Okay...when two people have different career goals, can the relationship still work?

We are both in the military, and while I am going to get out after a few more years, she wants to do a full 20 (and has 14 to go). We are both in the medical field, and she is now able to do field work (i.e. Marines, Army, etc...) This means that she has the potential to be gone (from not only me, but her son, as well) every other year for the remainder of her time in...as for me, I'm happy doing the Nurse Practitioner thing in a civilian Family Practice. I no longer want to travel the world, or go play GI Joe. It's family time for me (after all...family should come first)...and I don't know if I can handle being a "Marine Wife." While I respect her decision to serve (I've done it, too), I believe in family more...and a cavalier attitude about deploying is the last thing I want to hear out of someone I love, and want to spend every day with. We've even said that we can't wait for the day when all we have to say to each other is see you after work...not see you in 14 years...Thoughts?

The military life is a hard one, true, but it takes a special person to dedicate their life to such a noble cause. I applaud you wife for her dedication and hope that you would find it in your heart to do what so many other military spouses do day in and day out.... support your spouse and love them unconditionally. There will be a time when war is over and things will get back to normal and all the hard work these men and women will be all worth it. They need families to come back to that are proud of them.

Yes, family comes first, but there is no family if we are not safe. I too hate the fact that my husband is missing out on our two little boys' changes and accomplishments and I so wish I could have my husband in bed with me every night... But as that bumper sticker says "Freedom is not Free" and I am proud that my sons will know that their Daddy is making sure that they are free to do what they wish with their lives and worship as they see fit.

"Go play GI Joe"? It's way more than that....

definitely there's millions that it is working with right now.

explain ur problem to her.i think u should be more open about her and ur views and sort it out.

you know its very hard to understand relationships like that but I do respect them;you have to be strong and be there mentally for her as well as your child but I do believe with love anything can work

I have never been in the military, but have known many who have served. I have seen many marriages break up over it too. I don't know either one of you, so I am not judging. Time and distance are very difficult things to deal with in a relationship. If you both have a strong Love for each other, then I say it will be tough, but you will be fine. Are you willing to move everytime her duty station changes? With the war going on, has she been deployed to Iraq for a year or more tour? If she is stationed at a base, and you both see each other everyday, there should be no problem. But, if she is gone for a year; you don't know what she is doing and vice versa. people get lonely.

Sorry to say this, but i dont believe it would work. I was married to a marine and did not like the marine's lifestyle. I hated the fact that he was away all the time. It was hard for a relationship to work when the other person is not there or always away. It would be much harder when kids are involved too. Its just not "REAL"

Yes, just because two people have two different dream doesn't mean they be together. You guys just have to support each other.............than everything would be right.