Hey Ghost, glad you're still around to post this 
I submitted my application for MARS, and want that or the NCM Naval trades of NES, NCI, or Sonar Op, in that order. I expect to be deployed consistently, but this is what I want to do with my life.
It was frustrating that on the application you could only choose either 3 Officer jobs, or 3 NCM jobs, as opposed to a mix. I have no interest in any Officer position other than MARS, but am interested in 3 other NCM Naval jobs, which I could not select. Does anyone know why they use this method?
The theme of this thread seems to be that all trades can be deployed, and it's not easy to predict. Ghost, your post seems to go against that, implying that you expect some trades to be deployed more than others.
Can you elaborate?
If the is the overall message you got from my post, I apologize as it is incorrect. All jobs go out the door. Does every trade go for 6mons to the 'dangerous' frontlines of the Gan? No. The navy goes seaside a lot, the airforce seems to go everywhere. On the flipside, say you aren't deployed, then you can be put on career courses that last a few weeks to a few months or exercizes of the same type of duration.
From
MY experience, as an infanteer, here's what I can recall for time away from home or deployment.
-Every 2-3 mon was a 2-3wk training ex where I was in the boonies. If you were lucky, didn't get jacked up, and were not in a tactical ex, you could trudge up to the top of a hill for a 15min cell call (assuming you have a cell tower nearby)
-Twice a year was a PCF cycle where you get to leave a little earlier and son some days, stay later. The course would run about a month. Mine were all on base so I got to go home. Some courses are elsewhere so you will be away for that month.
-A 6month deployment to the Gan. I had snail mail and email but I am informed that those at the front now (in FOBs) don't have those luxuries all the time. Email for an hour every 2-4wks and snailmail that arrive via supply delivery every few days. The workup training can mean 6-12mon before you go overseas, you are on early mornings/late evening or frequent ex's too (again, this info is from '08 so I don't know if they have improved that family stresser or not)
-The occasional bugout where you are called in at 3am
Now from what I know:
-Some trades and positions can be on 3hr/24hr/3d/1wk notice to move meaning they can be deployed away with only that much notice given. Sometimes, regular units and positions can be put on this length of notice in a time of need. My unit was on 24hrs notice when MB was flooding, as an example.
-The higher up you go in your trade, more specialised courses are available to you. Unfortunately, these courses frequently require you to go away for a period of time to take them. Usually the courses offered when you are an FNG are offered at or near your place of work.
My closing opinion about your original predicament:
Yes, the job can be stressful for a family. What I have seen around my unit (again, infantry) is the real successful marriages involve the member and a really strong spouse who can take goto work, take the kids to school, shop for groceries and clean all by themselves. I believe they stay in their union b/c the genuinely love the member and enjoy being a part of something bigger. The great thing about 'army spouses' is that there are a lot of them and while you are at work working admidst your tight-knit briotherhood, the spouses have their own form of tight-knit comraderie that mutually supports oneanother. I look at some of my comrades' wives and admire how strong they are. They may not have all started off being that strong of a person, but their experiences and efforts make them into those people who I admire today.
I realise this may be a lot of information. I understand it may also bring up more questions. The military is like any job out there. Do you wish to commit to the job? Does your significant other wish to commit to you and your endeavor in achieving this goal? You could be in any other job and it may take you from home, put you in danger, or occupy a lot of your life at random times. Your spouse will have to deal with them too. Policemen, firefighteres, corporate CEO, scientist, even Greenpeace activist. That's the joy of being tied to another person these days.
