[Wishful]

Well, it would have helped if you mentioned which service he is considering. Being retired USAF as of 20+ years ago, I can give you a good idea what life is like in the military. Lets look at how life is in the Air Force. 6 weeks of basic training followed by up to a year of tech school to learn your job. Then finally get your first assignment. Not sure of the current regs, they have a tendency to change with the economy, but not being married means you do not have base priviledges. You can not get base housing, you can't shop at the BX, you can't go to the commissary (grocery store), and you do not get medical either. He gets all the above, you don't. You live downtown on the ecoomy. You pay rent, utilities, etc. just like any other civilian family. Once again, not sure of the current regs, but he may not be allowed to live off base or draw quarters allowance or separate rations (eating allowance). He can still do it, he just isn't doing it officially. Therefore, you will have to work to make ends meet. Now, if you are married, you may be eligible for base housing. Then its great. He gives up his quarters allowance and you get a house. Then you may still have to take a job to make ends meet. Military pay at the lower ranks is not the greatest - nor is it in the higher enlisted ranks. You have to mow the lawn and weed the flowers, in other words keep the place looking nice. Any problems, heater quits, water leak, whatever, the civil engineers fix it at no cost to you. If he deploys on temporary duty, meaning he is returning back to that base again, you stay where you are and live the best you can without him. When he gets back, you put your life back together. Most of the time moves to another base you go with him. there are a very few plces you can't go to but not many. Quite job dependent also. Altogether life in the military is good. They take good care of you. But it is a whole different world. Not everyone can conform to it. Personally, I liked it and still miss working on those big planes. And don't think that the Hollywood military you see in the movies is what life is like, it isn't. They have a tendency to highly exagerrate some things and totally mess up others. I fyou have specific questions, please ask. I may not be able to answer hem but we have active duty personnel here who probably can.