Questions regarding benefits ( confused wife)

[joel's_rackie]

Hi everyone! My husband is still in BC. Pardon me if i had a lot of questions since I am so new to this. (ship12/div224 PIR 07/08/2011)

1. I just  received an application form DEER and TDP, how soon does this apply from the time you submitted the forms?

2. How and where can I avail a military ID? (I'm form San Francisco)

3. Do they get paid while in training or after they graduate BC? Do this go directly to their bank account?

4. BAH how soon does this apply? I was told you don't get BAH or pay check only until SR graduates from BC.

Please help, I'm really confused..

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

Everyone gets E-1 pay during bootcamp. After bootcamp, they get back pay for the difference between E-1 and E-3 pay. I'm not sure about A-School, though.

I got info about obtaining my military ID about three weeks into bootcamp. I got Tricare info separately, around the same time (maybe a week later?). The info on getting dental insurance is included with the paperwork they send you about getting your mil id. :)

[mrenick]

Well, he's in his third week now. If they are giving him E-1 pay only during bootcamp, then I'm in for a world of hurt financially since that is not what we were promised. :(

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

I also got our BAH, too...if that helps any. If you didn't get a paycheck into your guys' account on the first, I would assume you will get it on the 15th. I'm sorry. :( I wish there was something I could do.

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing. It is calculated by your zip code...as long as you are married you should be receiving it. :) You will also be getting separation pay while he is in boot camp, but I'm not quite sure how that is calculated...google can help with that if you're curious

This should help you: 2011 BAH Rates

Don't worry, there are SO MANY acronyms! I'm new to this as well. We're in it together! :) Your baby is beautiful, by the way!

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

Oh boy, you have your hands full!! Hopefully things will calm down soon. You are so strong...I'm impressed. :)

This military stuff is very overwhelming...but we're all in it together. I'm happy you got a direct deposit...I was happy when ours went through! Always a good feeling. I think with E-1 and separation pay their "normal" checks are around $1400...don't quote me on that, but it's a ballpark. You should be able to deduce if you got BAH based on that.

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

Eh...they're one in the same, aren't they? ;)

[joel's_rackie]

1 Chronicles 29:11-13(KJV)
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name."

Good evening everyone.. We always have to count our blessings: here's mine for this WONDERFUL day:

1. Daddy Roel my father-in-law was granted a tourist visa today!

2. Last night after working at the hospital(7pm-3am shift) I drove to Naval Air Station-Lemoore (for 4 hours), I arrived safely there and back. Was very nervous especially on the way there since it's a really dark and winding road (Pacheco Pass and I-5). I prayed and sing praises the whole way, glad to have K-LOVE radio.

3. I was able to get my military ID..finally..

4. I went to NFCU to "fix" the account and now I have access to it! I prayed so hard that I'd be able to talk to someone who would help me. Brenda (bank clerk) was really helpful and very patient to answer all my question and needs. She made everything so effortless!

5. Meeting all of you helpful ladies here in N4M who help me navigate to this new lifestyle. (Amanda, thanks for the form!)

6. My GPS broke down and I was glad that my co-worker Dolores printed out directions just in case.. I got there and back safe.

7. All the helpful people in the NAS. Who was patient to me who is so bad with directions. I met an officer who handed me a detailed map of the area and even highlighted the DSP, NFCU, starbucks, gas station and how to get to I-5.

8. The icing in the cake, seeing my husband in the picture! (Angel whose husband is in the same ship12/div 224 won the Tuesday trivia on the facebook page of RTC.

9. For all of you here, thank you so much for the support and prayers.

Remember, with Jesus Christ everything is possible! God's mercy and blessings to to all of us, and our families!

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

It took about 2 weeks for me to receive info about Tricare and TDP (dental). You can always call Tricare (find out the Tricare number for your region) if you have any questions. They have been very helpful. I read or heard somewhere that you have coverage from the day your husband arrives at MEPS for processing to go to Great Lakes, and that even if you don't have proof of Tricare coverage when you get an RX or go see a doctor, you can file a claim once you get your Tricare info....but that is something I can't confirm, just something I put in the back of my mind. Don't forgo medical coverage because you don't have insurance...if you need something, get it taken care of. Don't feel bad for having all these questions! It's part of being a military wife, especially a new one. My husband just graduated from RTC 6/10 so I'm still navigating through the waters as well!

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

It really does go by fast!! STAY BUSY! Seriously, that is the best advice I was given! I wrote him a letter every day (initially I wrote it every night like we were talking in bed going over our days) and it was therapeutic for me and he LOVED all the letters. PIR will be here before you know it! :)

[gnomesweetgnome Ship 11/Div199]

Stay calm...or try to! Some days will be better than others, but you will get through this as a family! Stay strong for him and for yourself and your kids. You are stronger than you know. I promise you. :) I hope you are planning on going to his graduation. It really was one of the most experiences of our lives! If you have any other questions, I'm here for you! I don't have the answer to everything (or most things, ha!) but we can navigate through these waters together.