How will the moving thing work in the military?

Question

I am new to this hole army thing. My husband is getting ready to go to boot camp from my understanding to VA.
My question is after he graduates boot camp how do you know were me the wife is supposed to move to? If there a possibility he can be moved at any time or even to another country how this hole thing work.
Dose the military help the wife move top were ever the husband is to go?

Answer 1

He will get orders to either an unaccompanied or accompanied job.

If it is accompanied and he doesn't take/get pcs leave to come move you then you must take your Power of Attorney, ID and copies of his orders to the nearest base/post transportation office and make arrangements for the movers to come to the house. (Class 1 move is a "normal" move where they come pack and put it on the truck, Class 2 is the same with some extra wrapping and it gets put into sealed crates - this isn't always available depending on where you are going).

Prior to the actual day they will send someone to walk through the house and estimate how much stuff you have then they will come on the day arranged and will pack things up for you, then put them on the truck that day or the next (or the next!) depending on how much stuff you have! You will receive an inventory of all the boxes, etc - keep it with you! After that you "clear" the place you are living in with your landlord and hit the road! (Vacation along the way if hubby has enough leave time!).

The Army will allocate you "Dislocation Allowance" to help offest the cost of the move. Usually hubby can opt to take 20-50% then and the rest on arrival - you will also get paid travel pay for you and hubby (and any children you have) - so much per day for meals and mileage. Usually you will collect this at your destination.

Once you get housing at your new post - whether off post or on - then hubby will go to transpo and set up delivery dates. Sometimes the command will let him be home for delivery of household goods but not always. You will match up the numbers (stickers on each box/item) with the inventory as they bring them in and tell them which room to put that item in. Also note any damage. You are generally authorized to ask them to put together anything they dissasembled at origin and move any heavy things. They will "unpack" but you really don't want them to as this means open all the boxes and pile the stuff in the middle of the room!

Hope that helps

Answer 2

Hello Wendy79:

Start with your local Army recruiter. If s/he signed up your husband, s/he signed you up as well, and owes you some time. S/He should be able to link you up with family services. the recruiter may be able to answer your questions about housing.

Sadly, military housing for enlisted spouses is rather bleak; you might consider living with a relative until he is out of basic. If his first assignment is Irakistan, you obviously won't be going. Other overseas assignments may be considered "unaccompanied;" the spouse stays stateside, or at the last accompanied post.

If your husband is posted to an accompanied location, the soldier gets an allowance to move. It may cover the cost of a U-haul, but in some rare instances it could mean United Van Lines moves your stuff. If your husband is enlisted, it most likely will be the U-Haul.

Always remember that the needs of the Army are the priority; not the needs of the soldier or his family. He can be guaranteed an assignment to Hawaii, and the day before he ships out; with all his stuff packed, and airline tickets in hand, the orders can change, and he gets sent to anywhere. You will need a good humor, and lots of familial support.

Answer 3

you will not be allowed to join him until he reports to his duty station, and not during training after boot/Basic.. Then it even depends on whether or not he gets Accompanied orders. there are places that he could get sent where family members are NOT allowed to come, such as Korea or Diego Garcia.

If given Accompanied Orders, the military will pay to move the family tot he duty station location. You can choose one of two methods..DITY or Contract. DITY means you do all the work yourself: packing, loading, weighing the truck empty and full, driving and unloading. You also must submit all receipts to be reimbursed. They will reimburse you up to 80% of what it would have cost them to hire a Contractor.

Contract: you set up an appointment to have the movers come and they do all the work for you. You do not get to choose who does it, the military does.

The militray does NOT ship cars CONUS and they do NOT buy plane tickets for family members CONUS.

Answer 4

Wendy,

Whichever duty he is assigned when he graduates Basic Training would be classified "accompanied" or "unaccompanied"...that designation would be in direct regard to you. So, one must actually see how the order is designated.

Say he actually gets a set of "accompanied" orders. The U.S. Army would get you and your things to (as close to) where he would be stationed. You would get some money to get there as well (travel plus perdiem). In most cases, you would have to set up having a place to live (apartment, etc.), preferably before your stuff gets to wherever it may be going. Base housing may not be available.

Answer 5

the military will know that he is married b/c when he filled out the paperwork they ask, and he has to tell....so b/c they know that he is married they will give him orders to be stationed whereever they want, and you will move with him together....they give him a certain amount of time off (called leave) to find a place to live and get settled in....depending where he gets stationed will determine the length of time of his leave, normally it is 30 days...i may be wrong...they give you a heads up before they give you orders to move to a different base....and they give you time to move and do all that stuff all over again....as far as where you guys will move? the army gives the soldier 3 choices and most of the time the army gives the soldier the first pick, depends though....sometimes they dont and they will put you whereever they want your husband to be stationed....you will get used to it with time...just be patient with your husband...and just so you know, every base is different and has different rules...some are really strict and some are really layed back....good luck

edit: if your husband gets orders to go to korea or germany or somewhere outside of the US (other than combat zones) you will still be able to go with your husband and yes the military will move your stuff there as well..........

Answer 6

see where he gets sent.........odds are overseas.............wait till he is settled in as far as destination goes...........sometimes they pay your rent where you are.....Call the base and they probably have someone who can answer your questions