I will say in my case (HSC Expeditionary), excluding days as SDO where you're basically at work for 24 hours, I haven't done more than 5 days in the last 2.5 years that exceeded 12 hours actually at work. But, I'm at a very large squadron that sends small groups out on deployment several times a year rather than the whole circus packing up at once. If I was in a single-seat jet squadron, I'd be getting spit-roasted on ground jobs and rushing through more tactical quals in less time, so I'd probably have a lot more long days. Additionally, some of my peers put in much longer days than me and come in on weekends routinely. I'm not sure if they're just that busy, or if they don't have a life.
I was a carrier guy in a smaller squadron - every JO had a job. Some were busy jobs with long hours (ops almost always), some were more standard and closely mirrored a 9-5 or 7-5 workday depending on a few factors. Definitely saw guys put in work on the weekends - I had to as well in the run up to aircraft commander and earning the tactical quals. This was common. I wouldn't say 12 hour days at home are common, but a 10 hour day was, routinely both before and after deployment. In the heart of workups, a 12+ hour day still wasn't common, but they certainly happened more... Typically 0700-1900 (probably an average day in workups was 0800-1830 for me as a guy new out of the FRS) and then I knew my productivity was down and I was hungry and needed to spend some time with the wife.
What was I doing? If I wasn't taking care of my division or its associated paperwork for whatever other ground job, I was studying. There are a lot of questionably useful computer lessons you have to get done, then study the
actual material in order to get sign offs in order to get the flight you need in order to get the qual you need. This is why I say "flight school never ends."
It helps that many of the Navy bases are in warm areas, with many in FL where most of her family is. Currently we live in MN and are ready to leave the cold inland area. We both grew up in the water, which is one of the reasons I initially looked into the Navy vs other branches. That might sound silly, but I swam competitively from age 4 through college and it paid for school.
I don't think this is a terrible line of thinking. I partially chose the Navy because of where the bases are located compared to the Air Force. I figured the place I least wanted to be in the Navy was Norfolk and I'd choose that over a lot of Air Force Bases like Minot, Edwards, etc. I now think the worst place I could be stationed would be Fallon, and even that I don't think would be terrible. The plus side of the Air Force though, is they have a lot more presence than the Navy does in Europe. I think it's fairly difficult to get to Europe while remaining in Naval Aviation, for the most part - and definitely when compared to the Air Force.
Just trying to get a handle on this, wondering if it's that simple. Girlfriend (future wife) and I are just curious about work/life balance. Currently we are flight attendants so we are used to being apart, that's not a big issue, but we've never done multiple months at once. During training, are there any week-long breaks or anything? I haven't searched this yet but I will...just asking since I'm here. She will continue to fly for this major airline, so getting to my location isn't a big deal (if it's allowed...I just don't know much about it yet...again, haven't searched, but I will, just asking since I'm already here). Thank you!
Expect her to come visit you more than you'll be able to see her. While in flight school, during Primary, my timing was very lucky and I finished right before the FY so they waited until October 1st to "officially" say I was done - as a result, for a few weekends in September, I got to visit San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. I had flown or simmed for 13 weeks straight with only Sundays off prior to that. In advanced, I had less weekends I had to fly, but the pace was pretty much the same otherwise and I didn't hardly ever get to travel. I think when I was in advanced, from Milton, I went to Atlanta once. Do not expect any week long breaks other than taking charged leave during the Christmas-time or New Year's periods. The plus side to this is you'll accrue a bunch of leave that you may or may not be able to take in the fleet.
Once you hit the fleet, it's possible you'll be gone - a lot. In the year 2014, despite being stationed in San Diego, I was in the State of California for only 47 days. The rest of my time was either at sea doing workups, in Fallon, NV doing workups, or at sea on deployment, plus the next 6 months of 2015 deployment.
However, with all that said, even if I don't stay in, I'm pretty proud of having served in the Navy and I generally have fond memories, and a few ones that hurt and cut deep. If the Navy is calling you - answer the call.
