I am away for about 10 months of the year at the moment as an Army Pilot.
I have been out of the system for a while now too. I was with trg cmd from late 2002-2003 and attatched to AMTDU until mid '04 before discharge so I did not go to MEAO (not disapointed). The tempo was high before that with Timor and RAMSI but that is crazy talk!
I had family and friends in the Navy at the time and they were away all the time. I have lost contact with most now due to various reasons but I remember most wanting to leave (even inter-service) for that reason. The results of the DA surveys always seemed to back this up. That is a long time away from home, I don't know how you do it. I never did love it and was always looking to move on. I can't imagine even being in with a family. Good luck
pOf: I know you are only defending your choices so I wont bite.