Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/9/2007

Question
I have a couple of questions. First, if I enlist do I have to live on base all the time?  That is why I am leaning more to reserves.  My other question is when I go to boot camp will I receive any of my bonus upfront?  I want to join, but I do have bills that have to be paid during that 8 weeks.

Answer
Dear Christina --

During boot camp, you will live on base, and you will not  have any free time.  This is true whether you are active or reserve.  You will be paid your basic pay during your training.

Generally, at your first duty station, you will have to live in service provided housing.  You will have much more free time.  After you earn some rank you may be allowed to live off base.  Each base is a little different, and rules will depend on availability and quality of housing, number of Soldiers or sailors on base, and the level of trust your command has for you.

When your enlistment bonus is paid to you depends on what you have agreed to in your enlistment contract.  Usually you will be paid half your bonus when you complete your initial training, and the remaining half at the next yearly anniversary of that date.  You can have your bonus payments scheduled for other times, but you must work that out with your recruiter.  Your recruiter will have to follow the bonus payment guidelines set by regulation and Congressional budget rules.

Good luck to you.