With the Army still pay to move my wife overseas if it's a year after I PCS?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:54:13 -0500

I just recieved orders to PCS to Germany which will be my first duty station, not what my fiance and I were expecting. We planned on getting married next year but that will be kind of difficult with me being overseas. So now we have decided to get married while on TDY leave before I go. But she has too many things to take care of financially to just move like next week. So she plans on staying about a year to get ahead on everything and will then move with me. I am just wondering if the Army will pay for her to move even if it's a year after I PCS considering I will be married before I report to my station.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 1:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:58:06 -0500

I’m not sure if it has changed, but I have had a similar experience. They will AS LONG AS you do not use the service already to move your stuff and just take it with you. The Army paid for the moving track for my wife going from KY to KS.

Be forewarned though, this was a pain in the ass for me, and it might have since changed as that was in 2014/15 but to save a few thousand? It’s worth the hassle.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jan 30 at 2019 2:09 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:09:08 -0500

I believe you can ship hold baggage 600 pounds and then she can use the household goods shipping allowance to ship the rest of "your" stuff (combined) but check on that.

Response by Reyna Peterson made Jan 30 at 2019 2:10 PM

Reyna Peterson — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:10:26 -0500

Yes it is possible. Make sure first thing first after marriage enroll her in DEERS system then everything else follow will be easy. Try to do the enrollment before you report so id card and Tricare will be given.

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made Jan 30 at 2019 2:14 PM

SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:14:59 -0500

Initially you are going as an unaccompanied Soldier, as I recall it used to be first timers in Germany served 2 years. Multi-term and accompanied (married) did three years. So more than likely you will not have accompanied orders from the git-go, thereby you will not be entitled to bring household goods as you will not be authorized to live in housing. You will then have to get with your command and initiate sponsorship of your spouse and you will have to get everything set up for her to join you. Should you succeed, i believe your term will be extended the extra year.. but i will say that you will lose way too much time to set it up and it just may be better to do your short tour and go stateside sooner. But make sure you set everything up to receive your entitlements.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 30 at 2019 3:02 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:02:57 -0500

You are fine. She could not go with you up front anyway. When you arrive at your unit you need to change your status to married and then submit for a change of your to accompanied. Then at a later date you will adjust your status again and get orders to bring her over. No reason to sweat, brief your unit as soon as you arrive. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 3:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:51:57 -0500

You will go to Germany on an unaccompanied tour because you are an initial term Soldier. The Army is not tracking you as being married. You are what as referred to as dependent gamed in transition. That means that the Army will not pay for your spouse fly out to you in Germany. If your spouse wants to join you in Germany, you will have to apply for command sponsorship and that will lengthen your tour to an accompanied tour. However, you will be responsible for paying for the flight out for her because she was not your dependent when you received your orders.