Frequently Asked "Military 101" Questions

There are many questions that every family member has when their loved ones head off to training. Please check here first to see if you can find an answer before posting.


1. When will I receive an address to write my loved ones in Basic/Boot?

You should receive an address anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks after arrival. This could be longer if there is some kind of delay at Reception. Often you will receive an "official" postcard or letter with your loved one's address, or you may just get a letter saying 'Hey this is where you can contact me'. It's important to note that the immediate family members will be the one to receive any official information - parents for a single servicemember, spouse for a married one, unless they otherwise specify.


2. What can I mail to my loved one while they are in training?

During Boot/Basic, most everything is considered contraband. The best policy is to keep it to letters, phone cards, and pictures. Their command at some point should send a letter saying what is "okay" (some command allows toiletries and undergarments to be sent, for example). Food and pornography are NEVER okay. During MOS/rating training, these restrictions may loosen, but it will again depend on command. Some commands require there be enough to go around to the whole company, some won't let food go into the barracks (so only enough to be consumed on the spot as a snack).


3. Will I receive phone calls?

During Basic/Boot, phone calls will mainly depend on command policy and amount of free time. Some servicemembers only call home once, some can call home almost every Sunday. It's a good idea to send phone cards "just in case", but basing your expecations for a call on somebody else's experience may be disappointing. During the MOS/rating portion of training, phone calls will depend on free time, command policy on cell phones and/or availability of pay phones, etc.


4. When can I expect to see the first paycheck come in during BCT/Boot?

This depends on when your spouse shipped out in relation to the cut off dates for bank drafts. You can usually expect a paycheck between 2 and 4 weeks after he/she leaves, but as long as 6-8 weeks if there's any complications.


5. When will I receive my ID and/or Tricare information?

Anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks after your spouse arrives at Basic/Boot, you will receive a form in the mail that you can then take to an ID card facility to have your ID made. Some facilities require a power of attorney for this. Obtaining your ID automatically enrolls you in Tricare Standard. If you wish to enroll in Tricare Prime, you may then fill out an enrollment form and mail it in/take it to your nearest Tricare facility to make the switch. Some facilities only require a military ID for medical services, some require your Tricare ID card, some require both, so it's a good idea to keep both available for appointments once you receive them.

ID card facilities can be located at the RAPIDS Site Locator


6. When will I receive graduation information?

For Basic/Boot graduation, a packet is usually sent anywhere between 1-3 weeks before graduation with graduate date & activities, a schedule, information about parking and/or lodging, and any other information according to command preference/branch specifics. This is not necessarily a confirmation that your loved one is graduating - if there are any problems, though, they (the servicemember) should be told to contact you to let you know.


7. Can we get married on Christmas EXODUS/leave after graduation/etc?

CAN you? As in will the servicemember be allowed to, technically yes. The question is whether you will be able to find time to. Keep in mind that states have certain requirements to obtain a marriage license (blood tests and/or waiting period, whether or not both people must be present to apply), the servicemember would need to be available during office hours to apply for the marriage license, if applicable, and the biggest issue being that no time off is ever guaranteed. You could make plans for a ceremony then have the servicemember end up not being able to make it. Bottom line is to proceed with caution and don't get your hopes up, plus do lots of research.


8. Can I live with my married servicemember during their MOS/Rating portion of training?

There is a standard minimum length of 20 weeks (26 weeks Navy) for a family to be able to move with their loved one while they are in school. However, individual commands have the power to change or totally eliminate this policy if they so choose. When the servicemember receives their orders for school at the end of Basic, they should indicate whether or not they will be accompanied.


9. When will the servicemember receive orders for their first duty station?

This can vary greatly and is therefore one of those things where it's not a good idea to form expectations/make comparisons. Orders can show up anywhere between 2 weeks after the beginning of school to the week after graduation. Just keep an eye out, have your loved ones select their duty station "preferences" when prompted, and hurry up and wait!


10. How do we arrange to move to our first duty station? How are we supposed to manage to be able to afford to move?

There are a few options for relocating, and unless there are extenuating circumstances, the military will pay for any of them. The servicemember can arrange for movers to come pick up your belongings (household goods, or HHG), you can move all your belongings (a DITY move), or you can have movers pick up some things and move some yourself (a partial DITY). The servicemember will be briefed on his/her options and on the monetary allowances available for relocating, and there is also a thread in Relocation concerning these allowances:

PCS Money Questions


11. Do we have to live on or off post/base?

Married servicemembers have the option of living off the economy and receiving Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) based on the duty zip code, or they may live in post/base housing if space allows. On post/base housing usually must be secured in person upon arrival at a new command.


12. Can I relocate/live with my loved one if we're not married?

Typically, most commands will not let anybody lower than rank E-4 live outside the barracks, so it will depend on command policy. Even once the servicemember gets "permission" to move out from the barracks, he/she will not receive full "with dependant" housing allowance if he/she isn't married. Also, if you're not married, the military will not pay to move your belongings. Therefore the decision to live together while not married often comes down to financial options, because some can't afford to move on their own dime or to live off post/base.


13. So what's the deal with a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is useful if your loved ones (spouse, parent, etc) will need to conduct any business on your part while you are in training or deployed. There is the standard general POA that can be used for most business. However, special POAs are needed for situations like interacting with certain military offices (such as finance), some bank transactions, etc. It is important to note that no institution is REQUIRED to accept a POA. The servicemember can obtain a POA by going to JAG (legal office) with their military ID - the person receiving the POA does not need to be present.


14. What's the difference between Tricare Prime and Tricare Standard?

There are many threads concerning the difference between Tricare Prime and Standard/Extra, as well as questions on the specific of each in the Tricare area:

TRICARE Information
TRICARE Websites
Your TRICARE Benefits Explained
TRICARE Prime vs TRICARE Standard/Extra


15. Can I use his GI Bill?

If he just enlisted he can't use the GI Bill at all, he must first pay $100 a month for the first 12 months, then serve 3 years before qualifying for it. Spouses can only use the GI Bill if 1) AD member is Army, served 6 years, reenlisting for at least 4 more and a certain MOS. or 2) AD member becomes 100% disabled .

This message has been edited. Last edited by: theainjmtant,

Sorry this is off-topic but this is my first time on this site and I'm having trouble navigating.

I'm a screenwriter and am looking for information on what it was like living on base in govt. housing OR in a community near the (West Coast) army base for families in 1984. The husband is a colonel stationed on base, with a wife and one child. WHERE can I go for information? Can someone suggest a website that will give me an accurate account of the life and times?

Thanks so much for your interest. Looking forward to hearing back.
Joyce in California