Rank is payrate - E-1, E-2, etc. Rate is his "job" or AM in his case. Later I will see about having my husband post some information for you under my profile, he is familiar with aviation rates and duties your husband may get, possibility of sea duty/shore duty, deployments and so forth.

The AM rating are the airframe mechanics. They work on the structure of the aircraft, hydraulics, brakes, etc. Pretty much everything except the engines and the electronics. It is excellent training that could allow him to get a civilian A&P (airframes and powerplants) license. He will will work long hard hours, but he will learn a trade that he can use anywhere with aircraft.

There are aircraft that do not deploy for long periods. Those are found in the VR community. They are in the Naval Air Reserve component. If he did not join as a full-time reservist, he will not be headed there. There are other squadrons that do not deploy. These squadrons are primarily for training and test. They have need for AMs, and he would have a chance at one of these. It isn't a large chance, since these represent a small section of NavAir, but performance in school may help him, IF there are orders to one of these squadrons available. Those orders would not be for longer than 3 years and he would be headed to a deploying squadron after this. Except for the Reserves, there is no way for an AM to avoid deployments.

The most likely outcome for him after graduation is being assigned to a deploying squadron (known as Sea Duty). The vast majority end up in this path because it is what the Navy is there for. Naval Aviation projects power. That isn't something you do by staying home. Not all of those Sea Duty squadrons deploy on the boats. Some are shore based, but still deploy. P-3s, and soon P-8s, are examples of this. They are too large for the boat, but deploy to bases around the world for 6 months at a time, with 12 months home between deployments. After those, you're looking at squadrons that deploy with the boats. In such squadrons their schedule is primarily tied to the boat's schedule. This will be a good bit more hectic than P-3s and P-8s, but he will see more of the world this way. all deployments have their own challenges and rewards, but it is the life in Naval Aviation.

(this info posted by my husband)

Some commands that used to be considered non-deploying because only a few people from the squadron went on det for a few months (usually about 4 months) are now deploying meaning that they can be gone from 6 months+.

Danielle it is easy for Sailors to hear that they could possibly work it out that they won't deploy or not understanding things like a non-deploying command does still go away for months at a time. You and your spouse need to be prepared to be apart for a good portion of his enlistment so that when you are together you can cherish that time.

Kathy

I don't think I'll be able to handle a long deployment, I'm not emotionally strong enough for that.

You need to prepare for it. What you have gone through is just part of it and you have made it so far. With a child and a spouse in the military you do have to be ready to be both parents to that child at times. Really consider getting some counseling, because of things in your past that have happened, it can be free through Military One Source. Also look to make some other friends who can help you deal with it, but do not depend on them for absolutely everything and anything. The Command he is assigned to might have a FRG - Family Readiness Group but definitely should have an Ombudsman. Take the COMPASS class offered for free through Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) and then see what other classes are offered like budgeting, buying a car, etc..

The first thing you have to do is stop saying what you cant handle. Especially now that you are a mom. As the lady of the house, its our responsibility to make things work and make the impossible happen. My husband is not gone for long periods of time, but I was seperated from him for 6 months and yes distance can be hard. RIght now Im pregnant so Im up and down emotionally. I so bad sometimes want to get babied by my husband and tell him how awful I feel about him not being here with me or missing the first dr appointment. Instead, when I talk to him, I let him know that everything is under control: bills are paid, money in the bank, Ive gone shopping, my DS is trying to give me a hard time, but I have him under control, Im tired everyday, but Im taking my vitimins so its all good, I called and cheked on MIL, she doing great! you know just the basics. I also let him know me and DS are doing fun things around town and base. We arent bored. I do let him know that I miss him very much and I cant wait for him to come home. BUt the key is, I let him know that when he is on the ship, the last thing he has to worry about is home. My husband job is already stressful enough because his poor ship is on its last leg and his working days are long. I can hear the frustration over the email and messages, so I put him at ease as best I can. If you are negative when you talk to your husband, it will most definitly show through his work. He already has enough on his plate being away from you and missing you, but please dont put something else on his plate, he worrying if you have a handle on things while he is away. THere is no telling how his shipmates are and I assure you, his higher-ups are probably on his back since he is a newbie...Now is a goood time to dig deep and find some confidence somewhere. Your baby and husband are going to need it.

You can do it, there are plenty of us who do and it isn't always easy but you manage. If you always think negatively it will be bad, think on the positive side and it will be better. You never know just how strong you are until you are challenged. I'm not going to tell you it is all sunshine and daisies, but this can be a really rewarding lifestyle. You can have the chance to meet so many people you wouldn't have normally, see places you normally wouldn't have seen, experience so much of life that civilians just can't comprehend. The pride you feel when he comes home from a deployment, the sleepless nights worrying but somehow you keep going as if everything is fine for the kids' sakes, the fun you have putting together care packages or making homecoming signs with the kids. There are high highs and low lows, but they even out and you learn how to navigate, how to handle everything and one day you will wonder why you worried about this stuff. I know it seems overwhelming right now, but take it a day at a time, wait to get settled in with him, take the COMPASS class, get involved with the spouse support group when he gets to his first command and just dive in and go with it.

One thing to keep in mind as well, is that you have made it this far. You have obviously accomplished a lot so you can continue on and get through deployment. Yes there is going to be some days that you break down because we all have them, but then you just pick yourself up and get going again.

I don't think I'll be able to handle a long deployment, I'm not emotionally strong enough for that.

Like everyone else said, you'll get through it. One way to look at it, is you don't have a choice. You can resent your husband for it, or you can put that aside and embrace the challenge. Cherish your time together, work on your marriage so its strong when he's away, and take things one day at a time.