Military?

I want to be an Optometrist. I currently work for one now, and couldn't see myself being happy doing anything else. Unfortunately, the price tag that comes with that education is around $150,000. I have been mulling this over for quite a while now, and I still haven't made up my mind, but I think I might join the military. The military will pay for me to go to optometry school, if I commit to being an optometrist for them for either 3 or 4 years. It is actually a great deal, probably a great life changing experience, and I would be doing what I love.

I am not a stranger to the military. I am a Navy brat. My Dad was in the Navy, his father was career Air Force, my other grandfather was in the Navy, my cousin is in the Army and two of my best friends are overseas currently with the Air Force. I know what I would be sacrificing. I'm not scared of the sacrifices that I would have to make, I am worried about two things: not being able to give the best care possible, and leaving my little brother.

Both of my good friends who are overseas (Iraq and Kuwait) wear glasses. Both of them are trying to make do with inadequate eyewear. My friend, Stephen, who is just north of Baghdad, can't wear sunglasses. He can't wear his contacts because of all of the dust and the military won't issue him prescription sunglasses or even glasses with a transitions lens. How stupid is that, he is in the middle of the desert. My friend Joe in Kuwait has some of the most poorly made glasses that I have ever seen. They use the cheapest materials possible. He is a non-destructive inspector, which I've gathered really means he makes sure that planes and helicopters are structurally soud for flight. I don't know about you, but I would want him to see to the best of his ability. I know having to issue things like that would frustrate the hell out of me.

My other resevation is my little brother. He is only 10 and he is the most important thing in my life. In many ways, I am more like his mom than a big sister. Quite honestly, the thought of leaving him terrifies me. I have been the main positive female influence in his life, and I don't want him to lose that. My mom's poor decision making already gives me enough to have to try and undo. Adding a geographical barrier between me and him, would only make things harder. For that alone, I would be willing to pay off much more than $150,000.

I still have a lot more thinking to do and I have plenty of time to do it. I haven't yet talked to a recruiter, or even narrowed down which branch I would be interested in. I guess this is me just thinking and typing about what could be one of the biggest decisions in my life.