You did What!? (Why we chose the Air Force)

When we made our decision to enlist, we got some very mixed reactions to it. I say "we" because it was a joint decision. Yes, Mr. Superman was the one who signed his name on the contract, went to BMT, Tech School, etc etc but we as a couple decided what would be best for us not only in the present but in the long term future.

When people are considering whether or not enlisting would be right for them, or if they think that it may be something they would like to do, it is really important to look at the long term, what you want to do in your life, and especially for those in serious relationships ie marriage, to discuss it with your partner/spouse and make sure that you are both ready and willing for the complete 180 change in lifestyles. The stability in career is fantastic and the opportunities that become open to you are phenomenal but most people don't think about or don't realize the sacrifice necessary.

I can't even count how many people have asked me how long Mr. Superman and I were apart, what we had to do so far, if it's "hard", if we got to choose where to live, how much we make... think of any question YOU may wonder about and it has been asked. For the most part, questions are fine. They are to be expected. Others however, like, "Is it hard?" aggravate me but also make me shake my head at the ignorance. Of course it's difficult! Everything about it is difficult but it makes Mr. Superman happy, he loves it, its something to be proud of... I could go on and on but that isn't the purpose of this post. I will just say that the good outweighs the bad and the hubbs loves it so I am content and happy.

The story behind why Mr. Superman and I chose to enlist and also chose the Air Force over any other branch actually extends back to when Mr. Superman was in high school, before I ever met him. He won't toot his own horn but I'll be more than happy to bragster him up a bit. He is a total genius! He had lots of scholarships and had been accepted to ASU (Arizona State University), U of U (University of Utah), Colorado State, and the ever exclusive USC. He played football and wrestled and as injuries do happen, he ended up with two horrible knees at the end of it and lost the scholarships. He had been fully planning on attending U of U and doing their ROTC program then commissioning as an Officer in the AF. Sweet right?! Yeah well he couldn't pass the physical with two blown out knees.

Fast forward three years. We're married, Mr. Superman has only three semesters left until his BSD, we have 3 jobs between the two of us but no money. We felt like we needed to move to UT. We prayed then moved. After both of us getting new, fantastic, high paying jobs, we were both laid off. *Insert screaming and crying here* Without talking about it we both kept having the Air Force pop into our heads. After a week of no work, we sat down to discuss our options and we both brought it up. Long story short, we went into a recruiting office, got our questions answered, prayed, then enlisted! It was a bit of a whirlwind ride but here we are! So back to basic questions of this post.

Why did we enlist? Well Mr. Superman had always had interest but lost his chance due to sports injuries. We both felt like life was just supposed to happen a little and he's now back on the path that was originally meant for him (us). The fact that he is now loving this career path is a major plus along with the stability in employment, education perks, housing, major network, etc etc.

Why the Air Force? Again, it was Mr. Superman's original interest. Also, it was a huge plus that they would be allowing him to go right back to school. Education opportunities are huge and Mr. Superman finishing his degree is so important to him and to his plans and goals for the Air Force. I guess all in all it was just the best fit for us.

That's all for now lovelies.

♥ Mrs. S.

He's In!!

'I, Mr. Superman, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.'

He's in!! He was sworn in today and is now an official USAF Trainee. I didn't get to be there but he will swear in again at his Basic Training Graduation and become an Airman. I'm so proud of him!!

Now we wait three weeks to find out when he leaves for Basic and what job he got!

NEWS

Alright everyone, things are squared away and Mr. Superman returns to MEPS tomorrow. Even though he just needs to interview with the doctor then job counsel he still has to be there at 5:30. No fun at all but he is just happy things will be done. So if all goes as it is supposed to then he will swear in to the USAF tomorrow afternoon. Cross your fingers and pray for us that all goes well and that there are still jobs available. Update to follow.

Extremely aggravated/irritated/irate/angry/fed up

Alright people here is yet again another update.

Today was supposed to be a BIG day. A big day indeed. Mr. Superman got clearance after a week of high stress and fighting on my part with people mostly out of state. He left at 5:00 this morning to head down to the MEPS bldg where he took his ASVAP and where all of the other US Military and USAF stuff happens. He had to get blood drawn and a drug test, eye test and tons of other stuff done in order to be able to get his physical. He then kinda just hangs out all day then was supposed to meet with a Job Counselor to go over his job picks then in the afternoon swear in and then everything would be official. We thought we were done jumping through hoops and all the stress was gone.

I get a phone call from SGT. V. Bad feeling in my stomach. He proceeds to tell me Mr. Superman can't do anything more today because.... get this. The doctors office in AZ that was in charge of sending his complete medical chart.... only sent over the records for his left knee!!! I couldn't believe it. So we are again in limbo due to somebody else's incompetence and stupidity and lack of caring for someone else. I thought I had drilled into them the necessity of speed and accuracy. That our lives are held up until this was all taken care of. NOPE. I guess not.

So on Monday I get to call the doctors office and try to get them to find the records for the right knee, then get the doctor to sign a separate release form for his right knee, and pray they get it right this time around. The worst part is that on Monday the job drop comes through. The AF office here has all week to dispense and assign these jobs and if on Friday there are still some they get sent to some other squadron in the country.

Even if I do get everything I need on Monday, it cant get reviewed until Tuesday and Wednesday, MEPS is closed. The earliest Mr. Superman could go back in is on Thursday and spend another entire day trying to get everything done. Chances are there would be none of his job picks available by Thursday and we will still be forced to wait until the second week of April for the next drop. The ironic thing is by us rushing and stressing and me being on the phone for hours and arguing our case was all in attempting to avoid this.

So much for doing all we can right? It got us no where.

Quick Update

Well after making dozens of phone calls everyday and stressing like crazy all of the paperwork is done. It is a miracle we got everything together as fast as we did especially with all of Cody's medical records being out of state. Sergeant Vanhook actually said we are the fastest he has ever seen someone getting everything taken care of. I just had to laugh. So now Cody's file is just being reviewed and he will be having his physical *hopefully* Friday or Saturday. After that he sits down with someone and goes over all of his job choices and submits those. Then its usually two to three weeks until we hear what job he got and when he ships out for basic. Everything is out of our hands now and its really just a waiting game.

We went through last night and Cody picked his list of jobs. He is excited for the options he has. Cody being the genius he is got the highest score possible on the ASVAP (the test to qualify) so if all goes how it is supposed to he will get one of his top choices.

After we get the date for him to leave, we will start packing here then drive down to AZ to visit people and get me settled. Then my heart will break when I drop him off at the airport for him to get back to UT. He will then leave from UT for Basic.

Basic is 8 1/2 weeks and we will get one call for sure but have letters. At the end of Basic I will go to TX to spend FOUR DAYS WITH HIM!! I then leave again and he then ships out to whatever base his Tech School is at. Tech School is usually 8 more weeks then he is granted leave to come get me and for us to move to whatever base he is then assigned to be stationed at. There is only one job on his list that has a really long term of tech school. In which case I would be able to be with him.

We are bracing ourselves for 4 to 5 months of separation though. *WINCE* We are excited for our future though and the opportunities that are coming our way. Just thought I'd update everyone! Love you all!

Update & News

Well we have already notified family of this huge decision so the next step is letting our friends and blog stalkers know whats going on. Here goes.

Cody is enlisting in the US Air Force. Now take a breath and relax. This is something that we have been thinking about for nearly two years and have come to the conclusion that this is whats right for our family. This is a decision that is pertaining to us and our lives. This is something that is only directly affecting Cody & I and support is greatly appreciated.

As some of you may know Cody had a scholarship with the Air Force in high school but lost it due to his knees. When we moved to Utah we thought we'd be able to get ahead in finances and finish school and get a great job lined up but things haven't quite gone that well. We both got jobs and after three weeks both got laid off due to whatever reasons. This is something that brought us yet again to the USAF. We deliberated and of course prayed and this is the decision we have come to. He is in the middle of paperwork right now but we are hoping to get released for the next job drop which is the second week of March.

If all goes as planned he would be selected for the next drop and go to Texas for 8 1/2 weeks of Basic Training. After that is completed he is then sent to Tech School to get trained for his new job. If the school is more than 20 weeks (5 months) I would get to go live on the base with him. After Tech School he would then be assigned his station. That is where our new residence would be. Whatever base he gets assigned to he would be working there and doing night school. The cool thing is that Cody will be able to select jobs that would put him closer to his goal of completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Also, while in Tech school, he is receiving college credits. He would have at least 25 more credit hours by the time Tech School is completed.

Another great thing is that since Cody has already completed over 45 credit hours (he has over 60) he is already promoted and that gives us a higher pay grade right off the bat even for BT. After he has completed his Bachelor's he will then be able to apply for Officer status and that bumps us up even higher with the salary.

We are so excited at this new opportunity and are completely confident in this decision. Support from my family is strong which is so helpful especially since we'll be separated for so long. Once he is officially enlisted Cody will be driving me down to Arizona to stay with my sister until his Basic Training is completed. I am so excited to be able to be back with my family!

We do realize things will take a little bit longer with this route but this is giving us stability, and in the long run, so much more than we would get from anything else. Yes it'll be tough but we are ready and willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of our future and our family.

Well wishes are welcome. We love you all and hope all is well with you in your lives.

Love,

Cody & Rachelle Steele

(Delegated by Mr. Cody himself)