Advice for soon to be Military wife?

My 18yr daughter is soon to marry her high school sweetheart who will be joining the marines. He has been told that he will get x amount of money per week, they will be given a house, etc etc. Very rosy picture but as her mother I need to know what will really happen.


will they get housed? what will they need to buy? Every bit of info will be great full. How hard will it really be for her?Advice for soon to be Military wife?
Oh don't worry at all. I married an air force guy. When I was 21. He was 19, we got base housing for free, and all we had to pay was our phone bill and cable bill, the military pays for the lights and gas and garbage and water.





He will get a certain amount of money each month for having her as his wife. The amount he gets depends on his rank in the marines and also if it's just him and her, or if they have any kids. The only thing they would really need, is their furniture clothes, dishes, tv things like that. But they will be taken good care of by the marines. You don't need to worry.Advice for soon to be Military wife?
Im a military wife. While he is in bootcamp, he will be getting money. Now it is his option to send that money home to his wife or keep it there with him in an account. Once he is done bootcamp, he will be stationed somewhere where he goes to pick out a home for them to live in. Once that happens, he is sent home for one or two weeks, his choice of how much time, to get his wife and get his affairs in order. Then he takes her back and they start their life together. It鈥檚 a wonderful experience but I do suggest that your daughter insist that he sends something home to her financially while he is in bootcamp because he will be making a lot and its only right that she is supported some how while he is away.. Good luck to you and her.
Im in the military and my husband is too, and they do give you a decent amount of money for housing, and you get money just for being married, and if you have kids they give you more for that. So all in all, your daughter will be fine. She will be taken care of very well.
Nah, the picture is not that rosy. Yes, they will receive Basic Allowance for Housing, Basic Allowance for Substance (Food), and the Base Pay, of course. BAH (money for housing) depends on the rank and the area they live in. Sometimes it is cheaper to live on the military installation but considering the condition the houses are in it may be more beneficial to look off post. Also, housing on post is not guaranteed due to availability of appropriate housing (rank and number of bedrooms). Besides, housing is or will be privatized which means that over time military personnel will be responsible for utilities as well. Some military installations have it implemented, others not (yet). They will have to furnish their house including washer and dryer - just like any other regular rental houses.





Pay day is twice a month or once at the end of the month, depending on personal preference. There is no extra money per se for being married. Up to a certain rank single soldiers live in the barracks (mandatory unless they opt to pay for rentals out-of-pocket). That means they do not receive the BAS (for food since they have a meal card where they get their meals for free at the chow hall or dining facility) and they do not receive BAH (for housing) since they are given lodging for free in the barracks. Lower ranking enlisted soldiers may be required to share a room with another soldier. The ';extra'; money will be spent right away because by receiving BAS (for food) the soldier will have to return the meal card and now has to pay for each meal. Even home-packed lunch boxes cost money. The money for housing will go towards the rent and utilities. At the end, there is no real financial gain by being married. At least none that would make it worth it to get married.
Alright, I was in the same situation as your daughter, i was 18, my high school sweet heart proposed to me and told me he was joining the Air Force, I said yes, we got married soon after I graduated, and then he was gone. The separations are the hardest. They're killer. But he does get a steady pay check, will get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. Split between those 2 paychecks is something called BAH (basic allowence for housing). If he lives on base, that money automatically gets taken out for housing (it's always cheaper to live on base) - but if they decide to rent a place off base, then he will have to use that money to pay for the lease and utilities and such. (BAH is different in every city, b/c of the cost of living being different). If he's stationed over seas (Alaska and Hawaii count as overseas) then they will have the opportunity to have 'loner' furniture - it's junky, but they let you use it the whole time you're there. But if they're stationed state side (most likely for a new marine) they will need to furnish their house on their own (the stores on base are really reasonably priced). If they live on base then all major appliances are provided (washer / dryer / dishwasher / fridge / stove) Base housing is a good community, and you get a strong bond of friends. The base will also help you daughter find a job every time they move. They will help her get her resume built, and really do wonders. It's a good life, but it's a hard one.
It will be really hard. I have been a Military wife for almost 4 years. It's a hard life but we are VERY happy. I just hope your daughter doesn't have high expectations. She will be VERY lonely, and have to be very independent and understanding.





There is a book you can get her she might like:


Solo Ops: a survival guide for military wives. By Hilliary Martin


Married to the Military by Meredith Leyva leyva





These books can help but its so different when you are a military wife. Its a good idea for her to find a job or go to school where ever she stationed.