Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/BAH deployed (immigration issue)

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/27/2008


Question
Hello Sir,

Well I'm currently deployed in afghanistan right now.  I have been recieving BAH for Fort Bragg NC for the last 13 months.  However my wife has been living in California since the day I deployed.  I would have left her in North Carolina, but she is illegal in this country and her paperwork has not been approved yet for citizenship.  So I had to send her back home with friends and family to take care of her since I am physically no longer there to do so.  I had no choice but to send her back to california based on her illegal status, there was no way she could have taken care of herself without me at Fort Bragg without no ID or driver license she could get in trouble just trying to do daily tasks.  basically what im saying is she had to move cause she could not legally do anything over there.  My question to you is: is there anyway I can recieve back BAH for the time she has lived in california based on my situation?  Ive been coming out of my own pocket to cover the cost of living for that area where she lives.  I've looked everywhere for a solution to my problem, but the military doesn't take situations like this into account, HELP!!!

Answer
Jonathan:

 Well, first off, since she is illegal, you've got a whole 'nother issue to deal with there. Realistically, there IS no solution, she's illegal and that's the first issue that has to be overcome and dealt with.  You'll be lucky if you don't get hit for the BAH issue.  There is zero chance of getting 'back' BAH from what I understand of the issue.  Esp if the military assumes she is still living in NC, that's where your BAH will draw from.  The only way I can think of this situation would have been solvable would have been when she moved, if you changed your address to the location she moved to in California.  That one is 'iffy' at best.

 You are basically going to have to suck it up until she 'gets legal' and go from there.

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.