Dad, first u got to understand that if u do so then u and that woman will have a sort of permanent relationship, so u got to like that woman in some degree.
I do not agree with your friends in BBS. There are many kids with a single parent are perfectly fine, and u will be an explicit father, and many military guys cannot see their children often that does not mean they cannot father their children.
I do not want to give you too much influence on your decision. At the end of the day, it is ur personal decision. I am an involved party with conflict interest. But there is a positive side for me: I will have a sister or brother in future if u do so.
To be honest, if I were u, I probably would go ahead. That woman and u had such a thought, in a virtual sense there is a life already there. I remember when I was young, there was an ad in TV touched me:
“Life – what a beautiful choice!”
No matter what will be ur decision, u r always my dad, and I will always love u.