Fiancé is off to bootcamp and I'm pregnant

[X3torree]

My fiancé leaves for bootcamp on April 21st. I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with our first and I need some advice/answers...

His recruiters have told him that since he's going to be E2 and qualifies for BAH, he'll be making about $3,000 every 2 weeks in bootcamp. (He's going for AC) I have been told by my fiancé and supposedly his recruiters too, that it is up to me to buy a car and find an apartment in Pensacola while he's in bootcamp. Also, that I "need" to travel by myself all the way to Great Lakes for his graduation so we can get married, then all the way down to Pensacola. (I live in Virginia)

I'll be about 8 months pregnant when he graduates. I love him and believe me, I WANT to marry him but I still feel like this is far fetched. His A school is 6 months long. My sister is in the Navy too and she told me that he can be denied to live off base with me even though we have a baby. I also don't believe he's making $3,000 every 2 weeks. Does he even get the BAH in bootcamp? I'm just incredibly stressed and I don't know if I should go through with buying everything and then not being able to move with him.

I know that he's the father but I'm trying to look out for him and the health of our daughter. I have gestational diabetes which I don't know the rules for traveling with it.. I'm really nervous because I don't want to let him down.

[ts0607]

I dont think the dollar amount on that is correct for an e2. It would be different if you two were married already I believe. I do think you guys can live together while he is in school though. Congrats:) and good luck

[ts0607]

U shouldn't have to travel by yourself to graduation either. He's allowed up to four guests

[abuon18]

I haven't been in your situation but I'm pretty sure the recruiter is giving you false info.

Regarding pay, my husband as an e-5 with over 3 years in & BAH makes just over $3k a MONTH, certainly not every 2 weeks. So an e-2 will not. Also he won't get paid as an e-2 until he is out of boot camp, according to my husband. (He went in as an e-3 and received that rank officially after boot camp, after they are officially a Sailor).

Since your child will not be born before he leaves to boot camp or even during he won't receive BAH either. Once your child is born is when he can add him/her to DEERS to receive BAH. Also, this I'm not 100% sure on because I don't have kids yet, but if he has a child out of wedlock inbekeiev they require proof it i s his child before the child can be added as a dependent.

Regarding marriage the weekend of boot camp graduation, usually that doesn't happen especially if the A school is not in Great Lakes. They fly out the following day or Sunday. You both must be present to get your marriage license & there is a 24 hour waiting period before you can use it. Also it needs to be approved by his A school command not RTC. I know there have been exceptions so you'd have to get those stories specifically.

[Brittany]

I'm pretty sure you only get bah if you are married or have dependents already. As for the pay that's far fetched, my wife went in as an e3, she gets e3 pay and bah but it's no where near $3,000. It is true that he may not get to live with you. Either way they go through phases and it wouldn't be for at least 3 weeks before he could. You really wouldn't want to travel that far if you will be that far along and had GD though. Don't stress so much! You got this! :)

[WifeofaUSsailor]

Hey there! Congrats on your baby on the way! My husband is an E-2 and is at Pensacola for A school. He makes $3000 a MONTH but definitely not every two weeks. That would be amazing haha! But they should allow him to live off base with you though especially with his school being 6 months. My husband's school is also six months and he lives with me currently off base. You won't be able to live on base but part of that 3000 can be used to cover rent. They will also give you extra each month for having a child, how much I'm not sure. He can also at some point get a chit approved once he starts classes and moves in with you to get BAS which will give him an extra 300 a month for food. This means he won't get to eat at the galley on base for free anymore but it will give you some extra money for groceries. They also will not pay for your move because he's going to A school and technically not a permanent duty station. As far as marriage though, even if you decide not to move with him right now it would financially help you guys to get married as soon as possible because they will still give him BAH each month even if you're not in Pensacola. But they won't give you that or health insurance unless y'all are married. Just some info I've picked up from being through the same experience. :) good luck to you and your sailor!!

[Sunshinesmom]

Hi!  Just to throw this in before there is any misunderstanding regarding the "extra pay for having a child"...there is no such thing.  The only extra pay your sailor will receive is called "BAH with dependents".  That's it.  And that amount doesn't increase or decrease with the number of children you have.  The BAS info is correct.  If you can have a paternity test done showing proof that the baby is his BEFORE you get married, the baby can be put into the DEERS system as his dependent and the baby will have health coverage.  You wouldn't, though, until you were officially married.

[Anti M]

Navy base pay scales are online, you can easily look and see. Pay is taxed. Base pay is 1733.28 for an E-2.

He will not get BAH and live off base until he is married. Period.  If he is going to P-cola for school, he will leave Great Lakes on Saturday morning, no time to marry.  He may get partial bah diff once the child is born,  but getting married is essential.  Also only married sailors can live ashore during some schools. 

I am on a mobile and cannot provide links. Google this stuff, have your sister help. I have a burning desire to kick that recruiter's ass.

[CourtNavyWife]

Hey yes the whole pay thing is definitely not right. My husband is an E5 three years in and pay wise makes about that a month they raised the BAH amount recently but still as an E2 that number is way off. I dont know how housing works when you arent married. I was pregnant while my husband was in bootcamp and A school we got married over christmas break so by the time orders were being handed out i was on his paper work to be included. Honestly id say wait on buying anything. The navy changes on the flip of the dime. Id wait till he gets out and has a definite plan before moving. My husband was in A school 6 months also i stayed back saved bah and when he got his duty station we moved all together. Hell redcieve money for your child but there isnt extra money per kid or etc. I know my husbands friends live off base once they got to their duty stations with no issues its just finding an affordable place. I know its stressful pregnant and trying to go off what they tell you but honestly its hurry up and wait. and waiting right now is the best option so you dont waste any time or money trying to move there . 

[Kari]

Congrats on your baby!  My husband is currently in A School E-3 in Pensacola also AC.  We also have a 2 year old and his pay is a little over $3000  a MONTH!  But before he even enlisted he placed myself and our daughter in DEERS.  That is the reason his pay a little higher.  They will only get BAH in Bootcamp if they have dependants.    We have been married for 2 years now.  A School will not be his permanent duty station so they will not move you out there, it will be up to you to locate housing.  Travel to Great Lakes for Graduation is also up to you and any travel to A School in Pensacola is also on your dime.  There are two great hotels in the area including the Navy Lodge with really great nightly rates.  Just make sure as soon as you both get married, he adds you to the DEERS system and your baby after birth.  I really do wish you the best.  Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding bootcamp or A School.