Girlfriends, Fiances,and Wives of Sailors

Thank you, Mrs. Jane your response has defiantly given me something to think about. I called my dad today and he said he would co-sign but really I want what is best for my husband and want him to do well in school. He says he will do better with me there but I'm worried about him getting extra duty and all sorts of other things that the Chief threatened and then being even more stressed. If it was only truly 4 months I would say no I won't move and just visit but he is dead set that his C school will also be there and that is when 4 months turns into 10 to 12 months and that's a HUGE difference...

It's pretty expensive to do an extended stay. It would be about $1,800 a month for the one I found and that's more than I would get for our BHA.

Just called extended stay America and it's only $1,155 so this isn't so bad. Just wondering though did you use a family members address or did you have to put your new hotel address. I don't want to get my husband in trouble for anything. Did you just leave your old information. They are still doing a background check and I don't know what the rules are as far as changing our address with DEERS if I don't technically live in the hotel as my residence and am only staying for a few months?

I looked at Navy lodge online and they don't even have availability for the June so I'm not sure how well that would work. The Gateway has a ton of weird rules and they only let you stay 2 weeks at a time unless you are in the military and have orders.

The extended stay in near the mall in Pensacola, anyone know if that area is okay or not safety wise?

DEERS doesn't change no matter where you live, and Tricare is very fluid.  Only BAH is based on your zip code/then his when he gets orders.  Just be sure you don't pocket more BAH for your home area if you aren't there.  

His chief can't give him extra duty just because you are in the area.  They can deny him permission to live offbase, but once he's in phase three, he can spend weekends off base anyway (Fri, Sat, unless he has duty).   Just as long as he keeps his grades up, he's fine.  Sounds like his chief has had trouble with other guys, or is just being crusty.  

You can call the P-cola police department and ask them about the safety of any hotel or apartment you're looking at.  They usually are pretty helpful and truthful.

I just visited my husband in Pensacola.I was travelling in from NY and Greyhound was going to take 30 hours as well.I have traveled by Greyhound many time in the beginning of our relationship from Michigan to NY and vice versa and NY to Virginia.Buses are more reliable than trains in bad weather.However I can also say that if there is bad weather and there are many people waiting for a connection for a bus you maybe chosen to wait until another bus comes unless you pay for priority.Bus rides are nice and you get to see the landscape and it stops at food places and for bathroom breaks.Some buses will play a movie.
If you have the patience yes if you dont it is a bit taxing.Also at some of the bus terminals during your layover the bathrooms can be horrendous and you may have a long wait.If you have the money to fly ..then fly it depends on your budget.I went by plane this time around.
My husband is stationed at Corry and he just got phrase 3 so he was able to sleep over with me and I took him into to class and pick him up after class everyday I was there and we had the whole weekend together.
All the best!

For my experience in Pensacola.I stayed at two places Navy Gateway and Navy Lodge.I would also advice if you see that Navy Lodge is out of rooms online to call them because when I called even though it said there were no rooms available online over the telephone there was a room available.Or ask about a day later.
Navy Lodge- is 16 mins away drive from Corry Station.It is situated basically almost right on the beach.they have hammocks,convenience store,breakfast-muffins,orange juice, yogurt.A little outdoor play area for kids.You can walk to beach,Naval Air Museum,Pensacola Lighthouse.Good walking trails for  dogs ,running etc.Good television stations with dvd player,microwave and mini fridge.I would recommend here if you will be on your own if your sailor can not come off base during the week.It will feel like a beach vacation.Beautiful white sand.You can also see fort pickens from here.

Navy Gateway- if you want to spend time just resting..sleeping this place has the BEST softest beds ever.I am still going to hound them where they get there comforter,mattress everything from.Good tv but harder to find food here.You will actually need a car or transport here to take you over to get food.They have drinks machines.However it is only 10 minute drive from here to Corry. And for the same price as the navy Lodge you can get  the suite -a full kitchenette here and living room area,washer/dryer machine in room.Here tends to feel more alone because the compound here is much bigger than the Navy Lodge.
Front desk staff here seems more organized and professional( in the sense of being less casual than at the Navy Lodge)

Both places are located inside the NAS base so you will have to go in the gate and get id checked before being let in.If you leave there to go get your sailor at Corry you will  leave one base drive regular roads with lots of fast food places,walmart along the way and drive onto Corry base where you wll get id checked again.

Right outside Corry station is a Quality Inn (which is right outside the gate at corry ) then cross the street there is the Aston Inn.So I know those two places are closer to Corry and you can probably do without a car or taxi if you stay here and can walk around for food.

A taxi from the airport to Navy Lodge/Navy gateway runs $25.Taxi from Corry to NAS base is $10.

Sightseeing: We went to Fort Pickens.it was really worth the drive if you have the time and a car.Beautiful car ride down a  road with white sand on either side of the road including the sea on both sides of the road.
Also down the Gulf beach we walked around ate at restaurants Hemmingways,Crabs and Peg leg Petes.I personally enjoyed Crabs.Down the gulf beach there is a huge high tech ferris wheel called the 360 and you have a great view of the beach and skyline (hey offer military discount)

Downtown Pensacola we ate at McGuire's Irish Pub.Good food and drinks.

Was also told about nightlife..club called Sevilles but we never got a chance to go there.

Angie or Anti M, is there any place I can get a crash course on everything from Deers to BAH, etc? My Sailor and I are planning to get married at the courthouse in Pensacola in July. And I plan to bring my ID, SS card, Birth Certificate, etc, but I wanted to kind of know what each of the programs is for etc.

I know there's an online program you can do once you're married. I can't remember what it's called, but I'm sure someone will step in and provide a link.

There's also a program called COMPASS that they offer on base.

But my favorite is a book called "Married to the Military" by Meredith Leyva. It's very dry material, but it's super informational and has things like LES examples and tons of information on healthcare. 

Good luck!

Thank you Emily! :)

Try these sites for the basics:

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/payandbenefits/Documen...

http://www.military.com/NewContent/1,13190,Spouse,00.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6505388_navy-benefits-dependents.html

Hey HoosierGirl, I was given this link by someone on here, it is pretty helpful. It is a "New Spouse Orientation Course". You just login in as a guest. http://learning.zeiders.refineddata.com/login/index.php

Hope that helps!

Hoosiergirl- be sure to check your marriage cert. before leaving the court house. We just got married on Friday and the person that married us forgot to sign. I wasnt able to get my military ID or enrolled in DEERS and what not because by the time we left NAS, went back to the court house, and back to NAS the office was closed. You will only need your ID at the court house and its a good idea to go ahead and read the family law handbook online before getting there.

Anyone have any info on not having to register a vehicle because of being nonresident military or a family member of one? 

So far I found out that I would still have to register my car regardless of my husband being active duty there. I don't know if this info is correct. I looked on the dod.mil website for our installation and found this:

There are seven Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) locations in the San Diego area. The DMV maintains that lawful family members are entitled to the same nonresident status as their active duty sponsors.

So can anyone shed some light on this for, San Diego will be my husband's first duty station. 

My husbands graduates boot 5/24 very excited and in my letters I got today He told me his 1st duty station is San Diego! 

Awesome Abuon18 !! Thank you

Do you also have an FL driver's license? Or did you get a California license?

It says something about if residency is established. We are waiting on housing so we would need to lease an apartment obviously because we can't be homeless or pay expensive hotel rates. Because of that does that mean we would have to forced to become residents and switch all of our info?

My husband kept his WV residency and our vehicle was registered in WV while we were in San Diego.  We rented offbase.  I switched residency to CA to go to college after one year, but I wasn't earning an income, so it wasn't a big deal. WV did not tax his military income, but CA would have taken a big bite.   It has more to do with where you pay taxes and where you vote than where you rent.

Thank you! I am glad I found you, it is nice to have someone that relates to my situation to the T. Does your husband still drive with his FL license without any issues?

Thank you! Anti M

Also Abuon18 did you have to get a smog certification or anything like that?

Thanks again!

Hey ladies So My husband is in bootcamp right now. And i really miss talking to him our son is having such a hard time he watches videos od "daddy" he calls for him everywhere we go Its getting easier and I know he just needs to get into the swing of everything. How long did it take your little ones to  get it. My son is almost 2 and we will be moving out there for AIT school. I just hope that he gets it before then even if he dosn't I would LOVE to have some other wives in my boat. ADD me Im sure we could all use each others support =)

P.I.R question. So i have been married to my husband for over two years and we been together for over 4 years.

He hasn't lived at him for over 4 years. hes really close to my family and not so much his... Now that P.I.R is comming up right befor he left he told them who he was inviting my mother his mother and me because he was thinking he get only 3 tickets. but now that hes getting 4 his dad want to come.

BUT!!

Im starting to not want them to be there.... they can be there but not come up to him until after some alone time. so at the hotel he can see them. I just dont want my hug to limited or tears to be limited because they are there. I dont even want my own mother there. I just want my husband there our son will him at the hotel. did this happen to any of you if so what did you do.

Recruits do not have access to phones or the internet,  and they don't even have access to their finances, so no, there is no way for them to book your travel for you.  It is a sweet thought, but unrealistic.  

Also, time for a reminder to our new members... this site is not closed or secure.  Do NOT give out your email address as a post, anyone in the world can see it.  You are now part of the Navy family, and as such, you are targets for a lot of bad crap, from spam and fraud right up to terror, and just plain mean people who hate the military.  If you are going to share personal info, please friend each other and send it in private messages.  I encourage you to delete your email addresses from the comments for your personal safety.

It is called PERSEC in the military, personal security, and it does apply to loved ones.  

Here's one quick overview:

http://www.militaryspot.com/resources/opsec-and-persec/

Okay dokey.  

Questions for anyone who has been through a PIR before: How early should I get there, my hotel is 7mins away, also does anyone know about bringing poster/signs into PIR with us? My 5yr really wants to make a poster saying Congrats Daddy and color it and I don't want to have her go through all that work just not to be able to bring it in? Will there be signs up on base letting you know where the ceremony is held? Any and all info is greatly appreciated! My husband graduates 5/24!

Sounds good thanks for the information! 

NicholeH10- If you want a good seat get there early. We got there around 7 and the seats were already filling up. I decorated my hotel room with a banner, sign, streamers, balloons ect. It was so much fun and my husband really enjoyed it.