I am going to the careers office in Pompy next week...

[SmallShips]

to see about joining back up. I must be mad.

Anyone got any advice about both of us serving? Anyone else gone back in?!

Bumping for you.

Hi smallships, I am in gosport! I left the army in may last year after serving 8 years as a nurse. I spent most of my service working in a tri service establishment. If I had my time again I would join the RAF as they treat their personnel the best, also dont feel under pressure at the recruitment place to join up in a trade you are unsure about as they do have to recruit numbers for each trade, it makes them look good. feel free to ask for anymore advice and good luck

Hi Zoe. I did think about joining the RAF, but i was told that they or the Navy would not take into account the other party IYSWIM?

I've got 2 trades to look at, Medical Assistant or back to my old branch (Mine Warfare), so hopefully won't have issues with either.

Just wondering really how hard it is, to have both serving and do they really think about the DC when it comes to drafting. My DH is quite senior in his branch and has been told he will be the priority when it comes to going to sea etc (doesnt bother me though).

How did you find it, were you away from your DC at all and if so how was it?! So many questions .

Hi Smallships, I left because of my DS he is 2.8years. As I was in the army I was expected to move every 2-3 years, something I did not want to do with a child. JSP 33 or 99 can't remember which states they will only endeavour not to deploy both parents to the same place,they can however deploy at the same time. As for postings I believe the Navy seems fairer as you can swap drafts something which the army does not do. I did spend 6 months on high readiness in 2007, however I was a single parent at the time and did not have anyone to look after my DS if I had gone,I did not like waiting for that phonecall to go. My CO at the time in Portsmouth told me if I got deployed and I had childcare issues to go to welfare! then I would not be made to deploy. I have got friends who are single parent have stayed in and still deployed, DC's end up staying with grandparents and end up thinking their the mum and dad. I was not in the position to have a parent look after DC.

I would in the future consider joining the RAF and sending my DS to boarding school, dont rate the schools in gosport much.

How old are DC's then?

DS is 2.9 and DD is 11mo.

I've been having a think about it and tbh i'm just feeling a bit stuck in a rut atm and feeling like i need to get back out there. Will wait until DD is a bit older, DH has 4 years left i can always re-join then if i still fancy it, although might still go see the chief at the careers office and see what they have to say regarding drafts and shore/sea time.

I know lots of people who do it and manage, but i can't risk us both deploying whilst they're still so little.

So much to think about!