Big news for the Wilhelm family today- Mom got a job! Well, sort of. She joined the Air Force again, this time as a Reservist. I'll try to answer the FAQs...
WHY?
Because it's that missing piece I couldn't shake. I've got my God. I've got my husband. I've got 5 kids. I've got a Master's degree. And what I still want is the Air Force. After 14 years of praying and searching...it never went away, and it became possible.
Do you have to go to Basic training again?
No. That'd be a deal breaker because it would be way too hard for the family. 8.5 weeks and basically no contact would be crazy for us. Thankfully, there isn't money to send people to Basic who've already been. I just have to go to tech school.
Why didn't you get a commission and become an officer?
It's complicated. The most basic answer is that in the military mental health field, a Master's isn't good enough, I need my PhD. That may happen in the future.
No. That'd be a deal breaker because it would be way too hard for the family. 8.5 weeks and basically no contact would be crazy for us. Thankfully, there isn't money to send people to Basic who've already been. I just have to go to tech school.
Why didn't you get a commission and become an officer?
It's complicated. The most basic answer is that in the military mental health field, a Master's isn't good enough, I need my PhD. That may happen in the future.
Why didn't you become a different kind of officer?
The AF Reserve has limited need for officers these days. And there's a million people wanting those spots. They're looking for those with skills I don't have- like pilots and doctors. I'm not above being enlisted again.
Will you be a linguist again?
Sadly, no. The training is almost 2 years. Our family can't be apart for that long. I'll be doing medical logistics. It's a 5 week technical school in Texas. And I'll be going there late Fall. Which, yes, means mom gets a vacation in a warm climate and Dad's in charge!
Sadly, no. The training is almost 2 years. Our family can't be apart for that long. I'll be doing medical logistics. It's a 5 week technical school in Texas. And I'll be going there late Fall. Which, yes, means mom gets a vacation in a warm climate and Dad's in charge!
Will you deploy?
Well...I definitely could. And should I want to, it would be easy to. But usually, there are enough volunteers that no one HAS to deploy. Obviously, that all depends on the needs of the AF. Right now we're in a time period with lower levels of deployed troops. That can change at any time. The great news is that Reserve deployments are way shorter than Active Duty ones.
Well...I definitely could. And should I want to, it would be easy to. But usually, there are enough volunteers that no one HAS to deploy. Obviously, that all depends on the needs of the AF. Right now we're in a time period with lower levels of deployed troops. That can change at any time. The great news is that Reserve deployments are way shorter than Active Duty ones.
Are you trying to get yourself killed?
No. I am not. But I do realize that could happen. Of course, riding in a car, changing a tire, flying in a plane, crossing a road, mowing the lawn...those can all get you killed as well. And in Detroit, you can get killed ordering food at McDonald's. I'll skip McDonald's and accept the risk of the Air Force.
What about homeschooling?
At this point, this should not affect our ability to homeschool the kids. That may change if I'm deployed. We'll deal with that as it comes.
At this point, this should not affect our ability to homeschool the kids. That may change if I'm deployed. We'll deal with that as it comes.
What do the kids and Bryan think?
The kids are pretty excited. They have a positive view of our military and serving our country. Bryan thought I was crazy for a long time, but he's finally realized this is just what I need. He thinks it'll be great for our family.
The kids are pretty excited. They have a positive view of our military and serving our country. Bryan thought I was crazy for a long time, but he's finally realized this is just what I need. He thinks it'll be great for our family.
What does this really mean?
The bottom line is, I'll go to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio one weekend a month. I will also have to do 2 weeks of annual training each year. If needed, I can be activated by the Air Force. If I choose, there are usually extra training opportunities and other assignments that need filled-those are optional. Otherwise, I am just committed to those requirements of one weekend a month and two weeks a year. It's really less than the average part-time job. (Pays less than one, too, but...)
The bottom line is, I'll go to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio one weekend a month. I will also have to do 2 weeks of annual training each year. If needed, I can be activated by the Air Force. If I choose, there are usually extra training opportunities and other assignments that need filled-those are optional. Otherwise, I am just committed to those requirements of one weekend a month and two weeks a year. It's really less than the average part-time job. (Pays less than one, too, but...)
I've been blessed with a supportive family and network of friends for whom I'm extremely grateful. I'm eager to see where this new chapter takes us.
