My husband is going to join the military thinking probably army. He has spoken with the recruiter they have been to the house and he takes his Asvab in 2 weeks. I AM SCARED. I dont get how it all works. We have 2 kids together. So if he joins I just have a few questions from someone elses point of view not a recruiter that just wants him to join. Please help and input is great.

When do I find out where we will be stationed?

Do you really have any say in where you go? I know you write down your top choices but do they ever really even consider that?

We have a newborn and a 3 year old will it be hard for them?

Is the pay really worth it? We struggle so hard these days and cant even pay the bills is it going to be the same in the military?

Any answers is really helpful. Thanks

Moving to Military 101 at 10 PM EST

You will find out where you're going to be stationed while he's in AIT (his job/MOS training) - anywhere between about halfway through until the very end. It happens sometimes in the military where you will move within a very short time's worth of notice. But, if it's a move where dependents are authorized to be moved, then the military will handle your move, reimburse you for your travel, etc., so it's definitely doable, plenty of people do it all the time.

Do you have a say in where you're going to go - blunt answer is no. Yes, you have your top choices but there must be an opening for his rank and job at that location. There is a person out there called a branch manager, who is the person who works with assignments for each MOS/job, and if you ever have an occasion to be able to speak with that person directly, then they can tell you specifically what posts have openings - but that's not always common, you usually just get orders automatically. With enlistment and re-enlistments, you can sometimes get a certain location guaranteed in your contract, but you may forfeit things like a bonus as a trade-off.

For a newborn and 3 year old - it's going to be hard for Daddy to not be home, sure, but little ones are incredibly resilient, and in my opinion they'll do just fine with moving. I think it's as they get older and have school friends to leave that it becomes really difficult.

Is the pay worth it? Only you can decide that. Military pay tables are available to the public, are as housing allowances (by zip code). It's not a lot of money, but one of the major trade-offs is the option of totally free healthcare. When you pay $200-$500 a month for health insurance plus co-pays, prescriptions, etc., then the lower pay may be worth it when you're not having to pay those costs out of pocket. Will you continue to struggle? Like I said, only you can do a salary comparison and decide that for yourself. Just so you know, if you have any financial issues (specifically things gone to collections), he may have a hard time getting a security clearance, but that can depend on a lot of factors.

ETA: One other "perk" of the military for finances is the Servicemember Civil Relief Act. For debts incurred prior to enlistment (anything from car payments, mortgages, credit card debts), the interest rate can be lowered to I think it's 6%. For your debtors to NOT lower the rate, they have to take you to court to prove that military service won't prove to be a financial hit. Very few companies are going to do that, and most are more than happy to oblige. We have one credit card company that has actually kept our interest rate at that 6% as a "thank you" for my husband's service. Depending on what your credit looks like, a few % points can make a big difference with monthly payments.

But, one downside is that it can take 4-8 weeks for the first paycheck to kick in (it will be backpaid for that time), so that will require either some saving ahead of time, or some conversations to take place with your debtors/banks/landlords, whatever to arrange for late payments.

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sgtmom
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Posted Wed 29 October 2008 03:31 PM Hide Post
You find out where he is stationed when he finishes his training - and has passed the schools for his "job". If he fails the training all bets are off and his is at the mercy of the military. They can and will put him into any job they need bodies.

You fill out your "dream sheet" and that is taken into consideration. But, there has to be an opening at that base for his "job" for him to get stationed there.

Our kids grew up living the military life and they are well adjusted adults now. (20 and 23) Were there rough times? Yes. Was their life ruined by being a military brat? They will tell you no way.

If you think you will be getting rich or well off in the military forget it. There were definitely times when we lived pay check to pay check. I can remember living on $800 a month bring home as a family of 4 in VA Beach in the early 90's - wasn't a picnic.

You will find out where he will be stationed usually during AIT (school). It can depend on what MOS (job) he chooses to how long that will be, where it will be and where he can go afterwards. There is always the possibility that his first set of orders could be to an overseas (OCONUS) assignment so that is something you need to be prepared for. Korea is one that now they are allowing family to be there in some areas but not all. Germany and other areas usually aren't a problem going to if you clear the medical and dental screening.

He can write down his top choices of where he wants to go but there is never a promise that he will go there. He will go where the Army needs him at the time.

Newborn will never know, 3 year old can be hard but normally children adjust better than we do. Our kids are 9 (almost 10) and 6, since the oldest was born we have lived in 3 states (one state twice) and now are overseas. Yes they don't get to see their grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins much but what they have done is make friends who are now part of our family and able to learn entirely new cultures that make them unique.

Pay it depends on what you are used to whether or not it is decent. He will be getting about $1300 or more in pay before the allowances kick in. Medical is free, prescriptions are free (or low co-pay), dental is cheap (he gets it free), you qualify for military housing or an allowance to rent a place, he gets a meal allowance (except when he is in Basic), a uniform allowance and lots of other pay/allowances as well that can add up. If you are used to more than that it can be difficult but you can do it. As long as you budget well, don't always buy new and think before you buy.

I cant really tell you most of the technical aspects of the military since I just joined ROTC in my college, but I was a dependent to my father in the Air Force for 17 years of my life. Life will undoubtedly be difficult for the children at times, but when isnt life like that. Personally I liked DOD schools better than the public schools I attended for High Schools. Friends will become distant and new will be made, but honestly I think Im a better person because my dad was in the military, because the few drawbacks are only outweighed by the positive experiences I had. I wish you luck in your future endevors.

quote:

Originally posted by 19274509:
Personally I liked DOD schools better than the public schools I attended for High Schools. Friends will become distant and new will be made, but honestly I think Im a better person because my dad was in the military, because the few drawbacks are only outweighed by the positive experiences I had. I wish you luck in your future endevors.

DoD schools are not in every location, most are in OCONUS locations only a few in the US itself. The schools are run by the local school district if not DoD schools so the same as regular kids. Our children lived in 3 states and now overseas and never attend a DoD school.