Dual military couple with officer aspirations. Possible? Inadvisable?

PO2 Alana Nielson — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:37:29 -0500

My husband and I are Army and Navy linguists, respectively. We both have dreams of becoming officers (his is Intel, mine is JAG corps), but we're concerned that our decisions to apply for OCS and the Navy JAG FLEP will result in us never being stationed together. Is it unheard of for officer couples in different branches to be stationed together? Would it be more advisable for one of us to pursue our goals as a civilian?

Response by SrA David Steyer made Mar 7 at 2015 11:44 AM

SrA David Steyer — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:44:35 -0500

Have you thought about being in the same branch?

I am not stationed with them anymore but I knew of an Air Force nurse who married an officer in the Marines and I think they are still in the Washington DC area. No idea if/when how it will work when they have to PCS as she has been there for a long time now.

I knew of an Air Force PA or MD (forget which) in the same unit who is married to a Sergeant in the Marine Corps...I knew she got out for some reason or another, I believe she was being forced to go to some school (non-PME) and did not want to go but I could be wrong. The last I knew she transferred over to the Navy.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 7 at 2015 12:15 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:15:16 -0500

Think about geographic locations, as opposed to bases.

You can do Naval District Washington DC which includes Quantico (USMC), Ft Belvoir (Army), Navy Yard, Andrews (USAF), Pentagon, etc. There's VA Beach area, I want to say WA state has similar set ups, as does CA.

I ran into a similar problem. My wife was a bandsmen, and I was intel. She only had 13 places she could go, while my options were "different."

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 7 at 2015 12:43 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:43:17 -0500

While not impossible to remain in the same location, it will probably be very difficult. There are always joint positions where you could potentially be assigned together.

I think SrA David Steyer makes a very valid point that it might be easier if one of you changes over to the others branch.

Don't set aside your dreams and aspirations for a temporary challenge. Finally, I'd suggest you talk with your Chain of Command and get their input as to challenges they see for the career field you want to pursue.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 7 at 2015 1:39 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 13:39:55 -0500

Shoot for the moon and see where the space dust lands and what I mean keep your dreams in sight as CSM Michael J. Uhlig and Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS said. I can see joint assignments such as CENTCOM or him going to the glass building in Maryland while you are somewhere in the beltline of DC. It will not be easy at first since but eventually and hopefully it will work out.

Response by CAPT Douglas McDonald made May 9 at 2015 8:05 AM

CAPT Douglas McDonald — Sat, 09 May 2015 08:05:59 -0400

Needs of the service suggest collocation a "coincidence" not a "policy"...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 12:35 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 00:35:27 -0400

I've known a couple couples, no pun intended, who were commissioned officers. One of those couples was Reserves, so that made things less complicated for them, but the other was Active Duty. So, it is possible. Good luck.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made May 12 at 2023 10:23 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Fri, 12 May 2023 10:23:39 -0400

Could be reason for Joint Bases, such as Story-LittleCreek. That only Army Navy Joint I know of, but surely there are more.