This is a message from a wife who went to Alabama with her husband. Thanks for sharing.
My husband just finished JASOC and we were able to find an apartment nearby that offered a short/flexible lease. We were really lucky and fortunate, actually.
And for anyone who is as unaware as I was, you actually get reimbursed (at a later time) a small amount of money each day (that really adds up by the end of the month) for rent (since my husband didn't stay in the "extended stay/hotel room" on base during JASOC) and it covered our stay so my children and I could live with my husband while he was in JASOC. This is not including BAH.
May sound confusing but I think the key is asking questions. If you want to make it happen during JASOC, it's possible. It just seems like a lot of that information isn't readily available so it's not always easy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
Question: Moving to Alabama with my husband during JASOC while pregnant
Someone asked if they can move to Alabama with their husband while he attends JASOC.
Short answer: You can but it will be at your own expense to get there. You can still receive BAH but you will not be reimbursed for your travel expenses. He will be busy and will not be allowed to take time off. The person asking this question is expected to deliver their 3rd baby while her spouse is at JASOC so I can see why she'd want to go. I could see him being allowed to miss a day, maybe two for the delivery but it's not a guarantee. When at JASOC they are not allowed to take leave days generally. So it would be a gamble. Consider going somewhere that you have family so they can help with the other two kids and you while you deliver and recover. Otherwise, you're potentially going to be in Alabama alone without much help. This would be worse case scenario. On the flip side, you could go and he may be allowed to take time off and be present for the delivery which we all want for our babies and selves understandably. Good luck and keep us posted!
Short answer: You can but it will be at your own expense to get there. You can still receive BAH but you will not be reimbursed for your travel expenses. He will be busy and will not be allowed to take time off. The person asking this question is expected to deliver their 3rd baby while her spouse is at JASOC so I can see why she'd want to go. I could see him being allowed to miss a day, maybe two for the delivery but it's not a guarantee. When at JASOC they are not allowed to take leave days generally. So it would be a gamble. Consider going somewhere that you have family so they can help with the other two kids and you while you deliver and recover. Otherwise, you're potentially going to be in Alabama alone without much help. This would be worse case scenario. On the flip side, you could go and he may be allowed to take time off and be present for the delivery which we all want for our babies and selves understandably. Good luck and keep us posted!
Saturday, March 5, 2016
HELLO JAG WORLD!!
Oh my is this update long overdue! Jeremy has officially been off active duty since September 2014. We settled in Northern California where he opened his own law practice. His practice focuses mostly on Estate Planning as well as Business Law.
But....we haven't completely left the Air Force! Jeremy has joined the Air Force JAG Reserves. This was quite the long process as well. He didn't immediately decide to join the reserves when he initially separated from Active Duty because we weren't sure where exactly we were going to settle. That was important because you need to request a specific base to be attached to as a reservist. Once we got settled (about a year and half later) he began the process to be in the reserves. It took 9 months! You think I would know by now how slow the military can move at times but honestly we didn't think it would take that long. However, I am very grateful he got accepted because each base only takes so many reservists and ours just happen to have an opening.
The perks are great, especially since Jeremy is self-employed running his own practice. The health insurance is awesome, not a 100% like Active Duty, but we can't complain! Because he sets his own schedule it's been easy to fulfill his reservist duties as well.
Honestly, I loved the military life. It's still crazy for me to think that I was once adamantly opposed of him joining the Air Force. It was the BEST four years!! When we felt prompted to get out that was super tough but had to rely on our faith and trust that God had a greater plan for us. As usual, God is always right. Just like He was when He told me the Air Force was His will for our family and would bring us great joy; He has also been right about the need to separate from what we loved in Sept. 2014. His plan for us was to take all that we learned and carry it with us to another stopping point on our journey in life. We are surrounded by family right now and exactly where we need to be. Life is good!
But....we haven't completely left the Air Force! Jeremy has joined the Air Force JAG Reserves. This was quite the long process as well. He didn't immediately decide to join the reserves when he initially separated from Active Duty because we weren't sure where exactly we were going to settle. That was important because you need to request a specific base to be attached to as a reservist. Once we got settled (about a year and half later) he began the process to be in the reserves. It took 9 months! You think I would know by now how slow the military can move at times but honestly we didn't think it would take that long. However, I am very grateful he got accepted because each base only takes so many reservists and ours just happen to have an opening.
The perks are great, especially since Jeremy is self-employed running his own practice. The health insurance is awesome, not a 100% like Active Duty, but we can't complain! Because he sets his own schedule it's been easy to fulfill his reservist duties as well.
Honestly, I loved the military life. It's still crazy for me to think that I was once adamantly opposed of him joining the Air Force. It was the BEST four years!! When we felt prompted to get out that was super tough but had to rely on our faith and trust that God had a greater plan for us. As usual, God is always right. Just like He was when He told me the Air Force was His will for our family and would bring us great joy; He has also been right about the need to separate from what we loved in Sept. 2014. His plan for us was to take all that we learned and carry it with us to another stopping point on our journey in life. We are surrounded by family right now and exactly where we need to be. Life is good!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Looking for JAG Wives who want to help others
I'm reaching out to see if any JAG Spouses out there want to contribute to this blog by sharing your experience. I have had several women reach out and ask if they can contribute. Instead of limiting it to only them, I thought I would send out an announcement to all. If your interested in any capacity to share and help others, let me know!
NEW JOB
This post has been a long time coming. It took a little over 1 YEAR for Jeremy to get a job that was high enough pay to meet the needs of our family (after all we live in California and have 4 children!). The legal market is a tough field right now. But I am ecstatic to report that Jeremy has a job with a plaintiffs law firm in Sacramento, California.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
How Jeremy seperated from the Air Force earlier than his commitment date...
In May 2009 Jeremy signed a 4 year commitment putting his service
member date to May 2013. He served his first 2 years at Sheppard AFB in
Texas. Then by accepting an assignment at Ramstein, Germany AFB, he
added on another year because oversees assignments are for 3 years if
you have dependents. (If no spouse and kids, it's 2 years)
He didn't remember/realize/know that this was the case and thought he could simply not sign up for 2 more years come May 2013 and we could be done and go back home to the good ole' USA in May!
It wasn't until May 2013 that he remembered/realized/discovered that his commitment was extended and we were set to be at Germany regardless until July 2014. SHOCKING! He had already told his SJA that he was planning on separating and would be leaving sometime that summer (2013). The office was already in motion and planning on not having Jeremy around.
This was confusing for Jeremy because he had felt strongly that the time was NOW to get out of the Air Force. He wasn't too excited about having to wait a whole year. He remembered a fellow JAG we were stationed in Texas with that went to Aviano, Italy Air Force base for only 1 year and then separated from the JAG. Wondering how she did it, he called her up a day or two after he realized his commitment wasn't expired for another year. She informed him that there was a "special" reshaping program that she used to end her commitment a year early.
Essentially what it was is that any JAG that wanted to end their commitment early had to go through an application process and request an early separation. For that particular year of 2013, all JAG that chose to apply to separate sooner than their commitment date had to have a new separation date of September 29, 2013, regardless of when you applied, be it in January 2013 or late May 2013 (which is when Jeremy submitted the application). Oh and did I mention that the application takes 8 weeks to be processed and notified if they accept your request to separate early?? Let me tell you, it took exactly that long. We found out in late July that they accepted his request. We patiently (not really) waited to get orders so we could schedule with TMO to have our household goods packed and shipped. We shipped our car as soon as we could. Sold our second vehicle. Jeremy wrapped up at work. We took a planned vacation the first week of August to Ireland and on September 11th moved from Germany to California. Phew, that was a very busy 6 weeks!!!
He didn't remember/realize/know that this was the case and thought he could simply not sign up for 2 more years come May 2013 and we could be done and go back home to the good ole' USA in May!
It wasn't until May 2013 that he remembered/realized/discovered that his commitment was extended and we were set to be at Germany regardless until July 2014. SHOCKING! He had already told his SJA that he was planning on separating and would be leaving sometime that summer (2013). The office was already in motion and planning on not having Jeremy around.
This was confusing for Jeremy because he had felt strongly that the time was NOW to get out of the Air Force. He wasn't too excited about having to wait a whole year. He remembered a fellow JAG we were stationed in Texas with that went to Aviano, Italy Air Force base for only 1 year and then separated from the JAG. Wondering how she did it, he called her up a day or two after he realized his commitment wasn't expired for another year. She informed him that there was a "special" reshaping program that she used to end her commitment a year early.
Essentially what it was is that any JAG that wanted to end their commitment early had to go through an application process and request an early separation. For that particular year of 2013, all JAG that chose to apply to separate sooner than their commitment date had to have a new separation date of September 29, 2013, regardless of when you applied, be it in January 2013 or late May 2013 (which is when Jeremy submitted the application). Oh and did I mention that the application takes 8 weeks to be processed and notified if they accept your request to separate early?? Let me tell you, it took exactly that long. We found out in late July that they accepted his request. We patiently (not really) waited to get orders so we could schedule with TMO to have our household goods packed and shipped. We shipped our car as soon as we could. Sold our second vehicle. Jeremy wrapped up at work. We took a planned vacation the first week of August to Ireland and on September 11th moved from Germany to California. Phew, that was a very busy 6 weeks!!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Air Force ReShaping Program
The Air Force JAG has become more and more competitive ever since Jeremy entered the Air Force in 2009. It was typical for some JAG in years past to serve for a few years and then get out and take a civilian job. However, because the economy hasn't turned around the way we all would prefer, fewer and fewer JAG are separating by their own choice (like Jeremy did last September). As a result the Air Force is retaining more JAG than the demand calls for. The Air Force has gone to their Force Shaping Program. Essentially, its a reduction of military members. Right now the 2009 JAG class is being looked at to reduce their number of Captains. Basically, the Air Force makes a decision off of performance reports etc. and selects a number of Captains to be honorable discharged from the JAG Corps..
They don't just do this to Captain's but it is done all the way up the chain to Colonel's. The benefit to this happening to you after you've served in the Air Force for 6 years is that typically you receive some kind of severance package. At times, they have even asked for volunteers to separate and they will pay out up to 1 and a half the normal severance package. This way they weed out those who are planning and/ or want to separate instead of letting go other members that actually want to stay in.
THEN, there is the reshaping program that Jeremy found out about (kind of last minute if you ask me) that allowed him to get out of his commitment early. To which I will write about in my next post. And this time I PROMISE it will be soon!
They don't just do this to Captain's but it is done all the way up the chain to Colonel's. The benefit to this happening to you after you've served in the Air Force for 6 years is that typically you receive some kind of severance package. At times, they have even asked for volunteers to separate and they will pay out up to 1 and a half the normal severance package. This way they weed out those who are planning and/ or want to separate instead of letting go other members that actually want to stay in.
THEN, there is the reshaping program that Jeremy found out about (kind of last minute if you ask me) that allowed him to get out of his commitment early. To which I will write about in my next post. And this time I PROMISE it will be soon!
Question from a Reader: I thought the commitment is for 4, 8, or 12 years. So 2015-2009 is 6. Why 6?
Your initial commitment is for 4 years. At the 4 year mark you can take a bonus of $20,000 and sign for 2 additional years. Then at 6 years you can sign for 4 more years and receive a bonus of $40,000. Got it?
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Where has the time gone...
Wow, where has the time gone? I need to sit down and write a few blog posts. We are now in California missing Germany immensely but moving forward. J did decide to get out of the Air Force JAG and I will write ALL about that soon. It was quite the process seeing that his commitment wasn't in fact up until May 2015!!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Girl #4 is here!
On April 27th our 4th girl made her arrival. All is well and I am doing better than ever. This is the first child I have had on the military's dime and I must say I was impressed. Living in Germany I had the choice to have the baby at a German hospital or the military hospital, both would be 100% paid for. I chose the military hospital and am glad I did. The only downside was that at 24 hours I checked out of there. Usually I like to stay for 48 hours. I left because there was one bathroom with 3 toilets and 1 shower to share among all the patients. I had to wheel my baby down to the bathroom with me whenever I needed to use it. There was no nursery so the baby had to stay with you at all times.
You don't get much individualized care at your weekly checkups unless you choose to see the same doctor or mid wife at each appointment (Yes, the Air Force has mid wives!). Seeing that there were a dozen doctor's I tried to see a different one as much as I could so that on delivery day I didn't have one I never met, which is exactly what happened. You get whoever is on duty. It was completely fine though because he did a fabulous job and I was extremely pleased with the whole experience.
As far as whether J is getting out of the military...it's looking more and more like YES. Now the question is when? I'll save that for another post when I find some time between nursing, changing yet another diaper, and snagging a few minutes of sleep!
You don't get much individualized care at your weekly checkups unless you choose to see the same doctor or mid wife at each appointment (Yes, the Air Force has mid wives!). Seeing that there were a dozen doctor's I tried to see a different one as much as I could so that on delivery day I didn't have one I never met, which is exactly what happened. You get whoever is on duty. It was completely fine though because he did a fabulous job and I was extremely pleased with the whole experience.
As far as whether J is getting out of the military...it's looking more and more like YES. Now the question is when? I'll save that for another post when I find some time between nursing, changing yet another diaper, and snagging a few minutes of sleep!
Friday, April 12, 2013
J's 4 years are up
This winter marked the darkest number of days in Germany in over 60 years according to Yahoo News :) I believe it. We have made the best of it and took some weekend trips to cities nearby. I'm glad Germany has finally allowed spring to show up.
I'm 38 weeks pregnant and expecting our 4th little girl anytime now. I'm not eager for this little ones arrival. Life has been busy and I feel like I have much to do before she makes her debut. To add to my stresses J has thrown me a complete curve ball!
In May J's commitment will be up. He'll have served in the Air Force for 4 years. We can sign up for another 2 years in May and get a $20,000 bonus. OR, he could not resign but continue to work for the JAG through next summer when we're set to PSC (move) and then get out of the AF. OR, we could wait til next summer to accept an assignment to PSC to a new base but then we would gain another 2 year commitment and have forfeited the $20,000 bonus. If we want the bonus we have to say yes, NOW. Even if we say we want to stay in for 2 more years next summer we would have lost out on the bonus.
As of 4 months ago J and I both told people our "plan" was to make a career in the Air Force. J enjoys everything he does at work. There is not one good reason he can give as to why he is feeling like maybe he should get out but yet the feeling persists. When we talk about the pros and cons the only thing we can come up with is, if he were to get out he could specialize in a specific area and we wouldn't have to move around so often. Except, the moving around part we also view as a pro, at least I do. I like seeing new places, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures etc.
So it's decision time. I am grateful for prayer. It was prayer that changed my heart over 4 years ago from NOT wanting J to be a JAG to desiring no other job BUT the JAG. I have LOVED every minute and have been the HAPPIEST I have ever been in my life these past 4 years! With that said, I know the Lord has a plan for my family and if He tells us there is another path for us then we'll follow it because we trust Him.
It is scary because J has ZERO prospects. He hasn't been job hunting and we live overseas which makes that process even more difficult.
Maybe we won't get out of the Air Force (I'm crossing my fingers that we won't ;). Maybe these feelings J's having are just the natural course one takes when it's time to make a decision....to ponder other possibilities. We will see.
I'm 38 weeks pregnant and expecting our 4th little girl anytime now. I'm not eager for this little ones arrival. Life has been busy and I feel like I have much to do before she makes her debut. To add to my stresses J has thrown me a complete curve ball!
In May J's commitment will be up. He'll have served in the Air Force for 4 years. We can sign up for another 2 years in May and get a $20,000 bonus. OR, he could not resign but continue to work for the JAG through next summer when we're set to PSC (move) and then get out of the AF. OR, we could wait til next summer to accept an assignment to PSC to a new base but then we would gain another 2 year commitment and have forfeited the $20,000 bonus. If we want the bonus we have to say yes, NOW. Even if we say we want to stay in for 2 more years next summer we would have lost out on the bonus.
As of 4 months ago J and I both told people our "plan" was to make a career in the Air Force. J enjoys everything he does at work. There is not one good reason he can give as to why he is feeling like maybe he should get out but yet the feeling persists. When we talk about the pros and cons the only thing we can come up with is, if he were to get out he could specialize in a specific area and we wouldn't have to move around so often. Except, the moving around part we also view as a pro, at least I do. I like seeing new places, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures etc.
So it's decision time. I am grateful for prayer. It was prayer that changed my heart over 4 years ago from NOT wanting J to be a JAG to desiring no other job BUT the JAG. I have LOVED every minute and have been the HAPPIEST I have ever been in my life these past 4 years! With that said, I know the Lord has a plan for my family and if He tells us there is another path for us then we'll follow it because we trust Him.
It is scary because J has ZERO prospects. He hasn't been job hunting and we live overseas which makes that process even more difficult.
Maybe we won't get out of the Air Force (I'm crossing my fingers that we won't ;). Maybe these feelings J's having are just the natural course one takes when it's time to make a decision....to ponder other possibilities. We will see.
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Mrs Claus Affair
On Saturday and Sunday my little family delivered Christmas cheer to 9 women whose husbands are deployed right now. The Mrs Claus Affair raised $1200 and provided Christmas gifts to 17 women. It was such a wonderful experience for my family as we delivered gifts to these women who had no idea we were coming. Many tears were shed and much gratitude was exchanged. We thanked THEM for their sacrifice and their husbands service to our beloved country. Here are just a few responses women left us. (Some women weren't home so we left their gifts on the doorstep.
"My name is Jen. I live in Germany and just received some gifts on my door step. I want to apologize for not being able to get to the door. I was talking through skype with my husband who is deployed right now. I googled "Mrs. Clause Affair" and found who you guys are and your mission. It made me cry. :) Thank you for the thoughtfulness you guys bring. I am still very unsure how you got my name and address, but I am going to guess it was from my husband. :) I don't think there is anyone else that knows my address here. I didn't get to tell you thank you when you were here and I am sorry. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. "
"I came home today to find mystery packages in my driveway from Mrs. Claus Affair… So I googled it..." This is really touching!! Thank you thank you for making my day today by having mystery packages waiting for me!! So very excited to open them on Christmas Day! Very sweet!"
"You delivered gifts to my daughter and I today. I want to say a million thank-yous! This has been one rough week in particular, and you really put a smile on my face. I’m not used to anyone showing they care like this. We have been in the military 17 years and this has been the most caring squadron and group of people here in Germany we have ever been around. You are so sweet and thoughtful."
My friend Annie and her family delivered gifts to the other 8 women and I'm so grateful I have her as my friend and that we were able to pull this off. I'm grateful to each person who helped us raise money and wish each one of them could have seen the women as we embraced them with love and gifts.
This is what the Christmas Spirit is about. Seeking those who need to feel Christ love for them. Happy Holidays to each of you!
"My name is Jen. I live in Germany and just received some gifts on my door step. I want to apologize for not being able to get to the door. I was talking through skype with my husband who is deployed right now. I googled "Mrs. Clause Affair" and found who you guys are and your mission. It made me cry. :) Thank you for the thoughtfulness you guys bring. I am still very unsure how you got my name and address, but I am going to guess it was from my husband. :) I don't think there is anyone else that knows my address here. I didn't get to tell you thank you when you were here and I am sorry. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. "
"I came home today to find mystery packages in my driveway from Mrs. Claus Affair… So I googled it..." This is really touching!! Thank you thank you for making my day today by having mystery packages waiting for me!! So very excited to open them on Christmas Day! Very sweet!"
"You delivered gifts to my daughter and I today. I want to say a million thank-yous! This has been one rough week in particular, and you really put a smile on my face. I’m not used to anyone showing they care like this. We have been in the military 17 years and this has been the most caring squadron and group of people here in Germany we have ever been around. You are so sweet and thoughtful."
My friend Annie and her family delivered gifts to the other 8 women and I'm so grateful I have her as my friend and that we were able to pull this off. I'm grateful to each person who helped us raise money and wish each one of them could have seen the women as we embraced them with love and gifts.
This is what the Christmas Spirit is about. Seeking those who need to feel Christ love for them. Happy Holidays to each of you!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
This Colonel Rocks!
I wrote a post last year (that I later deleted) about J's then SJA (Colonel boss). It was no secret that he was not the most desirable SJA to say the least. Anyways, I wrote a post comparing our first SJA to our second one. It was night and day. The first one took the time to know not only J but our family. He made sure office functions happened with families, checked in with me personally etc. Then we came to Germany and had a completely different experience. The SJA had no idea who I was when I walked into the office nor took the time to hold office functions or helped facilitate office camaraderie, etc. I had a reader write me a lengthy comment saying how that is silly to compare the two because Germany's office is much, much larger and it's just plain impossible for an SJA to have the same kind of relationship with me or the Captain's as J's first SJA who was running a much smaller legal office.
Well J has had a new SJA since this summer and....HE IS AWESOME!! Just like our first SJA was. He knows my name, takes time to know our family (the whole office even threw me and two other wives a huge baby shower), holds regular family functions and cares about his Captain's. To top it off J gets a shopping day next week. Yes, his SJA is giving each Captain a free day off to go Christmas shopping!
My faith in amazing SJA's has been restored!
Well J has had a new SJA since this summer and....HE IS AWESOME!! Just like our first SJA was. He knows my name, takes time to know our family (the whole office even threw me and two other wives a huge baby shower), holds regular family functions and cares about his Captain's. To top it off J gets a shopping day next week. Yes, his SJA is giving each Captain a free day off to go Christmas shopping!
My faith in amazing SJA's has been restored!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Update regarding assignment choice
One of my readers who just got accepted to the JAG Corps had this to say.
"Also, in case you weren't aware of the changes, they now only provide one (instead of two) options for first base assignment. Also, I guess their policy now is to only give you 24 hours to decide. Thought there may be some others reading your blog who are interested to know that."
So be prepared when they call to make a quick decision.
"Also, in case you weren't aware of the changes, they now only provide one (instead of two) options for first base assignment. Also, I guess their policy now is to only give you 24 hours to decide. Thought there may be some others reading your blog who are interested to know that."
So be prepared when they call to make a quick decision.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The Mrs Claus Affair
Christmas 2011. My girlfriend and I sat with our families around the dining room table
gazing at the what remained of a perfectly fabulous holiday feast. Everything
about Christmas had been fantastically memorable; from the nativity skit
starring our children to the frantic last minute gift wrapping after tuck-ins.
The entire holiday was almost perfect. Almost. We had invited one of our
girlfriends to join us for Christmas dinner since she was not only newly wed,
but her husband was newly deployed and both their families were an ocean away.
"So what did your hubby get you this year?" I asked in my best
I'm-nosier-than-you-are tone. "Nothing," she replied. Wait, what? "What do you
mean nothing?" "Actually I did get a package from him in the mail this week but
it was something he'd bought himself and had shipped home..." What could we say
to that? This story has been repeated hundreds of times all over the world by
wives of service men deployed for the holidays. Deployments are hard enough on a
man. Throw in Christmas and shopping (which most men hate) with hundreds or
thousands of miles separating them from malls and families and what is the final
Christmas result? A nice phone call. Not a purse or a Kitchen Aid, no massage or
two months worth of housekeeping. Men who are fighting for our freedom don't
always have the time to make sure Santa remembers the sherpa lined boots or the
Brighton charm bracelet. That's where we come in. The Mrs. Claus Affair
is dedicated to taking care of the wives of deployed service men during the
holidays. We're not out to cure breast cancer (although that would be kind of
awesome) or build houses for the homeless, and we don't want to save the world.
But we do want to make sure that we teach our children the importance of serving
others, especially mothers and wives who are hoofing it alone and, in many
cases, have been overlooked. Our goal is to raise enough money through donations
and fundraisers to make Christmas something special for some of the women in our
local community. We don't need to save everyone, but we'd like to
make a real difference this Christmas for somebody. We want women to have
something to open on Christmas morning. We want them to feel remembered. Through
nominations we're hoping to find a list of women to bring together and celebrate
with this Christmas. Not through mass bulk gift giving, but something with a
more personal touch. We're more devoted to the experience than the numbers. And
if you don't live in our area and want to participate, join our movement by
locating a wife in your area and get her a gift to open on Christmas morning.
Just sign it, "The Mrs. Claus Affair" and send us a letter telling us about your
experience. Anyone can be involved. If you would like to donate or participate
in one of our local fundraisers, or if have someone to nominate, please contact
us at themrsclausaffair@gmail.com.
You can also vist TheMrsClausAffair.blogspot.com to donate!!
You can also vist TheMrsClausAffair.blogspot.com to donate!!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Air Force JAG Core still very competitive
This is a quick post to say hello and that I'm still alive! We found out that we are expecting a baby in the spring. Between being super sick and a crashed computer I have neglected the blog but hope to get on track again very soon.
On another note, it looks like the JAG Core is still very competitive. At the last JAG hiring board only 5% of those who applied were accepted. If you were part of that 5% be very grateful!
On another note, it looks like the JAG Core is still very competitive. At the last JAG hiring board only 5% of those who applied were accepted. If you were part of that 5% be very grateful!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
SOS = 8 weeks of My Man Gone
SOS is an 8 week course held in Montgomery, Alabama. Not everyone gets selected to go so your spouse may never have to complete it in residence (meaning attend the course in Alabama). Everyone has to complete it in correspondence though, which basically means via computer. For the Enlisted side having taken SOS in residence looks really good and will help them promote quicker. For Officer's it looks good but isn't essential. It definitely won't hurt you if you haven't completed SOS in residence. SOS is a course on the Air Force, it's mission, and leadership training. If you ask me, most days it sounds like the t.v. show Survivor! They complete missions, obstacle courses, team building games and the like. J is enjoying the break but he's ready to get home and start work again (or maybe he says that so I don't think he's having such a great time!).
J has been gone for 5 1/2 weeks now. I miss him terribly. Not simply because he's a STUD and I can't get enough of him as is, but because he's thousands of miles away and we can't talk on the phone often due to the time difference. Deployments and TDY's will happen, be prepared. 8 weeks is a long time and no matter how many spouses you meet in the military that say, "Ah, that's nothing," because their spouses may have deployed for 6+ months and laugh at your measly few weeks; it's STILL A LONG TIME. Sometimes all you need is to feel validated. I am grateful it's only 8 weeks (haha, you know you've been in the military long enough if you say only!) It hasn't been bad except for the missing his physical touch and presence in our lives. Always having people around you that have endured longer keeps you from complaining. Luckily I have great friends who are compassionate, always asking if I need anything. Which I don't but the fact that they care makes all the difference.
Keeping busy is such a blessing. The girls and I went on a 7 day cruise with friends and are headed on another week long vacation in 2 weeks. We'll get home the same day J does. Hey, J specifically told me he didn't want me sitting around all summer doing nothing! I know how to listen to My Man!
J has been gone for 5 1/2 weeks now. I miss him terribly. Not simply because he's a STUD and I can't get enough of him as is, but because he's thousands of miles away and we can't talk on the phone often due to the time difference. Deployments and TDY's will happen, be prepared. 8 weeks is a long time and no matter how many spouses you meet in the military that say, "Ah, that's nothing," because their spouses may have deployed for 6+ months and laugh at your measly few weeks; it's STILL A LONG TIME. Sometimes all you need is to feel validated. I am grateful it's only 8 weeks (haha, you know you've been in the military long enough if you say only!) It hasn't been bad except for the missing his physical touch and presence in our lives. Always having people around you that have endured longer keeps you from complaining. Luckily I have great friends who are compassionate, always asking if I need anything. Which I don't but the fact that they care makes all the difference.
Keeping busy is such a blessing. The girls and I went on a 7 day cruise with friends and are headed on another week long vacation in 2 weeks. We'll get home the same day J does. Hey, J specifically told me he didn't want me sitting around all summer doing nothing! I know how to listen to My Man!
Monday, May 14, 2012
JAG hiring board
In one of the most recent JAG hiring boards they had over 700 applicants to review. Out of those 700 the board only hired 25. In the last board to meet the hiring number was greater, which is a good sign. Either way, it's an extremely competitive time to get accepted right now. Try to stay optimistic. For those that recently got accepted...welcome to a grand new adventure!!
Do I have to wait for bar results before they can start the Medical Clearance process?
You can reference my post in November of 2009 regarding the timeline of getting started with the JAG core. J couldn't start the Medical Clearance until he had passed the bar. If I remember correctly, pretty much once they accepted him, contingent on him passing the bar, there wasn't a single thing further we could do but wait.
UPDATE: Looks like you can now be medically cleared before receiving your bar results.
UPDATE: Looks like you can now be medically cleared before receiving your bar results.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Taking 'Leave' aka Vacation time
J is leaving for 8 weeks this summer. Boo hoo for me. It will be a good break for him. It's more of a laid back course that doesn't involve real cases, clients, legal reviews or court martial. Thus he's looking forward to a break from the norm. With that said I have been a vacation planning machine! Since we'll be losing precious summer time with him, I planned a week for May in France, a week in August for Spain, and 10 days in September in Nice, France and Tuscany, Italy. We are spoiled, I know. But something is constantly looming over me...
Our good friends at our last base had 2 different vacations planned. Last minute, she had to cancel them because her husband had to work. He had the leave approved well in advance but as the date got closer, duty called. Granted he was an ADC and when you're put on a court that gets postponed and there's no flexibility, what can you do? Either way, I get nervous every time I book something that has a horrible cancellation policy. Even though we've been lucky and haven't had a problem thus far I still think how bummed I'd be. Although, I'm the selfish type that would likely still take the vacation without him. I mean, we won't be living in Europe forever! I have to make good use of our time. Heck, I'm taking my kids on a Baltic cruise in June when he's gone! After all, he doesn't want me sitting around at home bored all summer...right??
Our good friends at our last base had 2 different vacations planned. Last minute, she had to cancel them because her husband had to work. He had the leave approved well in advance but as the date got closer, duty called. Granted he was an ADC and when you're put on a court that gets postponed and there's no flexibility, what can you do? Either way, I get nervous every time I book something that has a horrible cancellation policy. Even though we've been lucky and haven't had a problem thus far I still think how bummed I'd be. Although, I'm the selfish type that would likely still take the vacation without him. I mean, we won't be living in Europe forever! I have to make good use of our time. Heck, I'm taking my kids on a Baltic cruise in June when he's gone! After all, he doesn't want me sitting around at home bored all summer...right??
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