What are the chances of command kicking me to the barracks after my divorce finalises?

Jeff Wentz — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 11:06:49 -0500

So my story is that I’m currently still married. The only reason I haven’t divorced her yet is because neither of us have the $200+ filing fee or the $50 serve fee. Seeing that’s the case, I’ll be enlisting with a wife and three step kids, so 4 dependents. Just wondering if these cases usually get kicked to the barracks, or left alone.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 12:19 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:19:12 -0500

You can do a search for opther posts dealing with divorce. Have you taken your list of questions and talked to a recruiter?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/do-you-move-back-in-the-barracks-immediately-after-divorce

Do you move back in the barracks immediately after divorce? | RallyPoint

Question for married soldiers, BAH and divorces. If I stay off post, and I get a divorce. Do I have to move back into the barracks immediately, or will finance allow me to keep getting BAH until I my lease is up?

Response by Jeff Wentz made Dec 7 at 2019 12:31 PM

Jeff Wentz — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:31:04 -0500

I didn’t even notice there was a search function. This post can be deleted.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 12:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 12:37:06 -0500

If you're not authorized BAH then you'll be in the barracks. As long as you're married you will receive BAH and be responsible for housing your family.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 7 at 2019 2:17 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 14:17:21 -0500

Take care of it before you sign in. Otherwise it will be a headache from hell.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 3:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 15:04:04 -0500

Divorce first! Cant stress that enough. A pvt with dependents is rough, especially because the army will still hold you financially responsible for them.

But yeah. You're going to end up in the barracks.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 7 at 2019 4:41 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 16:41:14 -0500

You would never be out of the barracks if you are getting a divorce. I doubt your wife wants to move to your assignment only to go home later. Either way, barracks.

Response by PO1 Michael Turnbeaugh made Dec 7 at 2019 5:37 PM

PO1 Michael Turnbeaugh — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 17:37:05 -0500

Have you even mentioned four dependents to your recruiter? You might not be allowed to enlist with that many dependents. An E-1 really doesn't make enough money to support four dependents.

Response by SPC Adrian LaPene made Dec 7 at 2019 6:51 PM

SPC Adrian LaPene — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 18:51:37 -0500

Check with your local police department or sheriff’s office, they serve for free. Your crazy to go in on the verge of divorce and if your recruiter knows and let’s you he’s a fried jackapple. Also, do your time in the barracks, it builds character

Response by SFC Steven Schafer made Dec 8 at 2019 12:14 AM

SFC Steven Schafer — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 00:14:40 -0500

Depending on your record. If you are a dependable soldier, and not having any disciplinary actions hanging over your head, then there should be no actions taken.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 1:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 13:55:08 -0500

Get everything in order before enlisting! otherwise, you will start off as a problem child that nobody wants.
If you really care about your future military service then finalize the divorce and say goodbye. You will find it much easier living in the barracks then off post.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 6:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 18:30:49 -0500

What’s your custody agreement looking like ??? If you don’t have kids it’s back to to brick for you broski lmao

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 8 at 2019 8:16 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:16:36 -0500

You have bigger problems than whether you will be living in the barracks or not and if that in anyway drives your decision making, you need to STOP and do some heavy thinking before enlisting.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2019 9:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 09:42:38 -0500

You are assuming a lot of financial risk if you enlist while a divorce is pending. Saying that your marriage is on its last legs doesn't matter to the Army or the judge. They will see that you are enlisted, did not file until after enlisting, and receive benefits that will be used to calculate the final divorce settlement.
Get the divorce done first, by hook or by crook. You can't afford not to cough up the $250, and if you both agree this is where this is going than you should file a joint petition and split the cost.

As for the barracks question, if your wife wants to move herself and the kids to wherever the Army sees fit to send you - it could be overseas - then hypothetically you'd get on the wait list for base housing, but chances are you'd be securing quarters out in the economy and receiving BAH, an albatross that will persist for a painfully long time. She will think she is entitled, and most judges would be inclined to agree. If you show up as a "geographic bachelor", you will live in the barracks and potentially receive allowances for your situation.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 9 at 2019 1:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 13:33:00 -0500

This is off tangent but want to say you need to invest in a lawyer who will fight for you. There should be no negotiating about this matter. Trust me, my ex filed bankruptcy despite giving her $2000/month and was riddled with $130,000 of the joint debt. You definitely need to protect yourself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2019 2:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 14:13:03 -0500

Why would you get kicked to the barracks? If you're married when you enlist and married when you get to your first duty station, you then are treated as "with dependents." Even if you're not bringing them with you.

Realize this - if you stay married but she doesn't come with you then you have to pay her so much: http://www.benning.army.mil/mcoe/sja/content/pdf/AR%20608-99%20Family%20Support.pdf

The regulation is in there too. AR 608-99 if you can't open it covers Family Support.

You better just get a divorce before you go enlist in the military because otherwise, you're looking a huge headache if you wait. It's going to cost you more than $250 if you wait.

AR%2520608-99%2520Family%2520Support.pdf

Response by SPC James Orfanos made Jan 23 at 2020 10:00 PM

SPC James Orfanos — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 22:00:33 -0500

you are usually called a territorial bachelor if your wife and kids do not accompany you. Do not believe the recruiters when they say you are guaranteed BAQ or a dependency allowance... Once you are sworn in you are in... Some thing similar happened to me and I was promised the above but since they did not accompany me, I was assigned a barracks room and no extra money... Be careful what you sign...