questions about military life

[Tam_n_Fam]

Okay, I have a few questions, and I was hoping there would be a military wife out there who can help me.

My husband was a marine when we dated, but has been out for 3 years now.  He wants to go back in to another branch (likely the navy).  We are discussing all options.  Now I was all calm about everything, and then my best friend (who is a male and was active in the army and now in the national guard) is telling me horrors about military life and base housing and stuff like that.  I know that everything isn't peaches and cream, and my hubby was in the military before.  I just wondered is military housing okay, or are there secret horrors to it?  Any help or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!  And maybe help me ease my mind.

[SoKamele]

You don't have to get military housing. You can get the military housing allowance and then you can pick where you want to live. 

[nelopyma]

DH was in the Navy for several years and is now in the Air National Guard.  There are good and bad parts to active duty, as there are with any job, and your attitude will really make the difference.  If you're looking for positives, you'll find them, kwim?

Everyone has a horror story, but for every horror story, there are probably a dozen good stories.  You don't have to live in housing... if you choose to live off-base, you'll receive a housing allowance that will cover most, if not all, of your expenses.  We only lived in base housing once, and that was at DH's final duty station, and it wasn't bad.  The house wasn't spectacular, but it was better than what we could afford off-base, and we managed just fine.

[Beckera]

Miltary housing is what you make of it. There are benefits to it .. maintence included, no rent, neighbors that you have something in common with, safe/secure area -- and then there are teh downsides : Very close quarters, on base so you've got to deal with that.

 

Are there specific questions you have about military housing? I was a military wife for 11 years so I've seen most of it.

[chrisdoll]

I am an ex-wife, but I will tell ya....things are changing on the bases.  Army wise, the housing is going or being monitored, or hmmmm dealt with by a civilian contractor.  Your housing pay will be on your LES, but it automatically goes to them, unlike if you were living off base.  They are renovating them and taking care of them alittle better.  Granted there are some that are better than others, just like living out in the 'real world'.  But with my experiences, if I marry into the military again (which I hope to be doing ;)), I won't ever live on base again.  The people that are usually on base are USUALLY (of course there are exceptions to the rule) those who cannot pay the deposits, they are those who are major gossips and in everyone's business, or majorly stuck up........etc.  I like quiet and to be nice to one another, and the drama amongst kids I don't want to have either, and it seems to multipy on base as well.

So, like I said, there are pros and cons....but I would take your money you are given for living and find you a place off base!  Especially when you have to deal with some of the waiting lists are just stupid as well!

Good luck!

[Tam_n_Fam]

Thanks so much.  You see, when my hubby and I married 4 years ago, we lived in Hickman, KY (i moved to be with him from NYC).  We got married had our son, couldn't get jobs out of walmart (I have a BA).  Our son got sick at 6 weeks.  Needed emergency surgery (he is fine now thank goodness).  I had to sell our house (and lost money doing so). Paid off the bills and moved back to NYC and rent from my family.  My husband works at target and gets his hours cut a lot.  It wasn't so bad because I was a preschool teacher and going to grad school.  My job decided they wanted someone more qualified and got rid of me.  That was most of our money.  My  hubby started talking more seriously about reinlisting, and even lost a lot of weight to be in the weight limit.  I think he is tired of not being able to provide for us.  We have some money saved, but not enough to buy another house.  That is why I was asking about base housing and I am learning now there are other options too.  He doesn't know about this stuff becuase he didn't have any married buddies back when he was in the first time.

For me, it is mostly just knowing a bit what to expect.  So all this info is great.  I really do appreciate it.

[nelopyma]

Quoting chrisdoll: The people that are usually on base are USUALLY (of course there are exceptions to the rule) those who cannot pay the deposits, they are those who are major gossips and in everyone's business, or majorly stuck up........etc.  I like quiet and to be nice to one another, and the drama amongst kids I don't want to have either, and it seems to multipy on base as well.

That's something that I haven't found to be true.  In fact, most of the people I knew who lived on base were middle and senior enlisted or officer... the base housing options were better than the rental options in the area, since most active duty people don't buy houses due to moving frequently.

Drama is everywhere.  Some of my worst neighbors ever are right now... we bought this house 4 years ago, and they started renting the house across the street about 6 months ago.  I've called the cops on them once.

[cnruiz917]

My hubby is active duty Air force, we have been married for 9yrs ... Base housing is ok depends on what base you are out.  We lived on base at our current base for 1yrs, then had issues and because they were getting a new housing company we chose to move off base and have been very happy.  YOu get a decent housing allowance ours covers our rent, and most of our electric and water bill. Some bases for air force are getting new houses built which arent bad at all.  However what others have not mentioned is that deployments for army and marines are long and often. Navy i think goes out every 6months.. and air force is every 4months right now, always subject to change.  I know army wives, navy wives and i think we have it better to be honest but thats jmo...  I love the job security and medical and benefits that we get. I can live like i know where our money is coming from and not worry about with how the economy is and us losing  a job. That makes life a lot less stressful. I am sure everyone has horror stories, I dont, i love military life wouldnt change it for the world. I would love to stop TDY;s or deployments and hopefully they wont be so bad one day.  I think there are alot of pros for going back in and less cons personally.  But ultimately only you guys can make that choice.. I say yes.. do it... sign up for 4yrs and what have you totally lost in that 4yrs for trying? not much.. good luck..

[nelopyma]

Quoting cnruiz917:

My hubby is active duty Air force, we have been married for 9yrs ... Base housing is ok depends on what base you are out.  We lived on base at our current base for 1yrs, then had issues and because they were getting a new housing company we chose to move off base and have been very happy.  YOu get a decent housing allowance ours covers our rent, and most of our electric and water bill. Some bases for air force are getting new houses built which arent bad at all.  However what others have not mentioned is that deployments for army and marines are long and often. Navy i think goes out every 6months.. and air force is every 4months right now, always subject to change.  I know army wives, navy wives and i think we have it better to be honest but thats jmo...  I love the job security and medical and benefits that we get. I can live like i know where our money is coming from and not worry about with how the economy is and us losing  a job. That makes life a lot less stressful. I am sure everyone has horror stories, I dont, i love military life wouldnt change it for the world. I would love to stop TDY;s or deployments and hopefully they wont be so bad one day.  I think there are alot of pros for going back in and less cons personally.  But ultimately only you guys can make that choice.. I say yes.. do it... sign up for 4yrs and what have you totally lost in that 4yrs for trying? not much.. good luck..

Navy people are typically gone more than Air Force, yes.  The schedule is kind of difficult to understand for other branches, though... you'll do a sea tour (typically 3-4 years, includes deployments of 6 months, and lots of other shorter underways at sea), and then you'll do a shore tour, where you typically don't go anywhere at all, and then back to a sea tour.

When DH was on sea duty, he was gone about 60-70% of each year.  When he was on shore duty, he went to one 3-month school, and that was it for the 3 years.

[nwest1999]

Hello,

I am an army wife of five years.  I have only lived on base once, and that's because we were overseas in Germany.  I have to tell you, the housing there was very nice.  As others have mentioned, the housing contractors now are starting to upgrade everything here.   Where we are stationed now, the base housing is actually very nice and they are building more (we don't live on base, I've just been through it).  Also, BAH is so nice because you CAN pick somewhere else to live and not have to worry about base housing.  Enlisted for something like 4 years is a good way for your husband to get his footing to help out.  Also, you guys should be able to qualify for a VA home loan whenever you get the chance to settle down.  The part about military life that is the hardest for me is the constant moving.  But, for a short enlistment, you shouldn't have to move too terribly much.  Not to mention the fact that health insurance is totally free.  There is nowhere else in the world that has that--at least not that I know of!  And since it's getting more and more expensive every day, that's a great expensive to relieve from yourself, and can help you save more money.  Hopefully it will all work out for you.  Good luck with whatever you decide!

[dragontear]

First thing I would tell you is do your research once your husband re-enlist and you know where you duty station will be. Put your name on the housing list, because sometimes the list is long and it might take a while. Then you can check the housing market off post and see which is better for the family. Some bases/post are kind of far from some towns you so you have to take that into account also. I see so many families that don't have there stuff together when the PSC to a new duty station. You can stay on post lodging for ten days which you get your money back after that it's out of pocket. I wish you luck if you have any questions please ask me if I can I will try to help you. I've been married for sixteen years, military brat and I' m also a Army vet.  Good Luck