Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/22/2007

Question
We have already decided to get married. We decided this about a month ago. We did not just decide to get married because he is gone and we miss each other. It wasn't like that at all. So if i am understanding this right i am not allowed to go with him when he comes back.  I should wait until the housing becomes approved and then i am allowed to move in with him. You said that off post living may not be approved for first term soilders. This is his first time in the army. Does that mean we might not get to live together for a very long time?? Sorry i am new to this, and i am really confused? PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Dear Laura --

A Soldier's status when they enlist determines their first duty station entitlements.  Since your fiance was single when he enlisted, he will be treated as a single Soldier until he receives his next permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

What that means is that you will not be "sponsored" by the Army to move with him.  You can pay to move yourself to join him, but he is not guaranteed to be allowed to live off-post with you, and he is not guaranteed on-post family housing.

It is possible, that if he does not yet have his orders for his first duty station, that he can add you to his DEERS as soon as you are married.  Then, when his orders are cut (written and published), he can state that he has a family and get joint movement authorized, so the Army will pay to move you and your things along with him.

If his timing is lucky (he doesn't already have follow-on assignment orders) then you can move with him.  He will be authorized a basic allowance for housing (BAH) and you can live together off-post.  It is possible you may even qualify for an on-post apartment, or townhouse.

I apologize for not being more definitive.  The rules say a new spouse cannot join the Soldier at Army expense, if the Soldier's orders were cut before the Soldier married.  However, since follow-on orders sometimes change after Advance Individual Training (AIT), there is a loop-hole that may allow you to join your husband earlier.  

I recommend being patient and working with your fiance to determine the status of his orders, and the type of duty station he will move to for his first tour.  With that knowledge determine when the best time for you to join him will be.  

You should not join him, if he will be deployed for long periods of time.  If his first assignment will keep him deployed, I recommend you stay where you have friends and family, and he take his R&R time (leave time) with you there.  If he will be staying state-side for a while and you will have time to make friends before he deploys, then it will be okay for you to join him at his new duty station.

Please write back, if you learn more details, and I can answer more directly.

Best of luck to you both.