2 years...

We have a grand plan, my husband and I.  We have plotted the "ideal" path for his Marine Corps career, and our family.  He has attained Lt Col command, which was at one time, the ultimate goal.   We figured that we would wait to see if he is selected for Top Level School after his command (summer 08).  If he did get selected for school, he thinks he would have a fair chance at making Colonel.  If things went this way, we would be looking at a potential of at least 6 or so more years in the Marine Corps.  However, things have changed a little regarding his command - an Iraq mission his BN had been training for since June has been given to another BN, out of Hawaii.  My husband is disappointed to say the least!  He is trying to get another mission for 2/10, but if he is not able to, then they will probably "roll up" 2/10 and send Tim to Iraq as part of the Division staff for a year.  He would be a commander without a command.  Upon his return from Iraq, if things happen this way, he would have 5-6 months left as CO of  2/10, but 2/10 would not be a complete BN.  This is a position he's waited for his entire Marine Corps career, and now he is talking about retiring in two years if things go the way he fears they will.  So, for the last week my mind has been spinning on "what ifs".  I actually think it might be nice if he could retire and get a job that would afford him more family time - maybe time to teach CCD, and/or coach the kids' sports teams.  Entire weekends as a family.  Of course, we would all miss the life we've known - and the benefits such as living on base, and all it has to offer would be a big thing to lose.  Maybe in two years, we'll be ready for such a change.  We shall see.