Getting Married Before Both Go to Boot Camp

This is a very special case. Typically M2M couples meet while already in the Military. Or happen when a civilian spouse decides to enlist as well.

But it also happens that couples choose to enlist together. Such was the case with my kids (Daughter and Son-in-law). They got married just 2 weeks before the first of them left for boot camp. And their experience has pointed out a couple of issues that should be considered.

Name Changes:
If either or both are going to change their names with the Marriage consider where you are in the enlistment process. If you have already sworn into the DEP program, you have ‘Orders’ assigned to the name you were using when you swore your oath. So you MUST get those orders changed! Otherwise, you can’t go to Boot Camp with your new name!!!

Depending on your MEP station, the process to change you name on your Orders seems to take 6-12 weeks. Recruiters should be able to assist you with the process. But until you get the Orders changed, you can’t do the other routine name changes (DL, SSN, etc…) all of which take time as well.

So if you don’t allow enough time for all of this, you will wind up NOT being able to make these changes until at least after Boot Camp and probably not until after you complete A School.

Separation Pay (FSA):
FSA is an allowance paid to a member when forced by Orders to be away from their family. It is currently $250 per month, and is routinely paid when 1 member of a marriage enlists and the other remains a civilian; even starting in Boot Camp. But because M2M marriages where both are enlisting at the same time, or nearly the same time, are unusual this confuses personnel people that you will encounter in Boot, A School and, even some C Schools & Commands.

Things that have been said to my kids include: You can’t get that in Boot Camp, M2M can only get that if one is on Sea Duty, that isn’t payable while you are in training or TAD.

All of these statements are wrong! The DoD Pay Manual Chapter 27 lays out the circumstances under which Separation Pay is authorized. And Separation Pay IS authorized during Boot Camp and A & C schools, even to M2M couples. The only restriction is that only 1 of the members can draw FSA.

Notes:
If you have been married for some time, at least 3-6mo, before you both decide to start the enlistment process, or there is a significant delay (6mo-1yr) between the two of you leaving for Boot Camp, then these issues should be lessened. But I wouldn’t expect it to be problem free. M2M while not unusual is still a minority of Sailors and as such still causes personnel departments throughout the Navy fits!