Our next PCS is consuming our lives right now.

Decisions have to be made sooner rather than later. It’s time to buckle down and have some serious discussions. I thought we had time to figure this out, but things are always changing. I shouldn’t be so surprised!

So many times these types of decisions have been out of our control and for once, the ball is in our court.  Picking a geographic location would be easy if we only had to consider the place.

But each location means a different job for my husband.  And each job has its pros and cons for our family. Instead of the original two options of Virginia or Florida, we have been given more options – which have really thrown us off.

With all of these different job opportunities, the big consideration is: where are the deployments and how long will we be apart? What is good for our family (no deployments) is not always the best for my husband’s career (combat billets).

I would almost rather have the Marine Corps decide for us, it would make things so much easier. We would have a future destination chosen and be able to begin researching our new area. Whatever difficulties came with the job we would handle. And if we were unhappy there, I could blame the Marine Corps instead of myself!

I am grateful that my husband includes me in these types of discussions and decisions.  Even though it’s his career, he respects my opinion. But ultimately, he has to be happy with what he is doing. 

As a military family, we learn to make a home wherever we go. Being together is what matters most, whether there are deployments or not. We were looking forward to another two years without combat deployments but some jobs have been presented to my husband which might be a once in a lifetime kind of deal. But these jobs also mean deployments. Considering future deployments brings lots of questions:

Could I handle being a single parent with a 1- and 3-year-old?

Would it be better for the boys if Dad was away while they were young or when they were older?

Would I stay on base or go back to New York to be with our families?

Would I go back to school or wait?

The list is endless. And I can’t help but think about our boys. At the end of our life, when our kids are grown and we are old and gray, will these sacrifices be worth it?

I am beginning to feel overwhelmed by it all. I really thought I would be able to focus on the right now. But this big decision is taking over us both.

We keep talking in circles. I hope in the next few days something will come along and steer us towards the right choice. In the mean time, I will keep on making our home here and prepare for our new home, wherever that may be.

Stay tuned.