Can a unit seperate spouses in the same unit if they are legally married but the marriage certificate has not arrived?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:08:40 -0400

Our unit deploys very soon but our marriage certificate won't reach us till two weeks after we get down range. Our unit is trying to split us up due to being same MOS and platoon. Is there any AR or way we can remain on the same installation or can they separate me from my wife for a year of this deployment. (She is a PFC and I'm a SPC)

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 27 at 2017 12:11 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:11:21 -0400

I think the problem is the deployment. You should be able to be on the same post under married couples but been a while since I even looked at the regs on this issue.

Married Army Couples Program

Married Army Couples Program (MACP)

The Married Army Couples Program (MACP) provides Soldiers the opportunity to establish a joint domicile while fulfilling the Army's mission. Service members in the following categories may apply: Regular Army (RA), USAR Active Guard Reserve (AGR) and Title 10 ANGUS AGR Soldiers married to active duty members of the RA, RCs, other active duty U.S. military Services, USAR Active Guard Reserve (AGR) and Title 10 ANGUS,

In accordance with AR 614-200 Section IV, enrollment in the MACP does not guarantee reassignment together but does ensure that both Soldiers will be automatically considered for future joint-domicile assignments. Soldiers should submit a DA Form 4187 requesting enrollment in the MACP, with a copy of their marriage certificate to their Bde S-1/BCT or MPD who will take the necessary action to update to the Total Army Personnel Data Base (TAPDB).

Soldiers married to a member of another branch of the U.S. Military (Air Force, Navy, etc.) are not eligible to enroll in the MACP program for automatic joint domicile consideration. However, Soldiers may request reassignment to join their spouse by submitting a DA Form 4187 to their career branch at HRC, Fort Knox, KY. The Army's intent is to extend the courtesy of the MACP to the other services and accommodate joint domicile whenever possible, with the needs of the Army being the final, determining factor.

Soldiers may also update their preference for joint deployment or separate deployment cycles via the Assignment Satisfaction key (ASK) web page. The deployment preference is used by HRC assignment managers in the reassignment process and commanders as they deem appropriate.

For inquiries related to assignments contact your branch manager. Branch manager information can be obtained at the HRC website https://www.hrc.army.mil/

For inquiries related to “policy issues only” please send an email to the appropriate POC below. In the subject line, include “MACP policy issue" as well as the Soldier's grade, full name, and last 4 of SSN. The message body should contain the full name for both spouses involved. Please note that this branch does not make assignments.

The point of contact for Enlisted Soldiers is Enlisted Procedures and Soldier Actions Branch [login to see] or [login to see] .

The point of contact for Officers is [login to see] or at COML: [login to see] or DSN: 983-6829.

HRC Homepage

Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 askhrc.army@us.army.mil

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 12:16 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:16:06 -0400

Where's the question? Don't see a question mark anywhere.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 1:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:28:14 -0400

The regulation will usually indicate a separation of some form, usually separate companies as one of my previous NCOICs was married to another of the same MOS and rank, so he was in a different company of my battalion in garrison. While deployed (2011-2012) in Afghanistan, my unit had a married couple both same MOS and rank, but they were assigned to different bases. I've seen married couples deployed together, though usually of different MOS so usually assigned to different platoons. Hope it goes well for you.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 3:50 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:50:25 -0400

Can they separate you for a deployment? Yes. Can they separate you at home station? Yes. The end decision criteria is the mission needs. Even as Air Force (the kinder, gentler service) they will , as a rule, separate my husband and I if we ever deploy at the same time. We cannot be quartered together, even if we were to end up on the same base during a deployment. My gut tells me this stems from too many women having to go home early because they got pregnant in-theater. (Which sucks because that would be medically impossible for us). But oh well. This is the life we chose. SIUADO

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 4:19 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:19:23 -0400

Just to throw another example out there: during my first deployment, we had a few married couples deploy together. They were allowed to be quartered together. Then again, we did not allow them to publicly complain about anything, because they got to sleep together every night, whereas the rest of us went months without even seeing our spouses.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 2:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 02:58:37 -0400

The Army strive to maintain good order and discipline. When married couples of the same MOSs and same platoon are placed in one section, that creates a problem and degrades unit morale, deters the good order and discipline, and could lead to problems with folks in your platoon.

Instance: your wife gets in trouble and gets counseled, UCMJ, or chastised for making a mistake, your natural instincts are to preserve her happiness and do whatever it takes to rectify that problem. That in turn, leads to a whole new issue! You now will have animosity towards that NCO and will become belligerent and perhaps even disorderly and thus, it deters the unit from focusing on its mission. The MACP only applies in instances where you will be assigned to the same post, but not necessarily the same unit. It only preserve your marriage but not your close proximity to each other day in and day out.

Many of the answers do give you the basic straightforward response, but I have to say that after witnessing a case in Arizona where an IG complaint was filed, it became apparent that you can't have couples in the same platoon, or section. Again, everything will also fall to the Commander of that unit who will either approve or deny your request to stay with your wife! Also check out AR 600-20 not sure which section, but there's a section on there where it talks about the few issues I mentioned! Good luck

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 8:21 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:21:55 -0400

It's called Commanders Discretion and Mission Requirements for a reason.