Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 12/17/2009

Question
Hello. I'm hoping you can help me with some setbacks. I am currently 17 years old, and my friend (also seventeen) and I are interested in the Buddy Option. I saw that if we join the Army with the Buddy Program, my friend and I will attend the same basic training, but later be separated. Is there any way we could extend the Buddy Program so that we are together the WHOLE time during our service and not be separated at all?

Answer
As far as I understand the buddy option you go to basic training, AIT, and your first duty station together.  If they have changed it, you can still request this as long as you both agree on the job you want. Here's the other thing, though. They don't guarantee you the same UNIT of assignment when you get where you're going. Example would be you getting assigned to Fort Bliss, TX.  There are many units here, so if you were a supply clerk you could be assigned to one unit and your friend to another.  This means you'd be on the same base, but could potentially have different work and deployment schedules. So the short answer is that the Army should be able to guarantee you togetherness until you get to the base you are assigned to. After that you could be near each other but not together. As with anything, read your contracts before signing them and ensure they say the same thing.