[ QUOTE ]
honestly don't see how people are able to attend academies unless they have at least:
1) Parents able and willing to support them
2) A wife/girlfriend able to support them financially
[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, I think it's easier to throw down $40K in loans to go to an Academy if you're single.
From my POV, I could have done a lot more training wise (both post-college schooling and flight time) if I weren't married. Don't get my wrong I love being married, but the reality is that you have a lot more obligations if you have a family. You can't say, for example, "Well this week I'm eating Ramen for lunch, dinner, and maybe breakfast Tuesday." if you're married, and definately not if you have any rugrats.
On the other hand, my wife isn't working, she's in med school so maybe it's just tougher for us. But then again not everyone's wife works for that matter.
Marriage doesn't take your freedom away it just means that you have to look out for more than just you, and that unfortunately costs money.
My two cents.
Later.
Naunga