Soon to be Air Force Wife Needs Advise...

MegSommer
MegSommer Posts: 522 Member
edited October 3 in Motivation and Support
Ok so those of you who know me, know my situation. My Husband is leaving for boot camp November 8th and will then have a tech training for Air Traffic Controller following basic for about 7 weeks. So he will be away from us (us being me and our 2 1/2 year old son) for about 4 months with little contact :o( I have been trying to mentally preparing myself for this because from what i understand the profession of Air Traffic Controller is a great civilian job post military with a great yearly earning.

So heres where i need some input from others who may know....i just got a message from him saying that a linguist position (what he originally wanted to enlist for) has opened up which puts him leaving for basic in January and we would be relocated with him because his tech training would be a year long....But what the heck can you do with a linguist training/degree when were all done?

This entire military thing kills me because either way we will be away from our very close family that is a huge support system for the duration of his enlistment. This whole thing is turning my world upside down.....i would love to hear what others have to say. Thanks!


PS i just realized i spelled ADVICE wrong in the title...and it wont let me fix it now. :o(

Replies

  • ampuckett08
    ampuckett08 Posts: 17 Member
    First I want to thank you and your husband for supporting our country. My brother was in the Air Force and just recently was medically discharged due to injuries he obtained while serving overseas. I know the struggles and pain of having loved ones away from you for long stretches of time. While it can be difficult, I commend you for supporting your husband for the choices and decisions he has made. You are correct with knowing that Air Traffic Controllers make a decent living in the civilian "world". As for Linguists, I am not sure how many "real" civilian jobs are truly out there. I know that if you husband has gone to college or would plan on taking advantage of the military paying for him to attend college he could potentially become a teacher or professor teaching foreign languages (including English, because he would gain the greater knowledge of the history of the English language regarding different dialects, jargon, in depth phonics, etc). In some cities hospitals hire Linguists for translation purposes as to cities where tourism is high for tours and museums. Also, the FBI loves Linguists, but it may be difficult to get a foot in the door, however; with his military background that will be a major plus!!! Here is a website to help you regarding jobs for Linguists. http://linguisticmystic.com/2010/03/30/reader-question-what-jobs-can-a-linguist-get/

    I hope this helps!!! God Bless America.
  • MegSommer
    MegSommer Posts: 522 Member
    First I want to thank you and your husband for supporting our country. My brother was in the Air Force and just recently was medically discharged due to injuries he obtained while serving overseas. I know the struggles and pain of having loved ones away from you for long stretches of time. While it can be difficult, I commend you for supporting your husband for the choices and decisions he has made. You are correct with knowing that Air Traffic Controllers make a decent living in the civilian "world". As for Linguists, I am not sure how many "real" civilian jobs are truly out there. I know that if you husband has gone to college or would plan on taking advantage of the military paying for him to attend college he could potentially become a teacher or professor teaching foreign languages (including English, because he would gain the greater knowledge of the history of the English language regarding different dialects, jargon, in depth phonics, etc). In some cities hospitals hire Linguists for translation purposes as to cities where tourism is high for tours and museums. Also, the FBI loves Linguists, but it may be difficult to get a foot in the door, however; with his military background that will be a major plus!!! Here is a website to help you regarding jobs for Linguists. http://linguisticmystic.com/2010/03/30/reader-question-what-jobs-can-a-linguist-get/

    I hope this helps!!! God Bless America.

    Thank you!! I was beginning to think i posted this for no reason with no replies. lol
  • Lilylove86
    Lilylove86 Posts: 36 Member
    I'm in the Air Force and my husband was as well but is now a civilian, so I can totally understand where you are coming from on the family part. My parents live across the country and I'm living in a place that I do not know and its really hard at first....but the thing with the military is that its a little family within itself. You get to know the other military wives who are in the same situation as you and they become the people you call and have thanksgiving with and such. Its a whole other world. But mind you, you will find it hard at first. Its normal. just know that you will not be the only other military wife in this position and that the others are there to support you :smile:

    as for the linguist, it can be a really great job! it has a top secret clearance level which means pretty important and it opens doors to work for big companies or the government after! The world economy is now international and they always need people who speak other languages.

    I wish you the best!
  • Faery7
    Faery7 Posts: 317 Member
    I'm sorry I don't have any advice for the linguist part, but I wanted to say my brother is in the Air Force, he's a medic, and I wanted to say thank you and your husband for all you have to go through to do this. It's a huge commitment and I know how hard it is on my brother and his family. He leaves for Afganistan in December and will be at Camp Leatherneck with a bunch of marines. His wife is pregnant with their 2nd child and he's going to miss the birth. I know how hard it is for her going through this knowing he isn't going to be there. So again, thank you! I don't know that I could do it, and if I did, I'd tell you I'd need a TON of support! :)
  • GouchisGirl
    GouchisGirl Posts: 321 Member
    Sweetie, there isn't any easy way to get through it, but it does get easier each time they go away. I still hate it, but it is easier. Just remember what an amazing example he is being for the kiddos, and what a wonderful service he is doing for your family and all of ours. I am so proud to be a military spouse, and am so proud of my husband, you will be to. It is a true sacrifice on both your part, and his, but it is one of the biggest gifts that anyone can give. Thank you guys for being a part of keeping our country free. :)
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