Well, let me start off by saying to you Welcome to the CG family, The first thing about basic is make sure you can swim and that you are physically fit. Now if you fail certian aspects they do something called reverting and you are held back and you pick up with a new class, make sure you keep your nose clean give them no reason to know your there other than in a postive way. One thing about he CG is we are so small you will see alot of those same drill sargents and shipmates again in your time as a coastie.  Now the question of Marriage .. Well lets start by saying this your releationship must be strong and there is no better test than basic because you are really cut off for the world, you will not be allows to call home or write for like the first two weeks so that will test the releationship for sure. Next is yes there are challanges because of the possible ship time and that is based on the rate you have chosen. You wife must be a strong independant woman that can ignor the temptaions on being alone and be driven enough to better her self while your gone.  You will need her support ALOT in your time as a coastie. You will need to talk about the commitment before you leave, the last thing you want is a DEAR John in Basic. And No there is no branch of the service right now that is a cake walk to have a wife and family in. We know we are 6 years prior Army family. The CG is the best for all of that and the support groups are there when the service member is away. I hope this helps, good luck and god bless and SWIM SWIM SWIM RUN RUN RUN before you leave you will be thankful for the advise soon.