How difficult is it to join the military with a family?

Lauren Jones — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 17:19:47 -0400

I have wanted to join the military since I was in high school, I never did and now at 26 with a husband and child I am heavily thinking about it, I know they can't be there during basic training obviously however what happens after basic training? Will my family be able to move with me right away? Do I get paid during basic training so that I can pay rent at our house before relocating? Is it difficult to join the military if you already have a family? Any advice please?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2022 5:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 17:52:31 -0400

Lauren Jones Herre is a previous post. Have you talked to a recruiter?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-s-your-opinion-on-joining-the-military-with-children

What’s your opinion on joining the military with children? | RallyPoint

I’m looking into the army it’s always been a dream I have alright civilian job but want better for my family I have two small kids what’s your opinion on the military?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2022 7:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 19:35:32 -0400

Joining at a later age presents some issues, but nothing that can't be overcome. Joining with a spouse and child, while difficult, can still be successfully done. It's a challenge, but a beatable challenge. After Basic Training, you would go to AIT, then after AIT you will then go to your permanent assignment. Depending on where you go, yes your family can join you afterwards...as soon as all of the required paperwork has been completed and processed. And yes, you will get paid during Basic. You'll also receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) stipend to help pay rent. The BAH rate for you would be dependent on your Zip Code and your rank.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2022 9:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 21:08:23 -0400

It's ranges from completely doable to essentially impossible. It all hinges on the support you get from your family in order to make it work.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2022 9:24 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 21:24:47 -0400

The only big obstacle would be your choice of branch. You might have a better chance with the Army. The Air Force is very picky when it comes to folks already with a family.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 23 at 2022 9:59 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 21:59:02 -0400

Have you talked to a recruiter yet? Because a recruiter can answer all your questions and have the most accurate info.

Yes you get paid in basic and AIT. It depends on what MOS you pick where you go for AIT (Advanced Individual Training where you learn your MOS). It's probably unlikely that your family comes to AIT unless you have a job with a really long AIT. You get BAH with dependent rate as mentioned below it seems.

The biggest issue is going to be your husband and if he really thinks he can handle you being gone for months. I think basic is what, 11 weeks now? That's just basic. My AIT was 16 weeks and 4 days. If you think your marriage will survive you being gone and all that, then go for it. This is an Army perspective - I don't know about other branches.

Your best best is to go talk to recruiters from all services.

If you want any insight into being a woman in the Army, you can PM me.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 24 at 2022 10:44 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 10:44:20 -0400

First off, I was 27 when I went to Infantry One Station Unit training, so don't sweat your age. There are some Military Occupational Specialties that are exceptions to this following statement, but you will attend Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training on Temporary Duty Enroute status and will not be able to bring your family until you get your first duty station, assuming it is one that allows them. That is most place, except some places like Korea.
Yes, you get paid at Basic Combat Training. Your recruiter should tell you what paper work you need to get your family covered by Tricare (military insurance for the families) and you will get Basic Allowance Housing with Dependents while you are in Basic and AIT. The rate will depend on the zip code of your current location. After you hit your first assignment, you will either get Base Housing or Basic Allowance Housing for the zip code of your duty station. You will also get a Basic Allowance for Subsistance if you aren't in the barracks and have access to the mess facilities.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 24 at 2022 1:28 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:28:02 -0400

Yes you can do it. Entry Level training isn't filled with only single folks. It isn't easy but it also isn't impossible. After entry level training at bootcamp and AIT you'll head to your duty station where you'll bring your family. Speak to a recruiter and they will be able to answer all of your questions.

Response by CPO David R. D. made Aug 24 at 2022 3:53 PM

CPO David R. D. — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:53:40 -0400

I was 26yrs old when I enlisted in 1992. I was married and we had two little girls. When I graduated from boot camp, my pay check (and it was a check, not direct deposit back then) was $1,990 while single Sailors were getting checks for $500. Yes, I got BAH and paid as an E3 during boot camp, while my family was living in Oregon.

I was in training (A & C schools) for almost a year after graduating boot camp. My family was not with me for the first 5 months of training, while I was at Ft. Devens, leaning Morse Code, however; I was authorized to take my family to Pensacola, on my "own dime" from December '92 to June '93. I had to cover the charge of moving them as well, or I should say the gov't only reimbursed me for the cost it would have been to move them from Oregon to Alameda, CA where my first ship (command) was located. I was authorized military housing at Alameda, and it was available as soon as we arrived.
What I would recommend, if you choose to enter, have your family stay where they are until you get to your first permanent station, and the military will / should move them out. Since they already know about them, and they will be in DEERS and your Page 2, the military will cover the cost of that move. If you don't want to live in housing, you'll get Basic Allowance for Housing, from the time you start boot camp, kind of nice actually, based on your location.
Just note, my experience with entering the Navy at the age of 26 was 30 years ago. I retired in 2016. Best decision ever was to stay in.
I now get a paycheck every month, full medical benefits for the rest of my and my wife's life.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 25 at 2022 1:51 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 13:51:02 -0400

First, review the web sites for all six Services (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force). All will list the requirements to join their Service. They are similar, but not necessarily identical. If you believe you meet the requirements, then it's time to talk to recruiters.

Recruiters have a wealth of knowledge about the jobs within their service and the training that's available. They also have quotas for the types of recruits they need to bring in. Because of equal opportunity laws, they probably cannot ask if you are married, or have kids. or possibly even your sex/gender. They must determine if you are at least 18 so you can legally enlist. They may also need to make sure you don't require an age waiver. You can volunteer all of this information. They will run a background check.

You need to decide which Services offer jobs you would like to do for the next 4 to 6 years of your life. Also, what training is offered and how long is the training after basic. They may offer an immediate accession date for some specialties but significant delays for others. Be sure to know what you want.

All of the Services pay the same for the same pay grade. An enlisted grade two (E-2) makes the same base pay in all of the Services. The recruiter can explain other allowances and pay. Sign-on bonus may vary among the services and jobs. Play close attention to this. Also, your post-training rank may be different depending on the school. Again, listen carefully. Rules about accompanied and unaccompanied assignments, temporary duty, and overseas assignments are best explained by a recruiter. In broad terms, your family can travel with you when you move from one assignment to another. You'll probably be allowed to live off-installation with your family, and you'll get an allowance for housing. Paychecks come twice a month or once a month, your choice, deposited directly to your bank. When you attend a short-term school, you aren't paid for your family to come with you. Lots and lots of other rules.

First things first, talk to recruiters from all the Services.