Help!

[CrystalDaniG]

My Sailor and I got married three days ago and he left today to go to Pensacola for his A school. I guess I'm just looking for answers and help on what he and I need to do now. I am planning on moving with him once he gets to his duty station, but what all do I need to do for that to happen? I just want to make sure him and I get everything filled out or submitted on time and I'm not exactly sure what to do. And what does he need to do since we're newly married?

[Anti M]

That could be a new change this year, I would not be surprised.  Might even make it easier.

[meagan5220]

thanks :) I have only heard it from one source but I am sure it could be something that could take time to be seen across the board!

[sailorwifenmom]

Since you weren't married before he got his orders to Pensacola, the Navy won't move you.  Also, even if you were marrdied before that, they wouldn't be able to move you to his school, unless the school is over 6 months long (not counting holding company time or anything like that). 

But, since you are married, and  I'm assuming he doesn't have his follow on orders to his first duty station yet, unless he somehow gets unaccompanied orders somewhere spouses can't go (not likely, but possible), they WILL move you to his first duty station.  And the good news with that is he should have plenty of time, as they are getting their orders, to talk to the people down at Pensacola and get it all set up with plenty of time for you to move :-)

Congrats on your marriage, welcome to Navy life :-)   OH - something that will make things a LOT easier for you as a spouse, which will then, in a way, make it easier for him, because you will be able to "speak his new language" so to speak, is to take a COMPASS class when you get to your duty station.  It's free, they provide child care if you need it, and the provide lunch, all free.  It covers all sorts of things Navy / Navy family related, everything from what the terms mean to tips on PCSing, coping with deployments, what resources are available to you and how yo access them, etc.  Great program!

[Anti M]

I answered down in the comments.

In the meantime, here's my blog on the subject:

http://www.navyformoms.com/profiles/blogs/what-is-command-sponsorship

If anyone spots info which needs updating, let me know and I will make changes, thanks.

[sailorwifenmom]

First, you CAN elope, as far as your family is concerned. You CANNOT elope as far as the Navy is concerned. (Well, you technically can, but you can cause all sorts of problems for him if you do, especially If he has a clearance.).

If he already has orders to Japan, then he's going to Japan. (btw - where at? Our last duty station before this one was Japan, and we have several friends on various bases there now - lots of opportunities for him there!). Whether you get married or not though won't change his orders. Also, the Navy will not authorize a Sailor who is an E-3 Or below to bring dependents with them to Japan (and you don't even want to think about moving there on your own for a lot of reasons). If he makes E-4 while there, depending on his command, how long he has left there, etc, he can request to have his dependents join him.

If you are married, you can look into taking the Patriot Express to go visit him while he's there, and, especially if he's on shore duty and in the barracks or has an apartment, you can look into magic jack or Vonage, so you can call back and forth without paying international calling rates. We saved a FORTUNE using our Vonage line, an It works just like a regular phone.

[sailorwifenmom]

You can go visit!  It will he especially easy if you are married.  Because you won't be authorized to go with him, he can request paperwork from his command that authorizes you to travel space A from the US.  There are several flights that you can then get on lists and try to take, though getting on the flight is not a sure thing.  Some of them are standard, traditional sorts of military hops, where you are piggy backing on a cargo plane or whatever.  Some of them are Patriot Express flights, and they are basically commercially chartered  regularly scheduled flights back and forth from overseas  to the States (it's cheaper to charter these flights and move people PCSing than it is to constantly pay for tickets...).  Seats that are not being used for official travel are available, space available, for VERY reduced cost (like, about 20 -40 bucks a ticket).  There are several PE flights a week to Japan.  

[sailorwifenmom]

Also,  honestly, even if you don't go space a, he will be getting COLA (cost of living allowance) and, if he's on a ship, he will get sea pay (both of those will be lower amounts, because of his rank, and for the COLA also because he is unaccompanied) and I believe you will get family sep, which is $250 a month after he's been gone for 30 days, so you can save and pay to go over commercially.  

[sailorwifenmom]

Sure!  And if he's going to Yokuska, tell him to go down the road like he's going to the train and eat at Coco Curry :-)  GREAT food!

[sailorwifenmom]

One other thing, not saying you would do this, but the sort of problems he could get into from eloping aren't the sort that would keep him from going, but they will make life very difficult for him.

For you to be able to eventually join him, he will need to be being paid (not just frocked) as an E-4, and have at least 12 months at that duty station. Btw, this applies to all overseas duty for the Navy, and is branch specific. For example, at Misawa, there were Air Force E-3 and below with their families, but the Navy feels it is cost prohibitive (for them and for families) to have junior Sailors take dependents overseas, so they don't allow it.

[sailorwifenmom]

*12 months remaining at the duty station...not just 12 months stationed there...

[beewoman]

What is his rate?

[beewoman]

AD could you explain a little about that please?