The Pros and Cons of Marrying a Man Who is in the Military

If you are a woman who has fallen in love with a member of the Armed Forces you will have a lot to think about if you receive a marriage proposal. But before taking this step, consider first the pros and cons of marrying a man who is in the military. The new life that you are about to enter is not glamorous, as film depictions would have you believe.

You may view your fiancé as your top priority, but that does not mean he will be able to reciprocate. A member of the Armed Forces takes an oath before he joins the military whereby he swears to put his career and his country first. That automatically relegates you to a secondary position before you even have a ring on your finger. This article will look at the pros and cons of marrying a man who is in the military.

Pros

Single active duty members do not have as many privileges as married active duty members do. Once you are married, you will be entitled to live in free government housing either on or off the base or post. If you live on base, your utilities will also be paid for you. Your only concern will be the phone bill and any other personal bills you incur. But if you live in government housing off the base or post, your husband will receive a cost of living allowance, that will help defray the expense of living on "the economy", or local community.

Marriage to a member of the Armed Forces also entitles you to free medical treatment. You will be assigned a PCM (Primary Care Manager) and you will be able to make appointments to see doctors whenever you or your children need treatment without having to worry about filling in any health insurance forms. If you need specialist treatment that the base or post cannot provide, you will be referred to a civilian healthcare provider and the military will pay your medical bill.

The expense of shopping will be reduced once you marry a member of the Armed Forces, as military bases and posts provide tax free shopping for their military customers and their immediate family members. You will be allowed to access these facilities with or without your husband simply by producing your military ID card.