Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 7/27/2009

Question
Hi,
My husband wants to join the Army and hopes to also become a Ranger. Two of his selling points when we discussed his joining were the chance to travel and the enlistment bonus.
Its unclear to me though, through research online whether Rangers and families are only stationed here in the US or also overseas?
Also, I want my husband to get the best possible money deal out of this but it is not a top priority for him as he just wants to join and does not care about the enlistment bonus. Therefore, he is hesitant to ask the recruiter too much about the different ways he could get more money because he does not want him to think he is all about the money. How can I be sure we are getting the best "deal" and even what the current bonuses are?
My last question is regarding dependents. I have three children who are not my husbands kids. They currently spend every weekend with their dad but I have full custody. The recruiter advised my husband that 3 kids is likely too many to get in the Army and he told us to lie and say we only have one kid. Then, after boot camp, he can say that we just got custody of the other two. I think this is a terrible idea; should we go to a different recruiter?
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Answer
OK I will do my best to answer your questions in order and detail. Please feel free to follow up if you have more questions.

First overseas stationing: Overseas is a broad category but generally speaking Rangers that are in the Ranger units are stationed in the US at either Fort Benning, Hunter Army Airfield, or Fort Lewis. If your husband were going to be overseas, though, he would be stationed in Korea, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, or Germany. Those locations are, for the most part, places that you can accompany your husband. Certain places in Korea are prohibited to family members, but that's not the majority of the stations there. If your husband were to go overseas to participate in the fight in Afghanistan or Iraq or Africa, though, you would not be allowed to accompany him. Typical deployment for that is a year.
He should ask the recruiter about every possible bonus and opportunity afforded to him. The recruiter has a job to do: getting people to sign up for the Army. He is going to do his job well and will thoroughly explain the options, but your husband should definitely ask all the questions he wants before he signs the contract. There is no shame in getting the best deal for himself and his family. Have the recruiter put everything they talk about down on paper and give your husband a chance to research it online or with other people.
Your recruiter should NEVER counsel you to lie. That could expose your husband to charges of fraudulent enlistment if he were to do so. He should be fully honest and detail everything so that the Army can properly take care of you and your family.
If you do not trust your recruiter you are free to go and speak with another recruiter.. There is nothing saying you have to work with just the one you are now.
I hope this helps and please feel free to follow up as many times as you like.