To become an officer you have to attend the 44 wk commissioning course at The Royal Academy Sandhurst. For the first 5 weeks of training you wouldn't be able to see your family but after that depending on training you could see more of your family - you're just incredibly busy and exhausted. Lots of serving soldiers (both male and female) who become officers attend Sandhurst with children. The first year (during training) would be the most difficult. After you commission, if your family wants to move with you then the Army just becomes a 'normal' job. In most jobs you can take your children to school, have every weekend off for example. There may be times you have to deploy on exercise or Operations or you may have to attend a course away from home but lots of people manage a family and army life. The Army has a very active 'Parents Network' which fully supports Army parents.

26 May, 2021 19:48