To join or not to join. (Update)

[decemberrain]

I have been seriously considering joining the A.F. I plan on going to talk to a recruiter about everything but most recruiters will promise you the moon if it gets you to sign knowing they cant get it. My concerns are:

Being stationed where my DH is stationed. (I know no one can guarantee this but hearing they really do try their best would be great.)

What is going to happen to our BAH? When I leave for basic will my DH be required to move onto base? (we have no kids)

My DH signed 6 I plan on signing 4 (if I go in) How will that affect his current duty station. We just got to Guam so we should be here 3 years does that still apply?

If any of you have any insight on any of these matters that would be great.

I have taken all three practice asvabs and my percentages are pretty high. I am just working on getting in better shape while I ponder things over.

[beans]

Being stationed together is largely going to be dependent on AFSCs and where they need people in that career field. They do try to put you together. For example, I know a Lt behavioral scientist filling a Major's billet because her H is a pilot going to be stationed at that base and that was what they could get her in her career field. I also know two pilots who had a hard time being placed together because of differing aircrafts not always being at the same base. ETA- they do tend to get "near" each other when they are not at the same base.

Joint spouse your first base can be tricky, especially considering what potential AFSC you want/he has. I've known some people that get stationed together right away when the spouse joins later or they are already in but at separate bases before getting married, but others who had to wait a year or less before being together. If you join and gets stationed sonewhere, depending on what's a priority and the needs of the AF, as well as how long YH has been at his duty station (generally PCSing occurs at least a year "owed" to that base, OCONUS is longer I think), they could very well move him to be where they want you. Again, there are so many variables to consider.

As far as BAH, I don't think he would have to move on base while you're in training (is there a reason you think that? I'm looking into joining and have never come across that). When you're done with training, if you live off base you will both receive your own BAH. If you live on base you could have to pay both BAHs to live there or just one (I believe thesis dependent on if it's privatized or not but I could be totally wrong).

I don't know if you want to go O or E or what YH is, but all my experience is on the officer side, so who knows how relevant it is... Also I am looking at joining, so I am not in, but this is what I have basically found out. If you google "joint spouse AF" or something similar, you can find a lot of info and forums about it.



Edited because typing on my phone in bed is hard.

[decemberrain]

H is Enlisted I would also be signing for E. He is Power Pro his job is one of those jobs that can go everywhere. I am still trying to decide what AFSC I am most interested in. (which I will go back over after I take the ASVAB to see what I actually qualify for.)

I was thinking he might have to move back on base because I saw somewhere (don't ask where or how reliable) that if I enlist he goes to "single" BAH instead of with dependents. I am not entirely sure what that means but I took it as less BAH. But I didn't even think that if that were the case, I would also be receiving BAH.

I am also on my phone in bed but I am far to lazy to edit lol

[beans]

Aug 1, 2012 8:08:40 GMT -5 decemberrain said:

I was thinking he might have to move back on base because I saw somewhere (don't ask where or how reliable) that if I enlist he goes to "single" BAH instead of with dependents. I am not entirely sure what that means but I took it as less BAH. But I didn't even think that if that were the case, I would also be receiving BAH.

I am also on my phone in bed but I am far to lazy to edit lol

Well, he would be getting BAH without dependents if you're not considered a dependent because you are your own independent sponsor, KWIM?. (so he would receive less money, but you would also get your own BAH). But I don't think that means he has to move on base, he'd be what is known as a geographic bachelor. I don't know what rank he is or how this works, (maybe someone else will chime in about it) but unless he is jr enlisted and the rank that has to live on base AND this applies to geo bachelors, then I can't see them making him move on base.

And yes, you would both receive BAH. Just what happens to it depends on where you live. Living off base = you both keep it. Living on base depends. I have heard that if its a private contractor running base housing, you pay one BAH (the higher one) and if its government owned, you do have to pay both (doesn't really give you incentive to live on base). But I have never actually talked to anyone in any sort of authority to verify this. Just what I have read on the internet and what people I know have told me about their experiences.

[decemberrain]

He is an E3. This is our first duty station so we are pretty fresh with the military way of life. I don't remember the rank cut off for being able to live off base with no dependents. I can look it up. My H is going to talk to one of the guys in his shop who is joint spouse and see if he can help. We are trying to keep it all on the down low right now until I actually make a decision, I don't want people asking me WHY??!! And all those other fun questions until I decide I am going for it for sure.

[beans]

I can understand that. Also, like I said, you can find lots of info on the internet. thats where I found out a lot of things.

[Jam]

I thought if you were both serving and married you only get 1 1/2 of the BAH. One person gets the full amount and one gets half.

Not exactly sure why I think that. Maybe I read it somewhere.

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2012 10:21:28 GMT -5 Jam said:

I thought if you were both serving and married you only get 1 1/2 of the BAH. One person gets the full amount and one gets half.

Not exactly sure why I think that. Maybe I read it somewhere.

I thought it was that one got dependent rate and one got single rate BAH. I could be pulling this out of my ass.

[beans]

Aug 1, 2012 11:15:08 GMT -5 @lemonlover33 said:

Aug 1, 2012 10:21:28 GMT -5 Jam said:

I thought if you were both serving and married you only get 1 1/2 of the BAH. One person gets the full amount and one gets half.

Not exactly sure why I think that. Maybe I read it somewhere.

I thought it was that one got dependent rate and one got single rate BAH. I could be pulling this out of my ass.

As far as my understanding (and how DH just explained to me)- If you are dual mil with no kids each service member receives BAH (what happens with that depends on where you live, like I said before about the on base/off base and gov/civilian contracted housing). If there are no kids (dependents)- each member receives single BAH rates. If there is a kid/kids involved the kids are accounted for on the higher ranking person's BAH (so higher ranking person will then receive BAH with dependent rating, since there is no change between 1 dependent and 8 it doesn't matter how many dependents there are), and the other service member would continue to receive single rate BAH.

Does that make sense?

[Jam]

Yes it does! Thanks for clarifying.

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2012 11:57:09 GMT -5 beans said:

Aug 1, 2012 11:15:08 GMT -5 @lemonlover33 said:

I thought it was that one got dependent rate and one got single rate BAH. I could be pulling this out of my ass.

As far as my understanding (and how DH just explained to me)- If you are dual mil with no kids each service member receives BAH (what happens with that depends on where you live, like I said before about the on base/off base and gov/civilian contracted housing). If there are no kids (dependents)- each member receives single BAH rates. If there is a kid/kids involved the kids are accounted for on the higher ranking person's BAH (so higher ranking person will then receive BAH with dependent rating, since there is no change between 1 dependent and 8 it doesn't matter how many dependents there are), and the other service member would continue to receive single rate BAH.

Does that make sense?

This is correct. I had two married pilot friends, and they each received without-dependent-rate BAH until their son was born, then one of them went up to with-dependent-rate while the other stayed at without-dependent-rate.

[basilosaurus]

Aug 1, 2012 11:15:08 GMT -5 @lemonlover33 said:

Not exactly sure why I think that. Maybe I read it somewhere.

I thought it was that one got dependent rate and one got single rate BAH. I could be pulling this out of my ass. [/quote]This is what I thought. And the higher ranking person gets the dependent rate.

[bebea]

I was dual mil and also lived on Guam. I would say if you're really wanting to join then do it! It's definitely not easy being dual mil but totally doable! Talk to a recruiter and see what they have to say, bring your husband they'll most likely be a little more honest!

Your H shouldn't have to move back on base during that time. His Shirt will be able to make this process smooth for you both.

As far as his time on station... he may have to stay longer to keep your DROS the same. Again the Shirt and MPS will let you all know!

I read in your last post that he isn't liking Guam, I think once he gets involved more he may start to like it. Then again it's the kind of place you love or hate. (I would go back in a heart beat!). I don't know if he's heard but there is a race track on island that he should look into and there are different car clubs like the Subaru Club of Guam but I don't think they discriminate against other cars! I know its no the same as driving on a highway but it's something! Good luck!

[decemberrain]

Went to the recruiters today.. Really disappointed. I got all 90's on my practice ASVAB that I took at home I have a H.S Diploma, some college credits and I am in okay shape. I am working on the last.

AND

I was told with my two tattoo's there is like .02% chance of getting in if they needed people, which they don't. . I have a tattoo on each wrist that's about 1/4 inch to low to fall into regs. The worst part is I know people with tattoo's in the same exact spot and even some with tattoo's on their hands that are in the Air Force. One of my best friends has a flower on her hand about the size of a quarter and she is A.D A.F as of 4 months ago. He told me "Try going Army, they will probably give you a waver, they take just about anyone"...

[decemberrain]

Thank you all for your help though!

[decemberrain]

Aug 1, 2012 17:08:40 GMT -5 bebea said:

I was dual mil and also lived on Guam. I would say if you're really wanting to join then do it! It's definitely not easy being dual mil but totally doable! Talk to a recruiter and see what they have to say, bring your husband they'll most likely be a little more honest!

Your H shouldn't have to move back on base during that time. His Shirt will be able to make this process smooth for you both.

As far as his time on station... he may have to stay longer to keep your DROS the same. Again the Shirt and MPS will let you all know!

I read in your last post that he isn't liking Guam, I think once he gets involved more he may start to like it. Then again it's the kind of place you love or hate. (I would go back in a heart beat!). I don't know if he's heard but there is a race track on island that he should look into and there are different car clubs like the Subaru Club of Guam but I don't think they discriminate against other cars! I know its no the same as driving on a highway but it's something! Good luck!

I told him about the track (which I think may have been a mistake, I'm fairly certain I just lost all free time with my hubby)! He is pretty excited to go check it out. He drives a VW and can't get "all the cool parts to make it more awesome" = "Cant get all the parts that make it go fast and break often" lol Worst part is he drives like 65 here so I honestly don't see what the problem is, other than him breaking the law by like 30mph

[Jam]

Aug 2, 2012 11:33:12 GMT -5 Stan said:

Tattoos are deal breakers for a lot of branches right now. And that recruiter is a freaking A hole. ""Try going Army, they will probably give you a waver, they take just about anyone"

Lol. Right?!

[iluvmytxrgr]

Aug 2, 2012 7:43:39 GMT -5 decemberrain said:

Went to the recruiters today.. Really disappointed. I got all 90's on my practice ASVAB that I took at home I have a H.S Diploma, some college credits and I am in okay shape. I am working on the last.

AND

I was told with my two tattoo's there is like .02% chance of getting in if they needed people, which they don't. . I have a tattoo on each wrist that's about 1/4 inch to low to fall into regs. The worst part is I know people with tattoo's in the same exact spot and even some with tattoo's on their hands that are in the Air Force. One of my best friends has a flower on her hand about the size of a quarter and she is A.D A.F as of 4 months ago. He told me "Try going Army, they will probably give you a waver, they take just about anyone"...

You're recruiter is a douche.

[verycontrary247]

Really? When I was talking to a Navy recruiter the other day he didn't mention any problems with my tattoos (I also have a large one on my wrist)

[basilosaurus]

H's cousin was all set to go to OTS (or whatever they call their equivalent) or MC, and they rejected him or the tattoos. He ended up enlisting, though. But, he has a college degree and is fluent in multiple (hard) languages, so they probably really wanted him.

[SusanBAnthony]

I am confused about officer vs. enlisted. What makes you qualify for one vs. the other. Does having a college degree make the difference, or what? I am not a military spouse of in myself, I just peruse this board occasionally to learn more be I know nothing about it.

[ilovelamp]

Yes, in order to be an officer you must have a bachelors degree.

[SusanBAnthony]

Aug 4, 2012 12:59:22 GMT -5 Stan said:

While on paper it only seems necessary for someone to have a degree, there are a lot of things that qualify people or not to be officers. And there are lots of enlisted folks with degrees, many of whom wanted a specific kind of job (in both branches I've dealt with, officers do not contract for a specific job, besides lawyers). There's also a pride for many people in enlisting. Former Vice President Gore enlisted to be sure he'd actually go to Vietnam, and he had a degree from Harvard!

This is what is confusing to me as a non-mil person. Thank you for explaining. Wouldn't you want to be an officer for the higher salary? Can you continue to move up in salary as an enlisted, or do you reach a ceiling at some point?