I'm about to get married to someone who is in the Army? What kind of benefits do they get?

Question

What is life like for the spouses of men in the Army?

This is a place to ask questions, is it not?? My question was what the benefits were. I never said that was the reason I am marrying him a**holes. I was just wondering what the benefits were. So don't call me shallow when you don't even know what your talking about.

Answer 1

i hope to God that's not the only reason you're marrying him....

Answer 2

Life for spouses of men in the Army!!! Good one. Depending on many different things such as his job, location, unit: It could be different anywhere you go. The basic benifits that go along with being a spouse is this. 100% paid medical, Some dental work, If you decide to live on post then it is a constant place to live (with only phone, cable, and internet bill), meet new people, gossip, drama, ect... What can you expect? With the high tempo of todays Army with the "Global War on Terrorism" going on Units are constantly deploying to Iraq and Afganistan. The tours overseas has been extended from 12 months to 15 months. During this deployment you spouse might (not promised) be able to come home for two lovely weeks of rest and relaxation. Expect alot of training before the deployment with lots of lonely nights at home, or late nights eating dinner by yourself. Sure during the deployment you and your spouse will earn anywhere from $800- $1,000 a month with the extra pay like family separation, hazardous duty, combat, and tax exempt. Which in turn helps out with taxes at the end of the year. But what you have to ask yourself is if you are ready to be there for your Husband when he comes home in a bad mood because of his chain of command or his guys does something that he did not like? Are you ready for those lonely nights in bed with just his smell on the pillow by your side? Can you stay true to him when he is away for 12-15 months and all you have is the telephone call that you get once a month maybe for him to convince you that he still loves you? Can you handle watching the news or reading the paper and seeing that soldiers got killed or wounded in the location that your husband is in not knowing if someone is going to come knock on your door and say "Ma'am i'm sorry".
I am not trying to sound mean or convince you to not marry this guy but being an army spouse is one of the toughest things there is to do mentally and physically. You need to make sure that you can handle these things and many more. There is alot of positive things that come from being an Army Spouse but when the Negative things start seeming to out weigh them you cant turn and run. It just makes things worse. So make sure you are ready.

Answer 3

I am retired Army so i have a decent idea of what I am talking about.

1. Free medical care for dependants if near an Army post and Tricare if not. Same for pharmacy.

2. Use of all military facilities such as commissary, PX, gymn. Also gets quarters allowance unless living on post.

3. Reduced fares at various public installations.

4. A large amount of life insurance.

A person has other benefits when they leave the service such as G.I. Bill and VA home loans

Another group of benefits come should the person elect to make a career of the military and retires from it.

I wish you and your fiance the best in the future.

If you have more questions feel free to email them to me
Bob

Answer 4

Well, I'm an Air Force wife, and that is pretty close to being an Army wife, since they work together all the time and share bases. There are a few little tips I can give you:

~ Try not to live on base if you can help it. It is like a giant Elementary School, if you know what I mean. Everyone is always in your business, and drama, drama, drama.

~ Dont make friends with officer's wives (unless your husband is an officer of course). Its against the rules to begin with, and it can get you in trouble if you are doing something you arent supposed to.

~ You get free health care. Use it!!

~ You are going to learn this quick: EVERYTHING is difficult when you are dealing with the military. I'm talking about MILES of red tape, incompitent people, dead ends, retarted rules & regulations, etc.... So if something goes wrong, and its not being taken care of, dont be afraid to be the squeaky wheel.

~ Dont forget, if you get in trouble, your husband does too. So be careful.

~ If you get stationed in a foreign country, always try to learn at least some of the language. And NEVER wear things or do things that will give you away as an American.

~ MOST IMPORTANT: Deployments can be REALLY hard, and it is a huge strain on marriages. You need to be his rock. Trust me, its harder on him than it is on you. At least you have friends and family to turn to. He is all alone in some God-forsaken country getting shot at and eating bad food. Just try to be patient, and know that he loves you, and wants to come home to you. The first two weeks of a deployment, and the last 2 weeks are the hardest. If you can make it through them, you are OK.

Answer 5

I don't understand why the benefits would be that important.. but IF they ARE.. then ask him.

As far as being married to a man in the service. It's a true commitment. They are away alot and they work strange hours sometimes.

IF you are mature enough to make a lifetime commitment to this man, then do it. It can be a lonely existence sometimes and it also requires you to be able to think for yourself and handle business affairs without him around.
If you intend to have children, you'll be Mom and Dad more than you'd like sometimes.
I am married to a man who retired after 21 years in the Marine Corps. I had to be his literal helpmate and faithful partner.
Best regards to you.

Answer 6

well, speaking from experience, a lot actually. to start, theres broad medical. if they have tricare like we do in AF, it covers pretty much everything. if you like a specific doctor though, you can get consultations outside of the Army from that doctor and as long as hes tricare certified, they are covered. you get free dental, though im not sure if it covers braces. I think their might be a co-pay, i dunno. free housing if you live on base. the BX, well u guys have a PX, is generally cheaper cuz nothing has tax so shopping there is a benefit for active duty and spouses. also, you typically get stationed near larger cities so u get to see a lot of touristy stuff. its better than average anyway

Answer 7

I am ex-military and my first husband is and my second husband is retired. You get medical benefits, dental, family support groups, psyciatric help, and the benefit of being proud of having your husband serve our country.!!! Be prepared not to see him that much. there are lots of demands on you in the military and stress. He cannot control the hours he works or where you guys have to move next!!

Answer 8

you and your kids get a special insurance an it is really good plus the pay for collage andpay better the higher you get up. my friends dad was in the army andthey went on a $21,000 cruise!

Answer 9

I'd ask the Army, and your husband should have some papers on this.

Answer 10

You have a lot of time off on your own.