``Wherever he wants to go, we'll pay,'' says [Scott Livingston]. ``Education is a big priority with us.'' Scott, a native of Massachusetts, graduated from Westfield State College, in Westfield, Mass. [Diane] has a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola. They hope to have more children.

They've chosen to put Diane's career ahead of Scott's. As soon as Diane gets orders to move, Scott applies for a transfer to a Defense department office near Diane's new base. ``We're lucky, because Diane's skill pretty much guarantees she'll go to one of the large naval installations where there's almost certainly a DOD office nearby,'' Scott says.

In 8 1/2 years, Diane will have spent 20 years in the Navy. She will then be able to receive annual retirement pay equal to half her base pay. Then Scott can concentrate on moving up the government's pay ladder. Diane, meanwhile, will take a few years off, then get a part-time job.