Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/6/2004

Question
My fiance is currently at boot camp. He graduates the 10th of December. Our wedding is the 18th of December. When he goes back will  get to go with him or will i have to wait a while or what? What do we need to do in order for me to live with him? im clueless about the army life and im seeking information. Can you help me?

Answer
Dear Sarah --

You generally will not be able to join your husband until he completes his advanced individual training (AIT). AIT is his specialty training that comes after basic training. He will probably report back for AIT some time in early January. However, the length of the training depends on the specialty he is learning. It can last anywhere from 90 days to a full year. If he has volunteered for Airborne, Air Assault or ranger training, that adds an additional 4 to 10 weeks to his training time.

Once he has graduated, and knows which unit he is going to, and where that unit is serving, you can decide what you should do as a family. If he is going to a unit that will not deploy for a while, you can generally move with him, and get an apartment near the base. If he is going to a unit that is deploying, you may want to stay near your family and friends until he returns.

When you find out the unit and base he is assigned, you can usually find the post website. That will tell you about getting military housing, the local base and the local town. That information should help you plan the best options for you.

As soon as you are married, ensure your husband takes you to the nearest military installation so you can get your family member ID card. That ID is required for you to get medical care, qualify for housing, and use other military facilities.

There are other resources you can use to find information. Look at the Army website, and get an issue of Military Spouse magazine. Feel free to write back, if you come up with other questions you would like answered.

Best of luck to both of you.