[Old-old-Ivy]

If I was to join the the army or navy (undecided) would I be able to keep Eagle? Are there services that helps pet owners who decide to serve?
If anyone here is or was in the army/ navy with a pit bull can you tell me your experience please?

[arerrurrY]

As far as I have heard (not positive on this) If you live on base you cannot have a pit bull or mix.

The local news here in Az just did a story the other night about some fostering agencies that will take a service members dog while deployed and return them to you when you get back. Don't know much other than that. I would just try and google it and see if anything comes up in your area.

[Arrecteve]

Depends on your Post Commander and whether or not you stay on post. Yes the Military has banned pit bulls on post but those rules are also at the discretion of the Post Commander. If you don't stay on post then you would just have to have a back up plan just in case you came up on orders, got deployed or had to PCS some where that has a State or County BSL.

[fluistulkn]

Dave your in AZ too! Cool

[Old-old-Ivy]

Damn why is every thing so freaking strict with this damn breed!!! (Well I know whyy) I really really wanna join the armed forces and right now I'm leaning more towards the army because there's careers with animals there but I realllly don't wanna abandon eagle... its so not fair

[L8fGLM4d]

That's a real pickle. I've got experience with the AF while my brother was Navy. I didn't go Navy because I didn't want to get stuck on a ship or sub for months. I commend people who do though.

With the AF...if you weren't married...you pretty much got stuck living on base until you reached a certain rank. I imagine that is the same for all branches so you need to do your own homework on pit restrictions (dont' count on everythign a recruiter says).

[TimoPizaz]

i live on base and pits are out. but you don't have to live in housing you can live off base. some bases say no large breeds. but where i am at no pits, gsd, husky , labs, rotts. but they allow you to have a american bulldog

[michael247]

you can have whatever you want as long as you don't live on base. we used to bring Peanut on base all the time and let him play in the fields he loved it and people all loved him. He even stayed in my husband's temp barracks while i attended a spouses pre-deployment meeting. then one day we went to bring him on base and the MP told us we couldn't and told us of the DoD breed ban (this was October 2009) and even the MP was upset by this.
If you do enlist the you may not get to live with Eagle for a little while until you reach at least E-3 or get married...until then you would have to live in barracks that don't allow pets anyways or bachelor quarters. As far as I know both the USMC and Army (husband was a Marine that became a soldier) do not allow pitbulls on base any longer.

here is info on the Department of Defense breed bans.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/21381

[primaveraloler]

weve worked just fine with it. just need backup plans (family members to help out, friends thatll take the dog for a while, etc) if you deploy, there are services that people do to watch deployed members dogs for them.

Foster Home Program

[SaraKonradtt]

As far as I know both the USMC and Army (husband was a Marine that became a soldier) do not allow pitbulls on base any longer.

This is the same thing I've heard. I'd imagine the other branches will soon follow. Not o mention there are bases in BSL areas...and there are countries that have those bans as well.

As others have said, unless you're married or going with a rank that doesn't require you to stay in the dorms/barracks you're pretty much screwed and unable to keep Eagle.

Have you considered the guard or the reserves?

[Old-old-Ivy]

That's a real pickle. I've got experience with the AF while my brother was Navy. I didn't go Navy because I didn't want to get stuck on a ship or sub for months. I commend people who do though.

With the AF...if you weren't married...you pretty much got stuck living on base until you reached a certain rank. I imagine that is the same for all branches so you need to do your own homework on pit restrictions (dont' count on everythign a recruiter says).

Yea that's the reason I'm pushing more towards the army. I don't want to get stuck on a boat id rather jump from a plane lol. (And I'm afraid of heights) I spoke with my older cousin (army) today whose in Iraq and he's telling me the pros and cons and I'm really still pushing towards the army.

---------- Post added at 02:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

you can have whatever you want as long as you don't live on base. we used to bring Peanut on base all the time and let him play in the fields he loved it and people all loved him. He even stayed in my husband's temp barracks while i attended a spouses pre-deployment meeting. then one day we went to bring him on base and the MP told us we couldn't and told us of the DoD breed ban (this was October 2009) and even the MP was upset by this.
If you do enlist the you may not get to live with Eagle for a little while until you reach at least E-3 or get married...until then you would have to live in barracks that don't allow pets anyways or bachelor quarters. As far as I know both the USMC and Army (husband was a Marine that became a soldier) do not allow pitbulls on base any longer.

here is info on the Department of Defense breed bans.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/21381

About how long does it take to get to that ranking? (I know its different timing for different people but in general) I know my mom will watch her while I'm in basic. I know she wouldn't give away my dog but I always want to make sure she has the best care and my mommy can be a slacker at times lol. So I have to find a back-up also. And I'm definitly not married nor do I plan on being so anytime soon. Lol

---------- Post added at 02:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:00 PM ----------

weve worked just fine with it. just need backup plans (family members to help out, friends thatll take the dog for a while, etc) if you deploy, there are services that people do to watch deployed members dogs for them.

Foster Home Program

Thanks for the link imma look at that! Do you think its selfish of me that I don't want to give her away? I mean she's just a pup but I just can't, espically after what happened to lucky in florida .

---------- Post added at 02:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:03 PM ----------

This is the same thing I've heard. I'd imagine the other branches will soon follow. Not o mention there are bases in BSL areas...and there are countries that have those bans as well.

As others have said, unless you're married or going with a rank that doesn't require you to stay in the dorms/barracks you're pretty much screwed and unable to keep Eagle.

Have you considered the guard or the reserves?

You mean the coast guard? To be honest I really don't know that much of what they do! Lol. I'm looking around but you know how you have to dig to get under what they cover up so it doesn't scare you from joining. And I don't know anyone in that branch that I can ask about it from.
The other reason I'm leaning more to the army is because that branch has the most job where you can work with animals.
I have to lose a bit of weight first and manage to learn to do more than 3 push ups so I have time to still research everything. But I really have to make sure eagles set first. I won't go until I know she's set.

[primaveraloler]

no, its not selfish. i shipped phoenix from wa to keep him, and i will be moving all of my dogs pretty soon, i dont get rid of my dogs. lol

[michael247]

its really great that you are looking into the military and that you are considering Eagle in this decision as well. I do not think it is selfish for you to want to keep your dog just because you want to enlist in the military. i would talk to people you know like interview them see if they would be good foster homes while you are away you may still need to provide them with funds for Eagle's care while you are away and that usually makes it easier.

My husband was active duty Marine Corps he did 5 years. we didn't have to give up much because he was mostly deployed over those 5 years so I have stayed with my family to save money. Also, while he was in the Marine Corps Peanut was still allowed on bases.
After his EAS from the Marine Corps he missed the military and wanted to go back in the Marines were not taking prior service so he decided to go Army they were only taking reserves so that is what we are doing now and Peanut is not allowed on their bases the army is where we were turned away for having Peanut in the car and found out about the new rules.

as far as gaining rank it depends. (i am just a spouse i don't know for everyone) i jsut know that my husband has been trying to hold E-5 for a while so he can maybe qualify for some stuff. they want him to go to E-6 but he wants to wait.

[primaveraloler]

if i remember correctly, no matter what, you have to be in for 3 years or married in the AF, dont quote me on that, its been a while lol

[michael247]

yeah and the military is always changing!

you can always go on www.military.com and see if you can get some answers to questions

[primaveraloler]

yes, its very hard to find out whats truth and whats out of date, specially when you got half the members not knowing, or their info being old, oh god and then finance doesnt know squatt either. hate those tards

[SaraKonradtt]

You mean the coast guard?

No, the national guard. They can fall under the Army/Air Force-depending on which you pick. The difference between the guard and a reservist is that the national guard is controlled by the state-which means, you'd likely stay where you enlist...and the reservist is controlled by the actual Army/AF and they'll send you where ever they want. The reason I say you'll "likely stay where you enlist" is because if the Army/AF really needs you to go somewhere-they'll send you.

[michael247]

yeah i am going off my old Marine Corps info and just learning the Army...and as a spouse you learn as you go rather then just direct info from chain of command.

Also, i do beleive each branch does things a lot different then each other. Best thing to do is talk to each branch you are interested in and see which you think you will fit best in (and who is still accepting new members)

[primaveraloler]

No, the national guard. They can fall under the Army/Air Force-depending on which you pick. The difference between the guard and a reservist is that the national guard is controlled by the state-which means, you'd likely stay where you enlist...and the reservist is controlled by the actual Army/AF and they'll send you where ever they want. The reason I say you'll "likely stay where you enlist" is because if the Army/AF really needs you to go somewhere-they'll send you.

correct, you have to volunteer opposed to being told.

[Chubrehege]

I'm not up to par on my military knowledge, but I do live in military central (near Norfolk, VA), and know that Pit Bulls are banned on all bases/military housing.

My BF is a gov. contractor.. he gets the best of both worlds, basically.. gets to work on the ships, gets to travel all over the world, gets paid really well (good benefits and per diem when he travels), but doesn't have to deal with all the military rules and whatnot. He loves it.