About Army Life??????

Rebecca - posted on 05/14/2012

HI I'm new here, I was wondering if anyone knew of any really good recruiters in Tulsa, OK. My husband is wanting to join the ARMY, he is getting his GED in June and will be looking into taking his ASVAB in July. We have called a couple of recruiters and none of them seem very interested in talking to him. I'm just looking for a good recruiter thats not gonna make him feel like he has no place in serving his country. Any info pointing us in the right direction would help and be greatly appreciated! If he cant get in I may try to enlist lol

Billie - posted on 06/14/2011

Seeing as he is your boyfriend, you wouldn't be entitled to any benefits unless you were married. The military does not recognize relationships unless you're married. If your child is his, she will be eligible for dependent priviledges, but you won't be. If he has residential custody of your daughter he could receive family housing, if not he will be assigned a barracks room. $$ depends on what rank you are and how long you've been in the service.

There's a bit of info to get you started off, but you really must speak with a recruitor for more specific info. Just know that as long as you're not married, you're not entitled to anything at all.

Lizzie - posted on 06/09/2011

My Fiance just left June 5 he didn't make it to the base until June 7 at 1 am he called and unfortunately they took his phone.Army lifestyle isn't easy.It's been 3 days since I heard from him and so far it's been the hardest thing.Im still waiting on a letter from him...

Though the benefits are great and he will be making good money.

It's the fact that you won't hear from him for a while and he will be gone for the longest time.And don't get me starting about if he gets deployed..

I say if he does go to hold strong and keep yourself busy and also to write a letter everyday even if you haven't got one from him yet.

Also talk to the recruiter.He or she will tell you all the benefits and everything about the military.

I hope this helps a bit.

Meghan - posted on 07/12/2009

I am a Marine Corps wife and have been around since before my husband joined the Marines. We love our life and I dont think that I could imagine it any other way. Like one of the other wives mentioned are generally a suck it up group but also very close. There are not that many of us...the Marines is the smallest branch in terms of numbers. We are at our second duty station and going on our 6th yr. He is currently a Drill Instructor on Parris Island so if you husband has any questions boot camp let me know I will do my best to answer them.

There are a number of resources available to military families but like many have mentioned before none of them would be available to you unless yall were married.

Heather - posted on 07/11/2009

When it's time for you guys to get housing, they will take the money (BAH) out of his paycheck automatically, so you won't see it. BAH stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. You might get a new remodeled house or you could get a crappy house. When we were stationed at Ft Lewis, WA., the first house that comes available for how many bedrooms you qualify for is what you get. If you don't like it, you go back to the bottom of the list. Here at Ft Leonard Wood, MO., they hand you keys to houses you qualify for and YOU get to choose which one you like. We loved that!



Housing starts with 2 bedrooms, so you are most likely to get a 2 bedroom house since you only have one child. If you are lucky, you might get three...depending on what's available. Sometimes there are waiting lists as well that vary. You will get paid on the 1st and 15th of each month. When you move in and they do the inspection, be VERY anal on everything!! Anything that looks wrong, mark it down or you'll be paying for it when you leave. When you move out of housing, it has to look exactly like it did when you moved in or better or they will charge you.



I've been an Army brat all my life with a stepdad and my father in the Army and now retired. I married a soldier, so I'm still living the military life and it's all I know. Right now with the way the economy is going, it's the best way to go! Your medical and dental is covered, you can't get fired, you have a retirement fund, you can use the G.I. Bill for college, you get a house and you can use the commissary for grocery shopping which is a lot cheaper then other supermarkets. The variety isn't the best though, so you'll find more at Walmart Super Centers.



Good luck!

Brittany - posted on 07/11/2009

my hubby just joined in feburary of this year and we have twins.... its a lil bit of a challenge but first he has to take the asvabs and depending on the score he gets thats how many offers he will have in his job line up... then he'll go to basic for like 10 weeks... then go to ait wwhich is his job training or m.o.s training.... after that he will see where he is based... i just found out we are going to germany for 3 yrs.. if u have any ?'s write me back ill be more than happy to try and help...

JOLENE - posted on 07/11/2009

I just want to start by saying that the militay family is the best support system that you can ever have ( NEXT TO YOUR OWN FAMILY) THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ASK . My husband has been in the aarmy for 13 years he is being deployed to iraq in january we will miss him so much and it is a very hard time when they are gone . between the worry you have for them and the stress at home some times it can be extreamly hard on us but remember that all you have to do is pick up the phone or get on the computer (armywives.com) great web site . there are people there who will just listen if you need to vent. they have camp for kids and if you spouse is going to be deployed or even if you just want a weekend getaway there in the strong bonds program. there is so much info all u have to do is ask good luck to you and your family.

Cori - posted on 07/10/2009

Find out why and ask him to talk to an Army recuriter and MC recuriter to get all of his options layed out in fron of him..,,

Cori - posted on 07/10/2009

I am a wife of a Recuriter. First off if you want to be with him ya'll need to get married... If you do not get married he will stay in barracks, NO BAH, AND NO DEPENDANT PAY.. ALSO, He will not be able to join unless he has written consent thru the court that he has no legal or financial responsibility to any dependant, or between the two parents you can have a letter drawn up and notorized signed by both parents. Now if ya'll get married life is all good, both you and baby girl get bennifits houseing and insurance! Let me know if you have any ?'s.

Kari - posted on 07/10/2009

The biggest question is are you two legally married? That is the only way that YOU will get anything or benefit out of him in the military. My husband (at the time he entered I was just the girlfriend) was active Navy for 4 years in Washington and now Army National Guard (his unit just deployed back to Iraq) Do you have kids together? The benefits that the life of Military give to him and his family are amazing and the health care, the pay, everything. Pay determines on what his rank will be and everything- He will be gone for awhile in bootcamp. Housing (well again determines if you are married) you can live with him if you two are married, I know my brother n law and his newly wife and extra kids are living on base in a nice house but he hasnt been in that long too.

My husband I lived off base apartment. I would check with a recruiter or make sure that you go with him when he talks so your questions get answered too. I have been doing it for 10 years + and wouldnt change it for the world! My husband loves it and I love it. Its a different life style and Tricare (health plan) is amazing- Good luck I can answer more if needed!

Julie - posted on 07/10/2009

Hello, my name is Julie. My husband and I have been in the military for over 30 years and we have four children. (Army) As a first job or as a career I believe it is a very rewarding way of life. Everything a family needs pretty much is on any military installation. The service member receives benefits as soon as he/she has a contract with the military. Any family members receive benefits once the service member can legally show that said family members actually belong to them i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate, legal guardanship, etc. But for the service member each receives help in doing all of these legal things from their respective units. There is someone to help you learn the ropes no matter where you go. My family has really enjoyed living on post. You are put into a community that already has most of the same situations you do. You make friends fast living on post especially if you are a stay at home mother. I could keep going but I think I will send this along and you can then ask me more specific questions if you still have them. Hope some of my ramblings helped.

Laurie - posted on 07/09/2009

If marriage is in your future then get married if he goes in. Benefits are better no matter which branch he is in. To make the transition easier, find something to volunteer, work or something. Most military branches have free child care for volunteers, usually up to about 20 hours a week. The army has Army Community Services. I do not know what the other services have but they would have something similar. Hope this helps a little.

Dana - posted on 07/09/2009

Ha! My husband enlisted in the Marines at 17 (Mom signed him in)! Did 6 years, used the GI Bill and went to college, and came back Army ...where we have been for 12 years. The only thing I have to say about Marine Corp wives is: they are generally a close-knit, suck-it-up kind of group (an overwhelmingly positive thing in my book). The guys are deployed or training A LOT. This is a lifestyle not just a career. This takes understanding, self-sufficiency and independence from you. My only other piece of advice to you and your significant other is listen to each other. In order for you to exist to the armed services (doesn't matter what branch), you need to be married and in DEERS. Make use of that recruiter's wife up top who is offering to answer questions!!!!! Network,network,network. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Becky - posted on 07/09/2009

They are Very Supportive!

Amanda - posted on 07/09/2009

you all have been great i just found out he wants the Marines instead of the Army i wasnt sure. So any comments on that?

Becky - posted on 07/09/2009

Hi Amanda,


What a great experience you have to look forward to! My husband is retired Army and our children grew up as Army Brats. We, the entire family, loved all of it. Yes they go away, to train, to fight, to better themselves and their units.. but we at home just bonded and made some of the best friends we could ever ask for. Support is the best thing you will ever learn. Support your husband, support your children and support you and your friends. You are never alone unless you choose to be. If you want specific questions answered just ask. Oh and yes we lived in housing everywhere we went. Loved it! Good luck to you and your family. Tell your husband we are proud of him!

Ps. In responce to Cami- I'm sorry you have had a disappointing life. My husband missed many birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and so on. We always knew he was with us and we were proud to be a part of HIS chosen profession. Life is what you make of it. If you want safety and security, the Military is not for you. If you want you and your children to learn more about the world and life then grasp it and take advantage of it. Nothing is garranteed in life I loved the vacations we could take, the time we did spend together and the travel. My kids would do it all over again if they could! That says a lot.

I now have my husband home all the time and the hours he puts into his current job is far more than I thought a Civilian puts in. We would go back in a heartbeat!

Cami - posted on 07/08/2009

I dont mean to put a damper on the whole military thing, but it is NOT the greatest lifestyle at all. A little background on my life, my husband is 20, im 19, we have a 16 month old daughter, and a boy due in August, he has been in the National Guard as an Infantryman for 3 years, he signed a 6 year contract, 6 years of active duty, and then two years inactive. We live in Illinois, so i dont know if anything changes from state to state. It kind of all depends what he gets on the ASVAB test, that determines his MOS, or in civilian talk..... his military job. He could be an electrian, an MP (military police), infantry which means front of the line. And that will also determine his pay. You should get married for spousal benefits. And for his daughter. You cant always live on a base with him either. It just depends on what he would be doing in the military. But the lifestyle is not all that great either. With the free drinks he could get in his uniform, awesome health insurance, traveling, and to be an American Hero, you have to remember that there is GREAT risk involved!!! He could be on 15 month deployments, or he could have a 15 month deployment and be home for a couple of months and then be gone for another 15 month tour. Its very stressful. Make sure that you want to deal with negative before jumoing in for the positive.i just took my husband to a hotel tonight, he ships out tomorrow for Fort Benning Georgia to finish his training. He will be gone for two months, he will miss two whole months of his daughters life, and he will mis the birth of his first and only son. And after he gets back from training, he will be gone for 12 months in Egypt, he will miss a 2nd birthday, a first birthday, first words, first steps, rolling over, crawling, everything. Just really think about it. Dont get me wrong i support my husband, all of the other men and women and their families but it is VERY hard. God Bless and Good luck

Marya - posted on 07/08/2009

Has he looked into the National Guard? it has alot of the same benifits as the regular Army.

Jessica - posted on 07/08/2009

I am the wife of a army recruiter, in Illinois. What exactly are your questions? I will answer them the best of my knowledge...Jessica

Deidre - posted on 07/08/2009

I have another website to check out militaryonesource.com There are a LOT of wonderful articles on there that can explain just about everything to do with the military :) You have to sign up but it is free and it doesn't matter if you're married or not :)

Sonya - posted on 07/08/2009

With housing, if he has custody of the child, he can get post housing. If you're not married, you will NOT be able to stay in post housing with him. So you'd either have to get married or live off post and not be married. His insurance will cover your daughter, not you. He will get base pay, bah and dependent pay. His pay will NOT increase with your marriage. He will get one amount for 1 or 2 dependents. It only increases with rank and sometimes depending on where the dependents live. There's so much more info it's all hard to explain. You're more than welcome to message me with any questions. I did marine life for a few years and now doing Army life as I have for a few years. The explanations I just gave are broad, but there's so much to all the benefits.

Erika - posted on 07/08/2009

ask a recruiter or go on amazon and buy the "married to the military' by meredith leyva.

im not blowing you off its just you questions are kinda broad and long/hard to answer. The recuiter can explain the basics to you but that book is really in depth. and i would suggest getting married if you two are serious b/c of the benefits you and his daughter will get ( almost free healthcare, among other things)