Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 6/30/2009

Question
Hi.  My cousin and I are very close and have recently
decided that we would like to move in together.  He is in
the army and would like to be stationed overseas.  Since I
am not a military dependent I would not be able to live on
base with him overseas.  We heard that I could if I became
his dependent (I am over the age of 18).  He talked to DEERS
and they said we would have to prove that I could not
financially take care of myself.  Would this be a hard
process? Is there by chance another way to be able to move
overseas with him and be able to live on base? I am not
interested in his Military discounts or Military insurance
we just want to live together.  

I am also currently in college in another state from him and
we do not plan on taking action until I graduate (which will
be soon!). After I'm out I will have a lot of loans to pay
back.  Could this help prove that I need help financially?

Thank you so much for considering my question and taking the
time to answer it.  This will be a big help for us to get
the ball rolling on moving in together.

Answer
I have never even heard of someone not immediately related to the servicemember being declared a dependent much less a cousin. Overseas moves are difficult as you need to either be a dependent or a legal immigrant to whatever country you are going to. There's really no middle ground as, if you are a dependent you are entitled to all benefits therein, but if not, you're not. Loans generally aren't a great measure of being financially unfit, but also you will have little opportunity to get a job overseas as there are more people that want them than jobs. I think you're honestly just going to have to look at being stationed here in the United States where it is easier to deal with that kind of stuff.