Little background - I'm 31, wife of 8 years and two high-functioning autistic boys. I've been working in retail management for 9 of the past 11 years and landscaping for the other two, a few years back. I'm miserable in my work and feel that I'm wasting it all away. I'm good at it, and I've been prepping for my next level of management for some time, but I recently told my boss that I am no longer pushing to advance in a career path that I really don't care for and truthfully plan to leave eventually. He understands and I'm just continuing to do great work for him in my current capacity, but if I change my mind, the door is still open. I hate myself for doing this for 10 years, and another 10 years would be unforgivable.
Anyway, after careful consideration and talking it over with the family, I want to make a career in The Air Force. I've been looking at going back to school for something in the aeronautical industry, as I don't have more than a homeschooling HS education, but the prospect of doing retail to support the family for another 4+ years while I go to school and then hoping I can get a job in a field that I love, is an imposing and unlikely proposition.
Regardless, I've always had the "I should have joined back when I was young" mentality, and this seems like it is something that could work and fulfill to some degree, two of my big dreams. I don't want 4 years, I want a career that I love and can feel proud of.
So with no college credits to speak of, but a passion for the military and anything that flies, a brain that everyone says is brilliant and 10 years of leadership/management experience under my belt..... is this a good plan?
I have no idea what kind of MOSs I'd be looking at, but honestly I need to be there for my wife and kids as much as a military job will permit. I'm not looking to go overseas, and would need my work to be domestic. If my boys weren't special needs, it would be a much different story, but it is what it is at this point.... Is this plausible?
Any Air Force members or recruiters that can give me some feedback? I'm looking for some realistic expectations, and haven't spoken with a recruiter yet, as I've been warned that I should probably only believe ~1/3 of what they feed me. Some honesty from those in the know would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.