My fiancé is a firefighter with 5 years of experience and some college education. He is thinking of joining the Army. We are currently expecting and due on Valentine's day 2015. I understand his need and want to provide for the family. He currently makes about 26,000 a year. I'm working on my Bachelor's in Psych but I won't be done until 2016. So I won't be able to contribute much to our income until graduation when I can start teaching. What kind of ranking would he get if he joined? What would be expected? (We are getting our marriage license soon but the ceremony will come later in summer, by the way, during our family reunion). Created by Asia. politics-government-en - military-en

Fiancé wants to join the military for the sake of providing for our family...?

May 2021 7 105 Report

Fiancé wants to join the military for the sake of providing for our family...?

My fiancé is a firefighter with 5 years of experience and some college education. He is thinking of joining the Army. We are currently expecting and due on Valentine's day 2015. I understand his need and want to provide for the family. He currently makes about 26,000 a year. I'm working on my Bachelor's in Psych but I won't be done until 2016. So I won't be able to contribute much to our income until graduation when I can start teaching. What kind of ranking would he get if he joined? What would be expected? (We are getting our marriage license soon but the ceremony will come later in summer, by the way, during our family reunion)

Politics & Government / Military

the BIG picture? let's look at that 'mouse'.

1 - E3 and below are not paid squat. I joined as an E3, and was promoted to E4 before i earned my commission and i can tell you - it's not a lot. and i am single and had ZERO debt. i could not imagine providing for a wife and a newborn on that salary if i had any kind of debt at all.

2 - with a newborn child, it is going to be hard enough for her to go to school, let alone nurse or otherwise care for an infant. i think she is looking at taking a semester off, or part-time at best

3 - although she wants to work as well, in the psychology field, a BA or BS is NOT going to be enough. an Bachelors MIGHT (and that is a BIG might) be enough to get you into a high school to teach, but how many high schools have general psychology classes? if she wants to be in the field, it is going to take a minimum of a master's to teach at a community college or 'counsel patients', and a minimum of a PhD at the university level. a psychology degree (at least a Bachelor's) is not all that marketable.

4 - without being married my dear, YOU do not exist to the military, nor WILL you. the baby would be covered under tricare once your boyfriend is in and your child is born, but outside of marriage - you'll get nothing, can't live in base housing, can;t go with im on assignments unless it is at your own expense. REAL men get WIVES pregnant.

5 - once married, when he starts the enlsitment process, you would apply for accompanied orders and command sponsorship. without that, your lives wil lget fairly complex.

6 - 'mouse' - you may be retired Navy, but things have changed and your answer is somewhat misleading or doesn't paint the entire fence. "You will have NO expenses except food and other essentials" you KNOW that's not true. define "essentials"? in general, if they were to live ON BASE, the only expense would be car, insurance, phone, cable. living off base they get BAH, but many younger couples get the most expensive place they can rent with BAH and forget about budgeting for utilities. If he is assigned overseas, there are a LOT of extra costs to b concerned with.

5 - "All major Navy bases have 4 year colleges on them or within a few miles". For the most part, that is true. i finished my BSN while overseas at Kandahar, and received my commission while there. But you also know (or should), that your college credit earned does not always transfer credit for credit between universities. they all want their money. now if she has an associates, by a lateral agreement, colleges will allow someone to enter as a junior and recognize the vast majority (if not all) 'general education requirements'. but if the on-base school (or one in the local area) does not offer her program, or a specific class for her program that she has already taken, she won't get credit for it at that university, which means longer to graduate, more college expenses. this is absolutely true at the graduate level! i am in medical school now and it would be nearly impossible to transfer to another medical school.

6 - "As far as your husband's career, firefighting is an occupation in the Navy. He will be top in his class if chooses a related field. He will advance quickly." i agree. but she said he was considering the ARMY, not Navy. but i think the same rules would apply.

7 - "I grew up on an Army base." - good for you mouse!

8 - "My father retired from the Army." - no one cares

9 - "My aHole brother was in the Army." why do i think he says the same thing about you?

10 - "I joined the Navy. " - i could have guessed

Pepper

I don't know much but in my experience the outcome desired takes time and sacrifice. And still the outcome may be different than you desired or thought. My ex joined the ARMY for his children. He did his 10 years and is now a disabled vet of foreign war. He fought in the Gulf.

But whatever you and your husband choose to do go in with a clear understanding of the risks and sacrifices. This will make the two of you stronger the days that things do not go your way or as expected.

Mrsjvb

define 'some college' 24 100 level credits he can enlist at the PAYGRADE( rank is for officers) of E2. with 48, he can get E3.

neither of which can support a family without the other spouse working. especially with an infant which are damned expensive. furthermore you say you must stay put until 2016 to finish school. MORE financial issues arise he WILL NOT be allowed to stay in barracks as a married service member no matter why you are not with him( unless THEY give him unaccompanied orders) which means two households on one BAH.. which will be based on where HE is.

Anonymous

If he in intent on joining, get him to join the Navy. You can transfer to a college where he is stationed after he finishes school and boot camp and live in base housing. You will get free medical and dental, plus, Navy wives will babysit for you while you are at school.

Good luck..

Update: These idiots are not looking at the big picture. You will have NO expenses except food and other essentials. All major Navy bases have 4 year colleges on them or within a few miles. As far as your husband's career, firefighting is an occupation in the Navy. He will be top in his class if chooses a related field. He will advance quickly. I grew up on an Army base. My father retired from the Army. My aHole brother was in the Army. I joined the Navy.

Why would your fiance give up being a firefighter? they make pretty good money and have great benefits. I hope he understands that he will be taking a pay cut for at least the first 4 yrs.