Right now I'm in the Air Force, I've only been in for about a year and only out of my training for about 6 1/2 months. I'm in Iraq right now and I really think that when we get back in March I'm going to try to go Blue to Green. I've always wanted to join the Army but when it came down to it chose the Air Force because I believed everyone when they told me the Air Force offered a better life for family (I have a wife and twin daughters). Obviously I don't know if that's the truth or not, I only know what I've seen on the Air Force side. Aside from the family I view the Air Force as a mistake. I chose the Air Force thinking it was better for my family, I chose my job because it had the earliest ship date and now here I am. I spent my whole life wanting to join the Army, Infantry to be exact. I'd just like more information on the Army from people who are actually in the Army. Those of you with families, what is life like for your family? More specifically when you're deployed? Does the Army have programs and stuff to help them with things? And then also like in the Air Force you're looked at in three different areas...How well you know your job, your volunteer work and your education. Is that the same case as in the Army or does the Army look at you in a whole different way? I'm almost positive that I'm going to go Blue to Green but I just want to talk to some soldiers before hand and get some good insight, if I was smarter I would have done the same before I joined and maybe I would have made the right choice the first time. I may have more time to think about this because I'm not sure on one part of the Air Force's requirements for Blue to Green, I still have to look into it more. If I can I'll be applying in March but there's a chance I may have to wait until August of next year. Anyway, any help, advice or information that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Tim

OK, I was Infantry in the 1980's. However, I can tell you that if your thinking of persuing Infantry there was no better recent author for the MOS then gruntpain1775.

He has some old threads in the Army Infantry Forum. Use the find button using his screen name.

The best one by far is the "I am Infantry" thread read through that for some background on his perspective. He had two tours in Iraq, 8 years on Active Duty and is on his way to become joe civilian this month or next.

Also read "How to tell if your a POUG".

We were lucky to have him the brief period that we did. Wish he would come back but he is probably pretty busy right now with the wife, kids, pending relo and new job.

BTW, both threads are meant to be light-hearted humor so take them in that light.

One of my best friends is a Senior Airman and has spent 6 years in the AF. While he's only on his second duty station, the AF has been kind to them. It's pretty much the same in the Army.
AD Army Infantry spends a lot of time in the field, but most installations have policies that state that you basically work a 9-5 type schedule when not in the field (or NTC, JRTC, etc). There is usually one day a week that is family day, and are therefore off work early afternoon.
There are LOADS of programs in place for families who chose to participate. The Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) have been getting a lot of extra focus with the current OpTempo. They are also making it to where, for the most part, you don't PCS but once every 4-6 years. Not guaranteed, of course, but more and more common.
As far as the Infantry goes, your work will be a LOT different than it is in the AF. Take Erich's advice and look up the old threads. They're good.