MACP- married army couples program, worth pushing to soldiers or a waste of time?

2014-11-09T19:47:18-05:00

I have seen macp work for senior enlisted but rarely for juniors. If young soldiers have been dating and get married is the program worth pushing?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 7:52 PM

2014-11-09T19:52:51-05:00

I have, indeed, seen it work for Service Members of all ranks. I think it is worth it.

After all, what is the harm in being in the MACP? If you are in the program, worst case scenario you don't PCS together. You have a better chance if you are.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Nov 9 at 2014 8:37 PM

2014-11-09T20:37:15-05:00

For those who may not be familiar, here is an article defining this program -

The Married Army Couples Program (MACP) provides Active Component, Regular Army Soldiers married to other Active Component, Regular Army Soldiers the opportunity to establish a joint domicile while fulfilling the Army's mission.

In accordance with AR 614-200 Section IV: Enrollment in the MACP does not guarantee reassignment together but does ensure that both Soldiers will be automatically considered for future joint-domicile assignments. Soldiers should submit a DA Form 4187 requesting enrollment in the MACP, with a copy of their marriage certificate to their Bde S-1/BCT or MPD who will take the necessary action to update to the Total Army Personnel Data Base (TAPDB).

Soldiers married to a member of the Reserve Component (National Guard, Army Reserve, AGR) or a member of another branch of the U.S. military (Air Force, Navy, etc) are not eligible to enroll in the MACP program for automatic joint domicile consideration. However, Soldier may request reassignment to join their spouse by submitting a DA Form 4187 to their career branch at HRC, Fort Knox, Ky. The Army's intent is to extend the courtesy of the MACP to the other services and accommodate joint domicile whenever possible with the needs of the Army being the final, determining factor.

Soldiers may also update their preference for joint deployment or separate deployment cycles via the Assignment Satisfaction key (ASK) web page. The deployment preference is used by HRC assignment managers in the reassignment process and commanders as they deem appropriate.

Here is the reference AR614- http://www.eur.army.mil/g1/content/TAG/OPMD/docs/infoPapers/Married_Army_Couples_Program.pdf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 4:04 AM

2015-02-03T04:04:09-05:00

It is worth it. Unless they are married just to get out of the barracks and get BAH. The program is designed to try and keep you and your spouse together as much as possible.

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Jun 8 at 2015 11:44 PM

2015-06-08T23:44:29-04:00

Honestly MACP does not work, I have more problems with this program than I care to discuss. Do not get married to another Service Member. MACP is a fantasy that the military created to placate Service Members into thinking that you will be stationed together. My wife and I have actually thought of a million other ways to live our lives, we have though about divorce until one of us retires and them remarry, AIPing in Korea until we retire, Her etsing and getting a civilian job you name it. Our orders have changed 3-5 times right before a PCS. We had the issue with our branches not communicating or working with each other it is a nightmare to say the least.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 6:58 PM

2016-06-23T18:58:59-04:00

I worked for my husband and I. We were enrolled in MACP and Joint Domicile. Each time we were due to possibly PCS, we call branch ahead of time. We were stationed together each time. I do believe that having the same MOS helps. The more junior ranking will follow the higher. It doesn't hurt to try.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2021 12:14 AM

2021-04-07T00:14:28-04:00

If me and my spouse are both Active Army. Do we both have to have the MAC-P or we both have to submit it?? I'm currently at AIT and he's already at his duty station.