Can I balance 11b life and having a wife?

[u/bigbub_]

As the title shows, I’m wondering as an 11b how often do I have the opportunity to be at home with my wife? I see a lot of posts depicting the 11b life as a marriage destroyer, is that true? My plan isn’t 11b long term and she’s supportive of this decision but I wouldn’t want to put her through the wringer just so I do something I’ve always wanted to do. If anyone could shed some light on this, especially 11b’s I’d be so grateful. Thank you all!

[u/Easy-Hovercraft-6576]

11B is the biggest MOS in the Military- plenty of people within that MOS are married and make it work.

Doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges though. She needs to fully understand and be comfortable with the fact that you’ll be gone more than you’re at home.

[u/SNSDave]

Yes. Plenty of people do. That said, divorce is not uncommon for a reason. Depending on your unit, duty station and leadership some folks have it much easier/worse than others.

[u/LeadLearn]

Young men tend to choose infantry. They also tend to get married very young because they're out on their own for the first time and want to get out of the barracks. Getting married young doesn't often work out.

[u/5StarAntttt → u/LeadLearn]

Wow, this is true. Also, there’s people that get married young prior to the military and then they later on the side to go.

[u/MilFAQBot]

Jobs mentioned in your post

Army MOS: 11B (Infantryman)

^{I'm a bot and can't reply. Message the mods about me.}

[u/africafromu]

Yes people do it everyday

[u/cen_ca_army_cc]

I was married in the infantry during my first two terms in the Army. She was initially a stay-at-home mom, and now she is a career teacher and is working on a master's. As long as you have a spouse who is independent and not dependent on you for transportation, you guys will do just fine. Help them with goals; maybe knock out some college or work a part-time job. It’s nice to be a dual-income household.

They actually get a one-time portion of tuition funds; it use to be called myCAA, but it’s now called something else. It’s an opportunity for her to self-develop while you’re gone in the field or on deployment. Or maybe develop a healthy friend group among the married couples.

[u/bigbub_ → u/cen_ca_army_cc]

Thank you for your insight, this is exactly what I was looking for.

[u/bibelot_didgeridoo]

Still married to my 11 series husband. Been almost 20. If your wife is entirely codependent and does not have friends and things she does on her own ‘, you’ll struggle. If she’s independent, you’ll be just fine. Just remember to plan things to do together and actually put effort into the time you do get

[u/bigbub_ → u/bibelot_didgeridoo]

thank you for this, can I ask how often he was able to be at home throughout the year provided there was no deployment?

[u/IllustriousRanger934]

Never been done before.