Anyone know anything about military pay?

Question

My husband has been in Boot Camp for 1 month now. They told us we would have his pay direct deposited on Mar. 15th and it was never put in. Everytime I call his recruiting officer, he never returns my calls or says he is gonna do something and never does. My husband has said a few times he has no idea what he is talking about. Like he said that he would have finance pull him aside and sign papers for a grace pay 2 weeks ago and my husband knows nothing about it. Does anyone know anything about military pay that could tell me what might be going on or if there is someone else that I can talk to about whats going on? Cause like I said, his recruiting officer doesnt seem to want to help. Thanks

Answer 1

My son went to boot camp in San Diego and he was not able to access any of his money until after his boot camp graduation! They deposited it all in one lump sum (as someone else already mentioned on here) at the end of his 3 months. I remember going to the ATM at the food court after he graduated and he checked his balance and was so relieved and withdrew some money right away!

Maybe each military branch is different, and it may be different if you are married before you enter boot camp---I don't know. I am surprised that they promised him any kind of direct deposit so soon though after he started boot camp. I am sorry that you are having to go through this because I know what it's like to be told to expect $$ in your account on a certain day, and then it's not there. I really hope you can get this all straightened out too.

By the way, the recruiter really is not much help after he gets you processed in! He's done his job and is probably not going to be very helpful now that your husband has started boot camp. And I would advise your husband NOT to talk to his Drill Instructors about it--that may cause him a lot of grief.

Good luck--hope something works out for you soon.

Answer 2

Really there is nothing you can do to speed up the process. It all depends on your husband. He has to be the one to say something. You just said he went to boot camp so I think that a pay check is the last thing on his mind. The recruiter has nothing to do with him anymore. He belongs to the drill sgt until he completes basic.
If you call the company where he is at the process might get sped up. On the other hand he will probably endure more physical pain because his wife is trying to work out His problems. But whatever, it's your money and he's earning it.
Another thing you might not be aware of is when you enter boot camp there are a lot of things that you have to buy in the first week while you inprocess at the reception. They give you an advance pay and deduct it from your first paycheck. Not too many people know or remember that.

Answer 3

I wouldn't think there would be much his recruiter could do. Has he requested to speak to the finance people ? Call the commanding officer of the training command where he is in training and don't take no for an answer.
When I went through bootcamp (I was single) I don't remember anyone in my platoon getting any pay until a lump sum check one week prior to graduation. Then again that was 25 years ago.

Answer 4

It might be different for each military branch but I know in the Air Force we have a website that carries all our pay information, it's called MYPAY. It doesn't have to be accessed through a military land line, it can be accessed through the web at your home. But you will need his info. Once you gain access you can make sure the payment and account info is correct.

Secondly, call the military unit closest to you and mention your problem to them if you don't know what unit your husband has been assigned to yet, otherwise just contact his unit. There is only one place there that is in charge of military pay and they will gladly assist you.

Military payment is on the 1st and the fifteenth of each month in case you didn't know. Don't feel bad about hounding your husbands recruiter either. Hound him...he should be taking care of this. He is responsible for things until your husband enters his unit.

If you find that after these things are done that you still aren't receiving payment then go ahead and click on my profile and send me an email. I may be able to help.

Answer 5

Like the people above have said, it can sometimes take a while for the first paycheck to come through. The pay system can be slow to get set up. The recruiter can't do anything about it. Your husband needs to talk to finance and his drill sergeants and tell them that you need money to pay bills. Once he gets into the pay system, you should not have the problem again.

Also, if you are really desperate for money, the Army organization to contact is Army Emergency Relief. They will give you an interest-free loan or sometimes even a grant to help pay the bills. They do limit what they will pay for - they'll pay your rent or utilities, but they won't help you buy a new car.

Here is their website if you need it:

http://www.aerhq.org/

Also, myPay is the online system where you can check all his info, but he may not have it set up yet. You would need his SSN and PIN to get onto it. My husband didn't have his access set up until he'd been in almost 2 years (and we got married and I did it for him), so he may not have it yet. Here's the website just in case:

https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx

DO NOT EVER GO TO mypay.com - its a phishing scam designed to get your husband's log-in info and then steal his paycheck!!

Answer 6

When my husbnd went to basic three years ago, he didn't get his first paycheck until the end of the second month. it's takes that long for them to process him in and get him paid. they should've told him that up front. They pretty much don't get paid mich of anything for the first month anyway because when they arrive, they re given a $250 AAFES card to buy what they need and that $250 comes right out of the first check. If you are having financial problems because he hasn't gotten paid yet, go to the Family Support Center at you base and find out about getting a Air Force Aid Loan. they can also contact all you creditors and let them know what is going on. I couldn't pay rent for the two months we were waiting for my husband's first check and Family Support really helped us out! Ogf course this is for AF but the Army should have the same programs!

Good LUCK!

Answer 7

I recently retired from Finance and Accounting in the Army. My son left for Army basic March 7th, and had his first week's pay in the bank on March 23rd (paid for 1st thru 15th). Don't talk to the recruiter, they say yes and then do nothing. Your husband needs to talk to his company commander and let him know that not getting paid is causing a financial hardship on his family back home. His commander can intervene and get him paid promptly, even if it is an advance until they can get things sorted out. Military.com is an excellent web site full of information if you are not sure of military stuff and want to educate yourself. As a last resort, you can call your congressman to intervene on behalf of you and your husband if he cannot get things resolved where he's at. Shoot, since my son's been in, my wife has already spoken to my son's JAG officer, and my son himself to get things taken care of. Most people on Post are helpful and will direct you to the right person.

Answer 8

stop calling the recruiter. this is not his job. your husband needs to go to his command and ask. when in navy boot camp they set you up a military bank account that your pay goes in to. with navy federal. most of your pay covers uniforms boots and what you need while in boot camp and that's all removed if there is any left which there usually isn't its then deposited into you new account. your husband needs to go to the dispersing office and talk to them its their job not the recruiters

Answer 9

the military only pays by direct deposit. i know i am retired military. He would have to give the correct account number to your bank. If it hasn't showed up yet, there is a problem, tell him to talk to the pay clerk, the recrutier is done, there are two paydays each month the 1st and the 15th. good luck.

Answer 10

I am a Army Financial Management Specialist 44C. A soldier gets paid 30 days after he does in processing in reception. He probably won't get a chance to but he can setup a Mypay account online. https://mypay.dfas.mil/. So he can keep track and no when his payments are processed. After one month in 15 days its up to your husband to notify the drill sergeant. He will be the only one to hurry up and get things fixed. I've witness similar things in basic and AIT.