Expert: James Bell - 9/13/2008

Question
First off thank you for taking the time to read these questions and offer answers to any and everyone, including myself. My soon to be husband and I are planning a wedding before he goes to basic here in the next few months and I don't really know what to expect. I know, obviously I cannot go with him to basic but what about tech school? I am currently in school as well and am a nursing major but not currently in the program, just doing prereqs right now. Will I be aloud to go with him to tech school since we will be married and will I be able to go to the same tech school or a different one? How does the military help pay for that for me, as well as him or do they? He will be at the tech school for 7 months to a year, I think, from what his recruiter told him, but do they allow on base living for married couples or would he have to stay in a dorm type thing to where I can't come? Will  I even be able to visit him while he is enrolled in the tech. school, not every weekend considering I live in NC and that would be hard to get back and forth to TX and home. I jsut don't really know what to expect because, well I have never been a military wife, let alone a wife period. how will or when will the medical insurance and other benifits start "kicking in" for me as well as him?

If you can't answer any of these questions or provide extra information I haven't requested, its ok.. but I don't really know who to talk to or gather information from about this. I would really appreciate any extra information you can provide. I have TONS of questions so anything you can tell me about being an airman's wife, would would GREATLY appreciate!

Thank you again,

Jana

Answer
Jana -

Yes, your question is outside my area of expertise, but I can offer you what little I know from experience.  I will preface all this with your need to verify with a recruiter or someone else in authority, as I have been retired for several years and I'm sure things change.

As far as living with your husband in tech school, I wouldn't count on that.  As much as I'm sure you would like to, most military personnel are only allowed to get base housing for permanent party people, and not those on temporary duty or student status.  Your husband won't get his orders for his first permanent duty station until he is well into his first tech school.  You won't be able to see him in Basic Training, as he must concentrate 100% of his efforts on learning the basics of military life.  Once he is in tech school, you may visit him.  I have known some who have their wives move into the local community, but on-base housing is not available as he is not permanently assigned to the base and he will not get any sort of allowance to help offset the costs.  In some cases he may get permission to live with you, but that is on a case by case basis.

Once he gets his orders to his first permanent duty station, he will be able to apply for base housing while he is still in tech school.  Most bases have a waiting list, so this will allow him to move up on the list so there is less of a wait once you arrive.

As far as medical benefits and getting your military dependents ID card, that you would have to check with someone else.  I BELIEVE that your benefits would kick in after 4 months, as that is when most of HIS benefits kick in.

I hope I've given you a little bit of information.  If you have anymore questions, please don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell