Officer/Enlisted marriage question

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I was curious about how this scenario might play out or if this decision is unwise:

I will be graduating with my BSN soon and have considered applying for commission to the USAF given the current job market and my student loans. My husband is currently a SSgt. in the USAF. Is this something that can be done? I've looked at other threads but did not see anything regarding a couple that had been married prior to the commissioning/involved different branches.

Is this something that is feasible? FYI my husband works in a career field that only requires that an airfield be present. Would this be an unwise decision or will I not be considered for commissioning because of this? How might this limit our career paths?

I know this isn't entirely related to nursing, but any insight would be greatly appreciated.

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I knew of at least two couples who were married when they were enlisted and one spouse went on to OTS (one guy was in my flight at OTS) and became an officer. Being married prior to commissioning will not cause you any UCMJ problems (unless something has changed in the last five years).

You might get the occasional joke "Are you gonna make him salute you at home?" :D

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Trust me, I make him "salute." :D

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

This should not be a problem as long since you where married before you recieved your commission.

Recently I seen a sign that stated "do not confuse your rank with my authority". I know this is pointed more at male officers then females but it does put things into prospective.

The only thing that could hurt your careers is if you always want to be stationed together. This could decrease the oppurtunies for each other, which could hurt promotions.

Good luck

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No problems in today's day and age as far as acceptability and social concerns. Maybe an occasional glitch in getting stationed together.

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This should not be a problem as long since you where married before you recieved your commission.

Recently I seen a sign that stated "do not confuse your rank with my authority". I know this is pointed more at male officers then females but it does put things into prospective.

Actually that's a cop quote (I'm an ex Air Force cop) and it comes from the simple fact that an enlisted E3 has the power to arrest a four-star general. It has nothing to do with males or females - it has everything to do with enlisteds who have authority over officers despite their rank.

As an E4 I once arrested an O5 for being stupid enough to drink and drive on base. ON BASE!!!

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Recently I seen a sign that stated "do not confuse your rank with my authority". I know this is pointed more at male officers then females but it does put things into prospective.

They way it was written was for husbands to understand the role at home. I have heard as a cop quote and as how it was presented.

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Specializes in Certified Pediatric Nurse.

No, there will be no issues with you attempting to receive a commission in the USAF. I am in the exact situation. My husband is an E5 in the USAF and I have my application in for the boards next month. The only issue comes if you two would be in the same chain of command, which is NOT allowed. (Basically, you can not be on the upper end of his chain of command). It sounds like you two will have no issues, as you will be in the med group and he will be with his group. As always, verify this with your recruiter. If you have children you will need a dependency waiver merely because you will be a mil-to-mil couple and have to have your dependency care plan in place and approved. This is a very easy process. Took me a few days to fill the paperwork out, get it all signed, and then a few more days for it to be approved. Good luck!

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THanks for posting this topic. I was curious myself!

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It won't be a problem. I'm in the same situation as you. I have been selected and am waiting to commission now. My husband us enlisted in atc. We will probably never even see each other!

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The only way you'd be in his chain of command is if you were the OIC of the unit and he was a med tech or the NCOIC on that unit - and before that happened they'd reassign one of you somewhere.

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Specializes in OR.

carolinapooh,

so just to clarify, if my husband is a med tech and i am trying to join as a nurse, it wouldn't be a problem so long as we were not working in the same clinic/floor? we could work in the same hospital and be apart of the same medical group, right?

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