Lifestyle - Air Force Pilot V. Marine Aviator?

Question

I am currently working for a Def Con as a project manager. I have a BA, a fairly high GPA, exemplary test scores, and am currently finding my work more and more unfulfilling. Working for a Def Con I have decided to become either a Marine Aviator or Air Force Pilot. However this is where the problems start mounting. I have an older girlfriend who recently retired from the Air Force and is now looking for some stability. Her work will allow her to work remotely, so we’re lucky there. And moving bases every couple years is, of course, par for the career, as are deployments. However, after training I would like a decent work/home life balance. I realize that especially with an aviator position you aren’t going to have normal hours but I still want to come home to cook dinner and would like to pick the service that will allow me to have a fairly stable home life with her. I have heard from my Air Force friends that with exception to deployments the Air Force basically operates as a commercial airliner for transport pilots, and with exception to alerts that fighter pilots basically have a 9-5. However, the Marine combat training interests me, but I don’t regularly want to be on a carrier 3 months out of every year. Does anyone have any information on the day to day life of a Marine Combat Aviator? What their normal routine is, how long they spend on carriers – or if they normally just operate out of their Air Station?

Also, during OCS and more so during TBS, how is the class structured? Do you have any leave while training, or ample time in the off hours for phone calls?

One last thing, the Marine Aviator training how is it structured? As a 9-5, or something more 24/7 like TBS?

Answer 1

Well, your friends obviously didn't fly for a living.  Heavy crews are gone frequently-in fact their TDY load is probably higher than the fighter community.  Let me be frank:  if you're more concerned about home stability and being home every night-you don't want to be in the military; regardless of branch.  You will be deployed-you will do remote tours; you will go TDY to exercises etc.  

I just don't think you're going to be a good fit.

Of course you could be a missileer, and spend your career moving from ND to WY to NE, with maybe a stop in CO...

EDIT:  Another possibility is UAV "pilot" which means pretty much your whole career spent at Creech AFB, NV or Canon AFB NM...

Answer 2

If you don't want to be on a carrier I suggest the air force.