What are the pros and cons of joining the Army Reserves with two kids and a husband who is an active duty Marine?

Shelby Pardo — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 18:08:02 -0400

Husband is a active duty marine. I've been debating on joing army reserves. We gave two kids. What are the pros and cons & has anyone done this before?

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Nov 1 at 2019 6:09 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 18:09:39 -0400

Shelby Pardo it is extremely difficult to have both parents in the military. I did it and it was hard. Others have done it. You must have a complete plan of what will happen to the kids if you both deploy and may not come back.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2019 6:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 18:22:35 -0400

The biggest practical impact is that the Army will require you to have a formal family care plan, with annual reviews to be approved by your commander in the event that both of you are mobilized at the same time.

Secondly, if you go on active duty for any reason longer than 30 days, you will not get BAH with dependents, he will (assuming he outranks or will outrank you) and you will get BAH at the without dependents rate.

It can be had to juggle all the schedules. There is a very real chance you both could be gone for weeks or months at the same time. I’d recommend you have some very deep conversations with each other, with your children, and the people you might consider as caregivers before you make any commitments.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2019 2:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:50:36 -0400

Dual military is difficult. It's even more difficult with children. It may be a little easier with you in the Reserves, but there's no guarantee you wouldn't be called to active duty for an extended period of time, and if so, there are no guarantees you would be stationed anywhere near your husband, especially with y'all being in different services. As others have said, you will both be required to submit a family care plan to your chain of command. It may be doable, but you and your husband need to thoroughly think this through and talk this out, and get the support of extended family or other caregivers.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 2 at 2019 6:33 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 18:33:34 -0400

I saw it all the time... Check into NAVY APG advance pay grade program.. if you qualify. 2 week bootcamp...

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Nov 2 at 2019 10:31 PM

SSG Dave Johnston — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 22:31:52 -0400

Yes, it's doable however, when your husband is on float, and you're called up for 90 or 180 days and your MOB station is 3 states away; i.e. CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C is Husbands home station/port and your MOB Station is Ft. Dix, NJ? Check this link and see if there might be a corresponding USAR unit available if he' transferred: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_installations
Or better yet, see if there is some place he could be assigned you might like to visit... Tourist, on Uncle Sam's dime.

List of United States Marine Corps installations - Wikipedia

This is a list of installations used by the United States Marine Corps, organized by type and state. Most US states do not have active Marine Corps bases; however, many do have reserve bases and centers. In addition, the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment maintains Marines permanently at numerous naval installations across the United States and abroad. The Corps also shares its headquarters with the rest of the United States armed forces at...