Expert: Rod Powers - 10/28/2006

Question
Hi Rod, I have read much of your publications regarding what the recruiter never told you.  I want to know if some of the things you wrote are still accurate to date.  

Under the section 8, "leave and other goodies", You wrote "In general, if your school is longer than 20 weeks (at a single location), dependents are authorized to travel to the school location and set up a household, at government expense (see First Duty Station Travel Entitlements, below)".  Does this still apply?  And what do you mean by "in general"?

Also, during AIT training phases 4, 5, and 5+ are the restrictions still the same?  Furthermore, in phase 5+ you wrote "(1)  For those installations with the facilities to separate Phase V soldiers (at weeks 9/20), from other IET soldiers, privileges will be the same as permanent party soldiers."  What does this mean exactly (same as permanent party soldiers)?  I am thinking it means after 9 weeks of job training I can move off base and live with my family and just go to base M-F for job training.  

One last question.  Does the army provide any extra assistance for infants (i.e. formula or extra BAS for 4 dependants)?

-----Question-----
I am a recently married male with one step child and twins on the way.  I am eager to join the military.  I am not eligible for the airforce or the navy due to criminal and familial circumstances.  The army is my present and available option and I want to choose a job that is least likely to be deployed to irag.  I simply wish to be with my family if possible.  Do you have any advice?  I was told by my recruiter that chaplains assistant, paralegal and accountants are least likely to be deployed.  Is there any truth to this?
-----Answer-----
Hi Derek,

The answer to your question *used* to be pretty simple. Those with combat jobs deployed the most, those with combat support jobs deployed the next-most, and those with simple support jobs deployed the next most.

This is not true, anymore. First and foremost, if the Army needs you in a job in a deployment area, you'll be deployed to do that job, regardless of MOS (job). In other words, it's entirely possible to be trained as a Chaplain's Assistant, but get deployed to man MP checkpoints in Iraq. Second, Chaplains deploy to combat zones, and the chaplain's assistants go with them (as a matter of fact, in this case, they are given special combat training, because Chaplains are not allowed to carry weapons, so somebody has to be armed to protect them -- guess who?).

In truth, with the way the Army is deployed these days, you will most likely be deployed to a combat zone, regardless of your MOS (job).

On average, if you are combat arms, you can expect to spend a total of about two years of a four year enlistment deployed. If combat support, or support, maybe a year or 1 1/2 years of your four year active duty enlistment will be spent deployed.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


Answer
>>I want to know if some of the things you wrote are still accurate to date.<<

I update this article at least once per year, so -- yes -- it's still up to date.

>>Under the section 8, "leave and other goodies", You wrote "In general, if your school is longer than 20 weeks (at a single location), dependents are authorized to travel to the school location and set up a household, at government expense (see First Duty Station Travel Entitlements, below)".  Does this still apply?<<

Yes.

>>And what do you mean by "in general"?<<

I mentioned this restriction on purpose because the Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR) states that a particular branch can restrict this particular entitlement, if the service branch feels it is in the best interest of the service. However, at present, I know of no training course (in any of the branches), which imposes such a restriction (for courses 20 or more weeks long at a single location). That doesn't mean a branch can't/won't change the rules next week, however.

>>What does this mean exactly (same as permanent party soldiers)?  I am thinking it means after 9 weeks of job training I can move off base and live with my family and just go to base M-F for job training.<<

Close, but not exactly. What it means is that when you enter Phase V, your restrictions are the same as those who are assigned to that base as permanent party personnel. In other words, no curfew, you can be in civilian clothes when not on duty, etc. However, that doesn't mean you would necessarily be allowed to move off base (heck, not even permanent party personnel have that guarantee).

>>One last question.  Does the army provide any extra assistance for infants (i.e. formula or extra BAS for 4 dependants)?<<

Sorry, but no. BAS is designed to pay for meals for the SERVICE MEMBER, only, when it is not feasible for the member to consume meals in the chow hall. BAS is not designed to provide meals or support for dependents.

You will *not* receive extra pay based on your number of dependents. If authorized to live off base, you'll receive a housing allowance, with is based on the "with dependent" rate, but it's the same if you have one dependent or 14 dependents.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com