How did you prioritize career, SMs and family? Did it work?

It is a hard balancing act to pull off. Your family is pulling you for your time. Your job and SM's require your time too. If you neglect one too much you could end up losing out on your family, your career, or the respect of your peers. The type of command you have also makes a big difference. I don't think there's a really solid answer. I think it's dependent on the individual situation.

Not Exactly... Lost my ass 3 times...

For the first few years I was on Active Duty, I prioritized the Air Force before my family. I convinced myself that this set of priorities was making an important sacrifice for the country I loved. After about 4 years, I realized the AF really didn't care, so I reprioritized to God, Family, AF. That worked out and led me to several great assignments and a strong family. I am talking about strategic priorities such as selecting an assignment to pursue. For example, my wife was diagnosed with MS during our fourth year of my first assignment. I could have stayed in the C-130 world by taking an overseas or CONUS assignment to a C-130 squadron (the Wing I was in was being closed). Instead I applied to be a Pilot Training Instructor. This assignment allowed me to be "home for dinner" every night giving me more time with he family. I also attended the Air Force Flight Safety Officers Course, setting me up for a prized MAJCOM Headquarters job later on, and I started my Masters Degree. Day-to-day the AF had to come first sometimes as a condition of continued employment. I did miss some important family events, but not too many. Fortunately my wife understood the difference between the big stuff and small stuff and provided outstanding support. I carried these priorities into the private sector and found putting "the job" after family was still high enough priority to guarantee continued employment, reasonable advancement, and a happy family. Over time, more and more of my peers and supervisors recognized the importance of this same set of priorities--possibly because we all gained life experience and perspective. When I went into Government civilian service, the family-first priority was shared with many of my fellow civilians. The generous sick leave, family leave, and regular leave programs of civil service made it easier for all of us to meet family expectations.