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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Marrying an Airman
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Question
My fiance has recently decided to enlist in the Air Force, but we signed a 12 month lease that begins next week. If he enlists soon, would the Air Force pay his half of our rent? I am a college student, so I cant afford the entire rent myself. Or, if we got married BEFORE he left for Basic Training, could we qualify for BAH? Also, I am trying to figure out how long we will be apart. I know that Basic Training is 6 weeks, and he is interested in a career with vehicle mechanics, do you know how long this technical school lasts? Thanks for your help!
Hi Mary Ann,
If he is single (not married), then the Air Force will not pay any portion of his rent. This is because low-ranking single (unmarried members are usually required to live on base, in free military barracks. Under the Servicemember's Civil Relief Act, he would be entitled to break his lease (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/sscra/a/scra2.htm), but if you are also a signatory on the lease, that would leave you stuck with it -- "fiances" aren't protected under the SSCRA -- one has to be married (a spouse) to be protected under the act.
If you get married before he departs for basic training, he would be allowed to stay in the barracks during basic training and technical school "rent free," and still receive a housing allowance (BAH) to provide housing for his dependents (ie, you). For details, see Part 6 (http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/military6.htm) of my article, "What the Recruiter Never Told You," at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm
In fact, you may wish to read the entire article, as it will explain a lot about military pay and benefits, and how it works.
You may also want to read my article, "Getting Married -- Before or After Military Boot Camp?," as it explains the advantages and disadvantages of "tying the knot" before or after basic training. The article is available to read online at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/milmarriage.htm
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
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Answers by Expert:
Rod Powers
Expertise
Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience
Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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