Does my branch (in the Army) influence the Army's ability to station me with spouse?

Cadet SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:12:26 -0500

I'm currently a single ROTC cadet. I as wondering as a general question-- in regards to the joint spouse program-- are there branches that are generally easier to station together? I've done some research and couldn't find much specifically about branches within the Army.

PSA I'm not throwing my career down the toilet. I am wondering as a general question because while I am currently single, I would want a shot to live with my spouse if God (and the Army lol) is willing.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 12:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:17:33 -0500

Your branch shouldn’t matter because all Army Installations have a need for all branches except for SOF.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 12:24 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:24:09 -0500

It all depends on your branch manager. My wife was a CPT nurse when I was commissioned into Aviation. While I was at flight school she received orders to Ft Stewart. I had to change my airframe if I wanted to get stationed close to her, hunter Army airfield. When she revived follow-on orders to Walter Reed in DC and I was at my career course they initially tried to send me to fort Monroe area in Virginia before finally sending me to fort McNair in DC. So if both your branches stevwill to work with you both it can work out but you might have to compromise a little. But in no way are you throwing your career away. Anyone who tells you that is ignorant of the process. You have to make choices but as long as you get your command assignment and get those Key development positions you will be ok. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 12:45 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:45:52 -0500

The standard answer.

It depends.

If you each are in smaller branches it will be harder to get to the same base.

I wouldn't worry about it now. If you are making life choices in the future, your branch can be changed.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 9 at 2018 12:57 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:57:56 -0500

Cadet SSG Private RallyPoint Member Joint or married Army couples program?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 1:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 13:29:29 -0500

Your branch will influence where the Army assigns you. My spouse is a 63J, Medevac pilot and I was a FA90, logistics. We were both in the married Army Couples Program. My wife’s MOS had priority. So in our career, both our Branch Managers worked together. They assigned my wife to an Aviation unit and then they found an assignment for me. We served on the same installation but not necessarily in the same BCT. This means one spouse could be deployed, both spouses deployed, or both at home.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2018 1:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 13:46:57 -0500

I’m not in that situation, but have multiple friends who are, and I think the key to none of them having had issues is two things: 1) at least one of them has a widely needed branch (logistics or AG), and 2) they are still flexible for short separations (a couple months for schools, deployments, etc). Good luck! The Army is a fine endeavor, but so is marriage and family.

Response by COL John McClellan made Dec 9 at 2018 2:12 PM

COL John McClellan — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 14:12:09 -0500

So, generally speaking if you are talking about a civilian spouse - then your branch doesn’t have much / any influence, and, there are only a few “unaccompanied” tour locations (without dependents.). Otherwise, you live on or off Post as per availability of housing. If though you are talking about a dual-military spouse, then yes - it can make a difference. Big bases work, and bigger branches like MI, signal or logistics branch, and/or if one spouse is medical, finance or AG. The Army likely has #s that you can look up and I’d guess that the satisfaction % for placing dual-military is probably pretty high - like 80 or 90%

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Dec 9 at 2018 7:12 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 19:12:05 -0500

Logistics. I had at fort ord a spouse and husband together. Andy commanded the Discom at Fort Drum. His wife taught at west point. Both retired as COL.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Dec 10 at 2018 12:58 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:58:34 -0500

The best advice I ever heard was from my father, a retired army LTC of infantry (WW2 10th Mt. Div.). He said, "A lieutenant should be single."

Response by SFC David Black made Dec 10 at 2018 11:53 AM

SFC David Black — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:53:23 -0500

You might get the same duty location but different units because of favoritism. Army won't allow favoritism in ranks.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 10 at 2018 4:35 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:35:35 -0500

It depends if there are bases that have both you MOS' and are there open spots for both of you.