At your age, look into the reserves. There's always opportunities to cross over to active duty later, but not the other way around.
On AD, be prepared for .mil to dictate the major facets of your life - where you live, what you do, when you can do what. If you're cool with that, then great. If not, reserves is what you should look at as it is far more flexible. First enlistment duty station dream sheets are just that, a dream. They will put you where they want, not where you want to be.
THE MANY BEER RAMBLE ALERT: What Redmanss said. I'm not a vet, nor have I played one on TV, but I do know several who have done 20+ & 22+ year career service in the Navy and Army,... both enlisted NCO's and officers. From what I gather, the reserves will allow you some flexibility that an active duty assignment never will. None of the active duty vets I know speak-well of their duty once they had a family, and most didn't have a family when they enlisted. You have a family and you owe it to your wife and child to provide as stable an environment and upbringing as possible,... and that doesn't necessarily mean the stability of a government paycheck. Money has little to do with happiness although it can make its' pursuit easier, it means little if you're not doing what you want. If you want money, move to a growing economy (ND, TX,...etc.), Get a job, Learn a trade, learn the ropes, and work your ass off,... Personally, I've learned that making a good living has more to do with learning the in's and outs of providing great 'customer service' than it does anything else. I've been in commission sales for 15-years. That's right, ALL of my paycheck comes from my sales,... it's easier than you think. Learn and master customer service, and you'll do fine - employers are always looking for people that are 'customer-focused' and those that are, rise up the ranks the fastest. Honesty, integrity, follow-through, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to see happy customers is all that you need. Don't get me wrong, these traits aren't genetically endowed, it's a mind-set. I'm a firm believer in
"fake it 'til you make it". If you're havin' a bad day,...
STOP HAVING A BAD DAY! It's
ALL mindset. Once you learn to ACT as if you're the happiest, most upbeat person on the block, EVERYONE will treat you that way and be drawn to you. They'll tell you things they would NEVER tell their spouse, parent, boss, etc. - believe me, I know it from experience. Learn to engage people, ask questions, be interested in them,... show empathy by sharing similar stories/trials from your own life and they can't help but fill you in on what they want. When I say people, I mean your friends, their parents, your wife's folks, your boss, your kids teacher,...etc. EVERYONE! They will all think you're a great guy and begin treating you as such, and sharing their insights as they will want you to do well for yourself and your family. Once you learn how to get people talking, you'll learn to steer your presentation to match. I've rambled enough,... No matter your choice/path, I wish you well,... Let me know if there is anything I can do to help... I need another beer,... NOT!
Ry