getting married to a soldier?

Question

I am currently engaged to a soldier living in Germany. He is coming home on leave in July to get married. He changes duty stations back to the states in December and I will go to live with him then. After we tie the knot, what do we need to do for the army records? I've been told I need to get an ID, but I have no idea how or why. Thanks!

Answer 1

The ID card is your access to all of your military benefits. You can't get on post, use your health insurance, or shop at the commissary or PX without one.

To get your ID card, you will have to take the certified copy of your marriage license, your social security card (with your new name if you are changing it), and a photo ID to the DEERS office. Your husband will have to go with you unless you have a DEERS power of attorney. Once they give you and ID card, ask for the paperwork you need to verify DEERS enrollment. Take that paper to the Tricare (insurance) office to get enrolled in the medical insurance. You really need to get this taken care of while he is home on leave in July, or else you won't have medical insurance. I'm not sure how far you are from a military installation, but I think you may be able to take care of the ID card anywhere (Air Force base, whatever is closest).

Also, make sure you have access to the bank account his paycheck is deposited into if you are going to need money!

Someone in your husband's unit should be able to help him figure out what all he needs. Other things that are good to have, but not necessary at first, are a power of attorney and DoD vehicle decals so that you can get on military installations. You will need these things eventually, but since it sounds like you are going to be living stateside without him until December, it can probably wait until then.

Congrats on your marriage. Being an Army wife is a crazy ride, but once you get used to it you'll really enjoy it!

Answer 2

Congratulations. The ID identifies you as a military dependent with rights and privileges. You need it to do just about anything associated with the military and/or the base.

You two should plan sometime soon after you're married before he heads back to Germany to get to a base ID office and make sure your paperwork is correct. You'll need a picture ID, your social security card (photocopies or just the number do NOT count for this) and your marriage certificate. The ID office should walk you through the process from there.

You can do this at any base of any branch. For example, my DH is Navy but I got my first ID at the closest Army base and renewed IDs at an Air Force base while we were on shore duty. You might check because some offices prefer to do new id's by appointment or during certain hours and it makes your life easier if you follow their rules. A quick call to them can usually clear up whether we're telling you the right things to bring, too.

Oh, and you might check to see if your picture ID and your SS card need to be in your married name or if your old name and the marriage certificate are enough. You might need to take more than a day if you have to hit the SS office and the motor vehicle department, too.

Answer 3

Hi,
First of all congratulations. Now, back to your question. Once you are married, you become a military dependent, which means your husband is employed by the military and so in essance, the money your soldier makes is not only to support him, but you too. Your husband will need to bring an original marriage certificate to his unit. This will put you into the computer system as a dependent. Your husband will be entitled to higher BAH (housing allowance) or if you live on base he will be assigned a bigger house. Then, once you ae entered into the system, he can take you to the nearest base with the marriage certificate and your Drivers Licenseand there should be an ID office. You will get a dependent card and this will allow you to enter and leave military bases and also use military services. This includes the Commisary (the grocery store) and the PX (which is like a huge department store). These places are generally cheaper then civilian stores, but the quality and the name brands are the same. Some places offer discounts and free passes if you are in the military or a dependent. Places like Sea World and Bush Gardens offer free admission to military families. You just have to show your card. I hope this answers your questions.
Try this link for some discounts offered.
http://www.4militaryfamilies.com/militarydiscounts.htm
You will also need your card if you need to access medical care.

Answer 4

First of all, Congratulations on the engagement!

When you get married, you will want to get the Military Dependant ID card. This card will show you are authorized to get medical care at the post hospital; will authorize you to shop at the Commissary (grocery store) and the Post Exchange (PX) which is a department store on post. If you live in the Militarly Family Housing that is usually on base and you'll need your ID card to get into the housing area. I know that sounds weird, but having armed guards protecting your housing area is actually pretty nice.

You will need to take your marriage certificate (not the license) to the personnel office on post. You will want to bring an official picture ID like your driver's license to prove you are the woman on the marriage certificate. He will go with you and sign papers that get you the military ID card. Being a military dependant means nothing at all about how much money you make as compared to your soldier/husband. It just means that he is the reason you get all of the benefits from the Army (or any other military service).

Should you two ever have children, they will receive the same benefits although they do not get their own ID card until they turn 10 years old. While you are in the hospital your medical care is totally free; you just have to pay for your food. My two sons cost $25.00 each when they were born--the price of my wife's food while in the hosptial for their births.

Answer 5

Unless you really love the guy & can withstand long lonely periods of separation for training and Isolated assignments and or cannot fully support him in accomplishing his assigned Military Missions----don't. As this will only hurt his career.

But, you will need a Military Identification to be able to obtain all the Miltary Benefits such as Medical,Post Exchange and Commissary priviledge. Also the Military has a complete Morale & welfare program around the world to enclude,beaches,hotels and space avaiable travel on Military Aircraft.

Getting the ID is easy obtained on whichever Military Post your husband is stationed. You will need to take a copy of your Marriage Certificate and he will need to go along and show his ID Card also and sign the necessary paper work.

Answer 6

Immediately after you get married, go to the base ID Section with your Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, and apply for entry into the DEERs system. This will generate an ID card for you, and enroll you in the Tri-Care Medical Insurance program. There will be additional forms for life insurance and such, but get them done ASAP.

Answer 7

First, congratulations on your impending marriage! Once you get married, you will need a copy of your marriage certificate, your SS card and a state ID in order to get a military issued ID. The people he is dealing with back in the states will be able to help you get that. You need one to get on bases. Congratulations again and good luck.

Answer 8

Your husband is the one who needs to do this stuff WHEN you get married and not after he transfers back to the states. He needs to go to his admin office and turn in a copy of your marriage certificate. They will then add you as dependent on his Page 2. Then he needs to take you to the same office to get you an Armed Service ID card for dependents. This is what you need to carry on you at all times when on base or going to medical or using any other military service. He will need to get you added to DEERS which will give you full medical coverage through TRICARE. This is all on him and he should already know what to do, if not he needs to start asking his chain of command what to do when you do in fact get married. If her doesn't do all of this (plus more) and anythng happens to you or to him it will be a giant mess and you will not get any benefits whatsoever.

Answer 9

It puts you as a dependent in the system and allows you entry to the base, commissary, Post exchange, If he is on Active duty it gives you and your children insurance, You can rent from Army rec services, see movies on base, Take correspondence courses for free.
Its your Key to the universe

Answer 10

When you get married you will want your military ID for shopping in the Commissary, BX or for medical use and most importantly to get on base. You'll be walked through the process, don't worry.