[sjford0419]

What's it like?
For me, not bad at all. I grew up in an Air Force family - my Dad retired from the AF, both of my brothers are in the Air Force. I married a Marine! So I am very used to the military "lifestyle". Yes, my husband is gone often. More so now than ever before (we have been together for 13 years)

Do you have any say in where you go?
The Marine Corps does have a wish list of sorts, but as the smallest branch of the armed forces, there are very few Marine Corps bases so our choices are limited. So far, we were only sent to one place that we didn't request and that was Tempe, Arizona for recruiting duty - but it was nice there and I loved it!

Are your husband's gone a lot?
Yes. My husband has deployed to Iraq 4 times and will be deploying again in a few months.(but he has never been gone for more than 6 months at a time)

Is it stressful?
Because I am used to the military lifestyle and I understand that my husband is doing his job (which I am extremely proud of) I have grown accustomed to the separations. When he is here, definitely no stress at all! He works regular hours, great holidays, lots of vacation days...not bad at all!

Do they really "take care" of the family?
I would have to say yes. I have only lived in base housing once, but it was brand new. Many of the bases are now privatizing their homes...meaning that they are using outside companies to build and maintain the homes. What does this mean? They are getting rid of the crappy old military housing and putting up brand new modern houses! I live near Parris Island and they have built so many new homes that I barely recognize it! Just 10 years ago, those houses were awful and no one wanted to live there - now everyone wants to live on base!

Not only that, there are SO many organizations on base so it is easy to make friends, etc.
As far as healthcare, not paying for anything is nice. I don't see a Dr. on a military base because I requested otherwise and I still don't pay a dime! I take my prescriptions on base and even things that most people have to buy (Motrin, Tylenol, etc.) I just ask my Dr. to write a script and I get it for free.