Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

   My husband is a Cpl in the Marine Core and I am an Airman in the Navy. We were both told that because we are in separate branches we cannot get spouse co-location. I am curious as to whether we can or not. I was only at my first duty station from August of 2007 until January of 2008 because of pregnancy. I will be at my second duty station until September of 2009. I am curious as to whether when I am up for orders again if we can apply for spouse collocation. He has reenlisted and will be stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in February so with him already having orders to Edwards and I not really having any sea time am curious as to whether we can apply for spouse collocation even if we are in separate branches. I am also curious as to whether we can apply with our current circumstances.

P.S. Thank you for your time.

         Sincerely,
         AOAN Kelly

ANSWER: Dear Stephanie --

Yes, you can submit paperwork to be considered for joint domicile, not matter what service you join.  Joint domicile status is supposed to compel your service human resource managers to work together to get you and your military spouse assigned to duty stations as close to one another as possible. I am concerned that your HR folks don't even want to try to help you, since they didn't tell you that the joint domicile program exists.  I am also surprised they won't help you since Marines are often stationed at Navy bases, and as a Navy Airman, you will be stationed at Navy bases.

In practical terms, what does joint domicile mean?  Generally, the HR folks will assign you on the same coast for continental US assignments and in the same country for foreign assignments.  Sometimes that will be close enough that you can live together on the economy, and commute to your different bases (such as in Virginia).  Sometimes that means you can drive to visit each other when you are not on duty.  And sometimes that means you are quite far apart (one example was a Navy Pilot in Maine, and her Army husband in Virginia.)

Apply for the program, so that when you are reassigned you can go to Edwards AFB or a Navy base as close to Edwards as possible.

Good luck to you and your husband.  Thank you for your service.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ms. Bedell,

       Thank you, you answer has helped me a lot. Do I need to go to my career counselor with a copy of my husband's orders and our marriage license? How soon should I apply for joint domicile. I go back to work on the 14th of October. Should I contact my career counselor and get the paperwork started? I really appreciate all your help.

         Sincerely,
         AOAN Kelly

Answer
Dear Stephanie -

Yes, you need to file the paperwork with your service, via you career counselor.  AND your husband needs to file with his service via his career counselor.  You will both need notarized copies of your marriage certificate, and copies of each others' orders.  The judge advocate general's office will often have a notary, that will notarize your "true copy" marriage certificate.

Good luck to you both.