but they won't be 15 months long!!! You ARE a "hooah" army wife!! You're amazing!! My guess is that if you really think about it you're not a complainer anyway - so why make decisions that allow you to complain? LOL!!! You're a doer - and you're strong - and you're a great mom and so those kids will make terrific friends (as will you) in no time! My guess is that living in Maryland next year will be an exciting time!!! (My hope anyway!!) and that could be really great for all of you! You rock!

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June 28, 2008
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