Expert: Rod Powers - 6/3/2007

Question
I am about to marry another Marine, we have both just pinned on LCpl,and are currently in school. He is in C school in LeMoore, CA soon to class up and already has his orders for his permanent duty station to Miramar, CA. I am at the end of my A school in Pensacola, FL, but yet to receive my orders to C school. We're trying our best to be on top of things, to know all of the info we need to know, and to make sure we are prepared for our future together. It's easy to find pay charts, benefits, and allowances charts, but I'm totally confused on what to expect bc with us both being active duty i'm not sure if one of us is considered a dependant or not, bc i've already been told that the Marine with the higher paygrade recieves the benefits. You were so helpful before when I had questions about joining the military, and I wanted to come to you with my questions about pay, benefits anad allowances, for Married enlisted. I also want ot make sure we're receiving all the benefits we are entitled to.
Thank you,
LCpl Woods, Christi N.

Answer
Hi Christi,

If you get married, neither one of you is a "dependent" to the other. Because there are no children, neither one of you has "dependents," so both of you are considered to be "single" in the eyes of the Military, with the exception that if you are stationed together, you will both be authorized to reside off-base at government expense.

When he arrives at his first duty station, he will most likely be allowed to move off base at government expense (on the assumption that you will ultimately be assigned there), and he will receive single-rate housing allowance (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/housingallowance/a/07enlnodep.htm).

While you are in training, you will be living in the barracks, and -- as such -- will not receive a housing allowance.

Once you join him at your first permanent duty station, you will also be allowed to reside off-base at government expense, and you will also receive single-rate housing allowance.

If you two ever have children, then one of you will receive single-rate housing allowance and the other will receive "with dependent rate" housing allowance. Usually the higher ranking person claims the "with dependent rate" allowance, because it generally means more money.

In short, if you two get married, because you are both on active duty, there are *no dependents*, so neither one of you get extra money (other than you'll both probably be authorized to live off base, and both receive single-rate housing allowance). If you have kids, *one* of you will be allowed to claim those kids for Military pay purposes, and be able to receive extra housing allowance rates for those dependents, and the other will continue to receive single-rate housing allowance.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com