Posted on Mar 13, 2023
Can a spouse go to AIT if the AIT is longer than 20 weeks?
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My husband is getting ready to go to AIT at Fort Huachuca and he’ll be there for 42 weeks. We know that in the past dependents could go if AIT was longer than 20 weeks but we’ve heard this recently changed. I’ve looked all up and down the internet but I’m not able to find anything that supports this or that is up to date.
Posted in these groups: 
Advanced Individual Training (AIT) - 35T
Fort Huachuca
Spouse
Career Counselor
Career Advice
Advanced Individual Training (AIT) - 35T Fort Huachuca Spouse Career Counselor Career Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
I think what you're asking is "Will the government pay for me to accompany my husband" if I'm correct. You can always travel out to his AIT location on your dime and rent an apartment/house on your dime. Nothing will stop you from doing that and your husband won't get into trouble over it (BTW, short question about the military funding your being there .. it all depends on if he has PCS orders or not).
However, your husband isn't going to be spending the nights with you and it won't be until probably two months or so have gone by before he's even going to be allow any 'blanket pass policies'. Even then, the 'pass privileges' will likely be conditional on performance and only on weekends, holidays, etc.
Having said that, he STILL won't be spending the night off-post unless the Brigade Commander signs off on it (and he's only going to do it for something like "my wife is having a baby and I want to be there", "I need to be away for three days to attend my father's funeral", etc.)
However, your husband isn't going to be spending the nights with you and it won't be until probably two months or so have gone by before he's even going to be allow any 'blanket pass policies'. Even then, the 'pass privileges' will likely be conditional on performance and only on weekends, holidays, etc.
Having said that, he STILL won't be spending the night off-post unless the Brigade Commander signs off on it (and he's only going to do it for something like "my wife is having a baby and I want to be there", "I need to be away for three days to attend my father's funeral", etc.)
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Constance D
Is this a recent change? I am in the same situation, but with our newborn son and 42 weeks of AIT
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COL Randall C.
Constance D, it's been this way for over two years now. Back in 2021, TRADOC issued new policy that restricted the movement of Household Goods (HHG) or dependents to the training location for Soldiers that are in Initial Military Training (IMT) that occurred after 18 MAR 21. As Alicia Calligan stated in her question, the previous policy allowed it.
I couldn't dig up the original memo, but I've attached a follow-on clarification memo I was able to find.
Some of the confusion occurring is that people search for AIT or BCT - IMT is defined as all of that (and includes One Station Unit Training or OSUT). However, the TRADOC regulations and guidance to recruiters (through USAREC), MEPS locations (through MEPCOM) and the rest of the army was clear on the change.
Why the change? Basically it was a distraction for the Soldier and an unnecessary cost for the Army. The Soldiers were required to live in the barracks, weren't allowed to travel in POVs for the most part (until Phase IV+), and weren't allowed passes to go off-post (until Phase IV+) and would have to return by 2100. The Brigade Commander could give an exception to the off-post overnight restriction, but would likely only give those in extreme circumstances.
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https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/regulations/TR350-6.pdf
I couldn't dig up the original memo, but I've attached a follow-on clarification memo I was able to find.
Some of the confusion occurring is that people search for AIT or BCT - IMT is defined as all of that (and includes One Station Unit Training or OSUT). However, the TRADOC regulations and guidance to recruiters (through USAREC), MEPS locations (through MEPCOM) and the rest of the army was clear on the change.
Why the change? Basically it was a distraction for the Soldier and an unnecessary cost for the Army. The Soldiers were required to live in the barracks, weren't allowed to travel in POVs for the most part (until Phase IV+), and weren't allowed passes to go off-post (until Phase IV+) and would have to return by 2100. The Brigade Commander could give an exception to the off-post overnight restriction, but would likely only give those in extreme circumstances.
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https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/regulations/TR350-6.pdf
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Constance D
COL Randall C. thank you for this answer. Our recruiters did NOT inform us of this, and were not aware. My husband signed his contract and committed to 42 weeks of AIT under false claims that he could live with us and be around for our babies first year of life. To say we are frustrated is an understatement. For the right kind of student, living with his wife and child shouldn’t be a distraction, however I understand the intention of this rule. Truly so disappointed at the communication in regards to this so far.
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The Col. Is spot on as always.
I will add that I have seen multiple times where the Family joined the service meber only to be let down when the service member could not come to the spouses home after hours and in many weekends. There are also issues related to the visiting spouses running into issues where the service meber tries everything to be there for them including by violating policies and orders. This ultimatkey leeds to disciplinary action and even separation.
Unless everything is fully sanctioned too much can go wrong. I always recommend that the spouses stay at home, with family until they are added to the service members orders.
It is to easy to end a career before it gets started. Plus this is good practice for when he deploys later. You will learn coping measures that will be invaluable later. The Glass is always half full.
You are obviously both adults, you will make the decision that is right for you, hopefully that is for both of you.
I will add that I have seen multiple times where the Family joined the service meber only to be let down when the service member could not come to the spouses home after hours and in many weekends. There are also issues related to the visiting spouses running into issues where the service meber tries everything to be there for them including by violating policies and orders. This ultimatkey leeds to disciplinary action and even separation.
Unless everything is fully sanctioned too much can go wrong. I always recommend that the spouses stay at home, with family until they are added to the service members orders.
It is to easy to end a career before it gets started. Plus this is good practice for when he deploys later. You will learn coping measures that will be invaluable later. The Glass is always half full.
You are obviously both adults, you will make the decision that is right for you, hopefully that is for both of you.
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