Hi Opti, I'm back from my cruise, catching up on threads. Sounds like your H understands your question if he answers and says he knows that's not what you wanted to hear. Why he doesn't tell you what you want to hear is the big question it seems. I mean, to say, let me see where I get assigned, and then go there, and then decide whether I want my W & S4 to join me doesn't make any sense but maybe I'm just too logical a person. Are there places on his list that he wouldn't want his family at? As you put it, it doesn't matter where as long as the want to be together is there. Maybe he doesn't understand how important the answer to the question is to you. If you are asking when sending a "light" e-mail he may not realize the depth of the situation.
And I understand where you are coming from with the DBing by e-mail and occasional phone only, you have to go with the words when there is nothing else. Best Wishes, hope you get the answer you want soon, RonJon