The Basics

• Ask your spouse to enroll you in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). ...
• Obtain a military identification card from the ID card facility. ...
• Establish power of attorney. ...
• Ask your spouse to list you as a beneficiary on his or her Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy.

What are the benefits of being a military wife?

Many military benefits and resources are available to spouses.

• Access to commissaries and exchanges.
• Free gyms, libraries and other recreation opportunities.
• Free tax services.
• Free, confidential non-medical counseling services.
• Help with education and career goals.
• Military discounts.

What military spouses should know?

43 Awesome Tips Every New Military Wife Needs to Know

• Continue to pursue your own needs, wants, desires, and goals. ...
• Enjoy where you are. ...
• Seek out mentors. ...
• Learn your resources and benefits. ...
• Find a deployment buddy. ...
• Take it easy on yourself. ...
• Mentor other military spouses. ...
• Get involved and volunteer.

What are the pros and cons of being a military wife?

Pros & Cons Being a Military Spouse

• You are going to move around.
• You'll get to be an expert at making new friends.
• Shifting is hard on the children.
• Finding meaningful work in terms of career is difficult for the military spouse.
• Divorce rates are high among military couples.

How much do military wives get a month?

To answer your question, there is no stipend, no monetary benefits for military spouses. Service members can choose to give a monthly allotment to a spouse or whoever, but the money is deducted from their own pay. It does not come from the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.

THE SECRET LIFE OF BECOMING A MILITARY SPOUSE || WHAT I WISH I KNEW | ALWAYS4EVERGREENS

Does military pay for wedding?

Free Chapels

One of the perks of being in the military is that you can typically tie the knot at the base chapel for free. This includes a chaplain to perform the wedding ceremony and a variety of choices, including almost any religious denomination, non-religious, military, civilian and casual.

Do military spouses get free college?

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Assistance Program: The NMCRS Education Assistance Program offers interest-free loans and grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 per academic year to spouses of active-duty and retired service members for undergraduate programs at an accredited two- or four-year institution.

What is it like being an Army wife?

The role of being a military wife doesn't come lightly. It means being supportive, loving, loyal, fierce, and reliable. While you know separation happens, no one can ever prepare you for the hole your spouse leaves in your heart when they're on a mission.

Can your wife go with you on deployments?

Unfortunately, the whole idea of visiting your spouse during deployment is highly unlikely. There's a reason the military isn't sending you with them! If you were to be truly flexible enough to jump on a plane whenever your spouse says “Go,” you would still have a horribly priced plane ticket.

What do military wives do for work?

There are a wide range of roles that military spouses can explore in Health Care & Social Assistance; a few potential job functions include becoming a nurse, therapist, health caregiver, dental hygienist, pharmacy technician or medical assisting personnel. Educational Services.

Is it hard being a military wife?

The life of a military spouse is undeniably challenging. Being away from your partner for months or years at a time, assuming the role of a single parent, trying to balance a career while moving so often – all of these realities of military life can take its toll.

What a military spouse should not say?

8 Things You Shouldn't Say to a Military Spouse or Partner.

• “You chose this life.” ...
• “My spouse travels for work, so I totally know what you're going through.” ...
• “I don't know how you do it! ...
• “It will go fast. ...
• “Wait, what? ...
• “Have they ever killed anyone?” ...
• “Don't you miss them? ...
• “I'm so sorry.”

What do you call a military wife?

"Dependas marry for the uniform. They marry for the rank and the benefits. They don't care about the [service member]. My husband's ex-wife is a Dependa.

Does military pay go up when you have a baby?

The military does not pay people more money because they have dependents. There is no increase in pay for getting married, or for having children. Base pay is base pay, period.

Why do military marriages fail?

The marriages of U.S. Armed Forces service members often fail because of infidelity on the part of one or both spouses. There are always stories of lonely military wives hanging out at clubs and cheating on husbands who are deployed.

Why do military couples marry so fast?

"Marriage is deliberately made to be compatible with military life because this is an important way to retain personnel. The conditions of military employment also lead naturally to marriage. There's stable employment, comprehensive family benefits, and economic mobility in an entry-level job.

Can a military wife live on base?

Military Housing for Married Couples or Those with Dependents. If you are married and living with your spouse or minor dependents, you will either live in on-base housing or be given a monetary allowance called Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to live off-base.

Will the army move my wife?

The good news is that the military will pay for your spouse to move as long as you live in the same home together. Depending on the amount of leave you have, your spouse may be the one making most of the moving arrangements.

Will the army move my wife after we get married?

If you have PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders and get married before you actually make the move, you can have your spouse added to your orders and the military will pay for the relocation of your spouse and her property (furniture and such).

Why Being a military spouse is hard?

Military life results in uncertainty and breaks in routine, which can cause family members to experience high anxiety, depression, PTSD and long-term mental health and wellness injuries. Many spouses feel it will hurt their military partner's chances of promotion if they would seek help for stress or depression.

Do military marriages last?

But from what we do know, it seems that on the whole, military couples are probably not more likely to divorce than civilian couples. They may actually even be less likely to split up. (However, some studies suggest that there is an increase in divorce after the military spouse leaves the military.

Are military relationships worth it?

The pros of being in a military relationship, dating-wise, are simply that it makes the relationship stronger and makes you cherish each other a lot more. The months spent apart and the little time you get to talk makes you realize what you have and appreciate each other more than you ever thought was possible.

What is the 20/20 rule for military?

All three criteria must be met for you to have access to the same benefits as your military spouse: Must have been married for at least 20 years. Spouse must have served in the military for at least 20 years. 20 years of the marriage must overlap 20 years of the spouse's military service.

How much money do you make while in basic training?

Pay for BMT depends upon your rank. Every enlisted recruit starts out as an E1, and can expect an annual salary of around $20,170.80. BMT is 10 weeks, so the average E1 payment for basic training is around $3,800 plus meals and housing.

Can military spouses go to college on base?

Online Learning Matters for Military Personnel and Families

Military families stationed overseas cannot access higher education due to language barriers or lack of schools. Also, GI Bill benefits may not apply at foreign institutions. Online college for military spouses allows learners to enroll in top U.S. schools.