I have a suspension of favorable actions flag. I’m about to get married next week and I was wondering if that flag would hinder any benefit?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:38:05 -0500

I want to make sure that I’m not going to screw myself by getting married and not be able to take care of my wife. I have looked everywhere To make sure that the flag won’t stand in the way of BAH and it looks like I will be able to receive every benefit of being married but I figured I would ask because basically everyone in the army is on here and someone will be able to tell me yes or no. Let me know if you have experienced anything like this

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 1:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:47:03 -0500

You're entitled to your benefits, even while flagged. However, your commander may deny your leave.
Being flagged will prevent you from receiving awards, promotions, schools, PCS orders and tuition assistance. But not from your pay.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 1:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:52:50 -0500

Do your best to stay out of trouble. Hopefully it's not a field grade discipline. Just do the extra work, swallow your pride and do the best you can under the circumstances. I'm sure there are many here on rallypoint they would never admit that they did something wrong in their military career. Do the best you can and look forward that each new day because one day further down the road toward getting out of this punishment. When you are finally out of trouble, volunteer for extra courses, make your wife understand that taking these college courses at night paid for by tuition assistance will actually help you get promoted if you are an enlisted, or make you possibly a commissioned officer later down the line. Mistakes happen to everybody. Just do your best!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 2:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 14:46:15 -0500

You still get paid the same if flagged. But as SFC Boyd said, there are other things to take in account like passes and leave time. I would say it depends on what you are flagged for. If it is for disciplinary reason then most likely you’ll be lucky to do anything such as take time to get married unless you get it knocked out during a lunch hour real quick like, then you need to remember there’s more to just getting married, you have to get your spouse in DEERS, ID Card, etc. And if you P’d off your chain of command that’s not a good start with bringing a future spouse into the Army. But, most people I have had under my responsibility that were flagged for disciplinary reasons usually had other things that would occupy their time shortly after they had chow, especially if it was for dum crap (During duty hours don’t want you to think they were being punished before their actions took place that would be wrong, it was more inventory stuff), that way I didn’t need to worry about them doing anymore dum crap before there disciplinary action took place. If it’s for Marksmanship, poor job performance (crap bag type stuff), APFT failure or overweight then it really depends on your chain of command what they will decide to let you do. That’s the key to all this, you have a right to get married and deal with your personal life how you see fit. However, what I think is failing some of you young Soldiers today is you either don’t realize or don’t care what your change of command says like “Don’t do dum crap” or be in compliance with the Army Standards, but if you want to make a career out of the Military you might want to start realizing that whatever you do or fail to do is scrutinized by your chain of command or at least it was when I was in. So, if your Flagged for anything (from above) guess what? It’s real easy to not be flagged, don’t do dum stuff, qualify on your assigned weapon, pass your APFT (Company standard not Army standard even though passing Army standard won’t get you flagged it will earn you some extra PT) and don’t be over weight. There are many reasons to be flagged, you still get the same “Pay Entitlments” but other benefits or privileges are stopped until the Flag is lifted. And once that happens and you get flagged again shortly after because of whatever reason your flagged now, that’s a different road to travel which usually heads toward the gate and a goodbye thanks for coming.

My advice as an old Infantryman, pull your head out of your six, get right and remember why you joined in the first place. It will be a harder road to travel when you bring a spouse into this journey and keep going down whatever path your going down now.

And one more little side note. Why are you asking this question on Rallypoint and not your Team/Squad Leader for the answer or better yet, when you was flagged, why wasnt this brought up when they read the flag to you as to why your being flagged and what can be effected by the flag???? I know the few ones I had that were flagged for whatever reason (dum crap) as their Leader I counsled them on to what can happened during the Flag, etc, etc, etc. And a plan of action as to how to fix the deficiencies. So, this question you asked on a social media platform probably should of been asked to your leaders instead of um, the millions of Service Memeber that came before you and did there job as best as they could and avoided this type of stuff.

Good Luck!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 4:05 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:05:46 -0500

Your mistakes and problems would not affect your wife initially, the Service will let you get married, receive BAH and get medical and other benefits afforded to married servicemeners-Break-if you keep having issues they will effect your family absolutely and in the end cause them much grief and struggle, and you could be cut from service so work on meeting the standard and growing so that your actions bless your family and don’t become a problem in the long run 11 Bang Bang...Lead the way!

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Nov 4 at 2018 4:14 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:14:22 -0500

A flag cannot effect your pay or entitlements - you accrue leave while not being able to take leave, you still receive a clothing allowance, so BAH would not be effected, Your spouse is now a dependent, as such, you will receive the allotted BAH for your rank with dependent as your spouse cannot live in the barracks.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 4 at 2018 4:39 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:39:43 -0500

Have you asked the Personnel Officer in your S-1? Or the Disbursing Officer, wherever the Army hides them.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Nov 4 at 2018 5:51 PM

SSG Brian G. — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 17:51:10 -0500

A flag prevents favorable actions such as promotion, leave, schools, PCS, awards and the like. It cannot and does not mess with your pay in any way. The Army cannot stop you from getting married, however your leave for that honeymoon might have to wait until you get it lifted.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 4 at 2018 7:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 19:17:37 -0500

BAH is based on marital status, not flags.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 7:40 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 19:40:56 -0500

I am happy that you are thinking of taking care of your future wife. Get your act together and be an asset to the Army and your family. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2018 1:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 13:10:27 -0500

Just be careful of the path you take. The question you asked would throw 2-3 red flags to any Platoon Sergeant hearing it.
Family comes first, but you need to have a job to support that family.