Guidelines for the New Military Spouse

Becoming a military spouse can be a wonderful, yet anxiety-inducing, experience. Being a spouse of a member of the military requires its own set of guidelines that largely differ from the civilian worlds' spouses. While you and your spouse do have relatively easy access to great benefits, there are many things to do before you get comfortable in your new military lifestyle.

Find out where you're going to be moving to, and whether or not you can get on base housing or off base housing. If you live off base, your spouse will receive extra money known as BAH, which ranges from state to state. If you live on base, your utilities will be paid, and you will not receive BAH. If you are interested, apply for government housing by putting your name on the waiting list for on base housing. If you are choosing the other route, find out what living areas in your city are recommended and what areas are on the off-base list for housing. Do research online and spend a day or two looking at apartments and planning your move. While you're doing this, have your spouse visit his Finance office on post to update his pay status. This action will increase both his/her housing allowance (if you live off post), and his/her base pay. Familiarize yourself with his/her LES (Leave and Earnings Statement). The LES tells you how much allowances, pay, and leave (vacation) time your spouse has.

When you have a chance, begin learning the military acronyms. You'll be hearing things such as BDU's, AAFES, USO, and ACU. BDU's are Battle Dress Uniforms which the Air Force uses to refer to their camouflage uniform. ACU's are the Army's version of the uniform, and it stands for Army Combat Uniform. AAFES is the Army and Air Force Exchange service, which is a retail store for military personnel and their familes. USO is the United Service Organization, which hosts trips to different places when you're stationed overseas for free or a minimal price. There's a whole list of these acronyms. Once you are familiar with them, your spouse won't seem like he's talking a different language!

An Air Force miliary family.

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Copyright: American Red Cross