Receiving Orders?

[NavyWifeLife]

My husband is currently in bootcamp, he left around 2 weeks ago. I am trying to figure out if I will be moved down with him, living on base, or if I have to find an apt off base. I called the Pensacola housing center and they told me not to do anything until I receive my husbands orders. When do I get his orders? Do they get mailed to me? When will I find this out? Any information is appreciated!

[WifeofaUSsailor]

No you won't receive a copy of his orders until his graduation but they won't mail them to you he will just have them with him. You won't be allowed to live on base since he's in school but you can definitely get an apartment off base. We lived in Angel Cove Apartments when we first moved here and they allowed me to move in before I had my husband's LES (leave and earnings statement) which is all apartments really care about they don't need his orders. You only need orders for base housing, which as I said before you aren't eligible for yet. How long is his schooling, is it at least six months (24 weeks)? If not they won't pay for your move down there.

[NavyWifeLife]

His A school is exactly 24 weeks. So when do I know when they will move me down? I have to have my apt in Pensacola paid for and ready & also make sure I end lease and utilities here! So stressful. Could you tell me what happened for you?

[garden gal]

Be cautious about planning to move before he arrives in Pensacola.  Things sometimes happen at bootcamp. He can be set back for medical or other reasons. And although not necessarily the norm, sometimes they are held at GL until there is an opening at Pensacola. Some have been stuck there for quite a while for reasons like security clearance issues and such.  It is more likely he would head there the day after graduation and be on hold there waiting to class up, but again you won't know until right around graduation.

[WifeofaUSsailor]

You have to wait until they give him accompanied orders. See it's a little different with me because I moved down here before they gave him his orders. I was eager to get here and get settled because I have family that lives here since this is where my mom grew up. So I moved while my husband was in boot camp but I took a risk doing that because garden gal is right he could definitely get set back in training at anytime. Because I moved early we didn't get refunded until my husband started at his new command and finished A school. And they really could have chosen not to refund us because I moved before he had orders but a guy at my husband's command was nice and helped us out. I would recommend waiting until towards his graduation to line something up or see if somewhere will put something on hold for you. I know Angel Cove is pretty good about reserving an apartment for military. If you call ahead most people are willing to work with you.

[NavyWifeLife]

See I don't want to wait around and not have an apartment when they want to move me down. Its just not realistic to sit around and wait for them. I made an appointment with the recruiter to get information. He said it will be covered by the navy because its over 22 weeks (24) so they will cover it.... So if I move things down hopefully they reimburse me?? I will see. you're awful at helping girl!

[WifeofaUSsailor]

When looking for an apartment here in Pensacola I would suggest trying to find a place that is at the very most $1000 for rent each month. BAH right now is about $1150-$1200 (lower enlisted) and you also will have to pay for utilities ($100-$200). But we had a two bedroom at Angel Cove which is near the back gate of NAS and was a good commute and in a safe area. Be weary of apartments around Pensacola, the sketchy parts are sort of dispersed randomly around the city. If you need help finding anything let me know, my husband and I are stationed here since he got orders here after A school so we know our way around the area pretty well. :)