I tell you what, flyguy. I love being a Marine, and there are plenty of times that it sucks. Motiv8r was right on, though. I have a wife and daughter and they are the world to me. Your wife HAS to understand that the Corps, as much as they try, to give you an adequate QOL, is gonna get theirs out of you. When you are doing your MEU work ups, you might as well already be gone for 12 months, vice 6 or 7. She has to understand that as much as you want to be home, there are going to be times where you pull a Smedly Butler, and leave her a note saying," Gone to war, see you when I get back". My wife would hate seeing a note like that, but she would just be pissed cuz i didn't at least kiss her goodbye. If she can't grasp, accept, or understand any of that - don't be a married Marine. Because you may not be married for long.
As for being an aviator, you work your arse off. Those Marines in the maintenance shops work night and day to make sure those aircraft are good to go. HueyCobra8151 is a prime example of that. I've gone out to help test aircraft, and the crew chief is eating a cold Sausage Mcmuffin, with black, spraypainted, greasy hands, because they had a minute to wolf it down. Those crew chiefs will then wrap it up, half eaten and say, ready to go, sir? That is what it is all about. Be committed to the mission, because the mission will commit you, either way.
Semper fi
