Questions!

[bekahjayne]

Hi, my husband arrived at boot camp last week. I'm fairly lost about everything and although this website has helped tremendously, I have a couple of questions I hope to get answered! My main question is this: My husband and I decided to put his checks into a Navy Federal account instead of the account we have at home. However, I'm not sure how or if I'm going to be able to access it! I understand that he has to be there 30 days and he'll only get paid on the 1st and 15th. But am I going to get a Navy Federal bank card in the meantime? Do I have to wait until he graduates to get that set up?  Also, Is it true we'll receive BAH and separation pay since we're married? Or is that after boot camp when he gets stationed? 

I didn't send my husband with a phone card because I mistakenly thought they'd keep his phone and he'd get to call off of it if he got that opportunity. Will he be able to buy one from the shop with a debit card or out of his check? or do I have to send him one to have a chance of hearing from him?

side note- I got his box of clothes today! I cried at first then started laughing at the thought of my husband sending me a box of dirty clothes. Thank you in advance, I appreciate this page more than I could express <3

[Anti M]

Here is the link from the boot camp moms group, which talks about pay:

http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/when-will-the-r...

He will get BAH as soon as the paperwork all goes through, there will be a lump sum from day one, after that is goes  half on the 1st, half on the 15th. That can take a couple pay cycles to begin, three to four weeks.  The FSA kicks in after 30 days.  

He might not have been able to open a joint account with you  on it.  There's a chance he can't do that until he graduates.  

They are issued an NEX card for their necessities, and he can buy a phone card with that.  You can also mail one to him, just be sure it is not a cell phone minutes card, and that you activate it so he doesn't have to while using his call time.

[0s9ho13i27w90]

He may be able to give you the account information (i.e. login info) when he gets his first call, you can always ask him in a letter as well if you need access to the money. My husband's first check came through on March 1st and he arrived there on January 23 so be prepared to go a month without anything. The BAH and/or FSA seems to have come through on that check as it was much bigger than anticipated - too much to just be his E-3 pay but he did have it confirmed that we get both. If he does not have account info to give you then you can certainly go to the Navy Federal after graduation to add you onto the account. 

As Anti M. said, they have what is essentially a debit card (the purchases come out of their checks) but my husband did discover that it has a limit! He had to buy all new stuff when he switched divisions and "maxed out" his card - luckily he kept his wallet there in his bunk so he is able to use his debit/credit cards instead. I however did not have money in that account so it was declined lol fortunately the other recruits are so generous and loaned my husband their card to buy a phone card so he could call me. It did take about 15 minutes out of our talk time - sad - but my point is, he will be able to get a phone card and activate it no problem!

Getting the box was huge for me too, I was so excited as if it was a present or something lol but it was nice to feel like there was some progress, some part of him was returning! The form letter is next and you will be through the roof excited to have his address!!! It makes you feel so much better to send letters but keep in mind that he wont get them until around week 4 and you wont get one from him until then either. You may even receive a call before a letter!