I can't seem to find much information on this board about this subject, some help would be greatly appreciated.
I've been talking with a recruiter and have made a decision to join the Navy, I'll be going to MEPS next week. My wife is fine with this, this is no problem, and she understands fully that I could spend a lot of time away, all depending on the needs of the Navy. But I'd really like a chance at becoming a SEAL, and I'm not quite sure how she will react to that, so I need a little info before I bring it up.
First off, how much time during my complete SEAL training will I have to see my wife? Obviously I won't be seeing her during Hell Week, but what about throughout the rest of training, or is there periods in between or anything?
Secondly, suppose I complete my training and become a SEAL, how does my time and deployment in the Navy differ from regular Sailors? Will I have less time to see my wife?
Thanks for all of the answers, including the ones I've already found in this forum.
Originally posted by texan77: I can't seem to find much information on this board about this subject, some help would be greatly appreciated.
I've been talking with a recruiter and have made a decision to join the Navy, I'll be going to MEPS next week. My wife is fine with this, this is no problem, and she understands fully that I could spend a lot of time away, all depending on the needs of the Navy. But I'd really like a chance at becoming a SEAL, and I'm not quite sure how she will react to that, so I need a little info before I bring it up.
First off, how much time during my complete SEAL training will I have to see my wife? Obviously I won't be seeing her during Hell Week, but what about throughout the rest of training, or is there periods in between or anything?
Secondly, suppose I complete my training and become a SEAL, how does my time and deployment in the Navy differ from regular Sailors? Will I have less time to see my wife?
Thanks for all of the answers, including the ones I've already found in this forum.
Texan77 Yours is an excellent question often asked by many SEAL hopefuls who are also married. Answer: There is no pat schedule that can be placed before you advising how much you will be gone from your wife. SEALs by schedule are either deployed or out on various training gigs while in the States. The only SEALs that have long tenures of home life are the Instructors, and this only after they have earned selection to Instructor status via past deployments.
I have never understood SEAL trainee hopefuls that bring their young wives to a strange city enviorment only to leave the wife all day and many nights alone and expect the marriage to not bend. And if the trainee falls into the approx 70% fail percentage the trainee drop out is then transferred to the Fleet for another unknown schedule of periods away from the wife in a strange city enviorment. Instead of looking to the Navy for offering strength within your marraige, I suggest you look to your wife to see if she can handle the days and nights alone in a strange city. SEAL training is not J.C. Penney or Wal-Mart. Navy is Navy and SEAL training is a higher step above Fleet when it comes to expected contribution to the Team.
Yeah, it'll be tough getting my wife to go for that. She supports me in any decision I make, and I believe we could make it work, but I want her to have a full understanding, or at least as full of an understanding as she possibly can have before I make any decisions.
What about rating SB? I imagine its the same for them, they pretty much go anywhere the SEALS go, anytime right?
Originally posted by texan77: What about rating SB? I imagine its the same for them, they pretty much go anywhere the SEALS go, anytime right?
SB? Not quite. SEALs by mission do much more dry land, inland operations than ocean type ops.
I am not attempting to dissuade you from applying for SEAL training. The Teams always need qualified replacements. What I am encouraging you to look into your own marriage, both now and if you were to take your wife to a strange city and have to leave her alone for days and many nights. Where you would buddy-up right away wtih BUDS-Mates and have some psychological outlets, your wife would be left to her own devices.
And for the record, like those that ask for waivers, I never comment on waiver seekers as I have never met them or examined them. And I also find it prudent to stay out of others' marriages.
Yeah, my marriage comes first, and my wife is a strong woman. We had a long distance relationship before we were married, and now are enjoying time together. I know we could do it again, but I hate to do that to her. I appreciate your input, now I'll just have to get hers!
