10 Benefits You Get as a Military Spouse

Moving cross-country and spending holidays and birthdays far apart are some of the many stresses felt by military couples. Being a military spouse can be an especially challenging experience at times, but it also comes with benefits. 

In this blog, we’ll go through some of the financial, legal, and educational benefits you’re entitled to as a military spouse, plus what to expect when marrying someone who’s often deployed overseas. 

What You Need to Know Before Marrying someone in the Military

Before you take the next big step, you should be ready for what you’ll be stepping into. There are a few challenges that you may encounter, but don’t worry - as long as you’re ready for them, you should be fine.

Long distance relationships are hard, but that’s something you’ll have to adjust to. There may be the possibility that your partner will be deployed for long periods of time over and over, which may make it hard to schedule a wedding for a certain date.

There will also be times where the needs of the military will need to take priority over your needs. This means that your partner may not be able to celebrate special days with you, such as your anniversary, because the military needs them to do something or be somewhere else. Even if they are home, the military usually requires long working hours for officers - so be ready for early work days and long work nights. You may need to hold down the fort at home alone.

Military marriages also come with unique stressors that civilian couples wouldn’t normally encounter. You and your partner need to be driven to push through the challenges. CLike a lot of issues between people, communication is key to making it through this. Make sure that you both are as open and honest with each other as you possibly could be. When things get hard, remember why you chose each other in the first place, remember why you love each other. Remember that love is more than fleeting feelings, but rather an active choice we make every day. So, stand side by side and face the challenges together.

All this can sound overwhelming, but don’t worry - military marriages are filled with more highs than lows. Military life offers a plethora of benefits, many of which we’ll be going through in the next section.

10 Benefits You Get as a Military Spouse

When you tell your friends or family members that you’re marrying someone in the military, you may hear them talk about how all the military marriage benefits you’re going to get. They may be all about the benefits, constantly going on about how good they are and how lucky you are to get them. Heck, you’ll probably get annoyed by it. You could ask yourself why they’re only talking about the marriage benefits you’ll get from marrying someone in the military. Even if you don’t want to talk about it all the time, the military does provide some great marriage benefits. Really, they’re pretty awesome! Let’s go through a few:

1. Military Pay - All service members receive their base pay, along with an array of allowances. Married service members also receive Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Contrary to popular belief among new military wives, the military does not have military spouse pay. However, if a military spouse does want to earn an income, the military offers help with finding jobs or pursuing a higher education.
2. Educational Benefits - Military Spouses that want to earn a college degree or a certification can do so with help from the military, either through the Post 9/11 GI Bill (The service members GI Bill can be transferred to the spouse or children to pay for education.) or the MyCAA Program (The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account that provides a maximum of $4,000 to pursue a licence, degree or certification). 
3. Hiring Preference - The military offers a program called the Military Spouse Hiring Preference, which gives military spouses an advantage when applying for some federal jobs, such as some civilian positions in the DOD.
4. Health Care Insurance - Active service members qualify for the military’s health care program TRICARE, which extends to their dependents (spouse, biological and adopted children) as well.
5. Travel Opportunities - Being in the military means you may have to move cities and countries every few years, but it also provides you with an opportunity to see the world. The US military can station your family all over the world, from Japan to Hawaii. The military also provides Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) that acts as extra compensation given to your spouse.
6. Military Recreation Benefits - Military Welfare and Recreation offers and manages programs like gyms, bowling alleys, event centers, and more at a more affordable price than civilian options.
7. Community - We said in the beginning of this article that military family life brings a unique set of challenges that civilian couples don’t normally face. However, you’re not alone. The military community is made up of people going through or have gone through the same thing and will be there to support you.
8. Military Discounts – There are a plethora of stores and restaurants that offer a military discount on their goods and services all year round. These discounts also extend to the service members’ spouses, so make sure to make use of it!
9. Marriage Counseling and Family Support – If you’re having a hard time adjusting to your new life or if you’re going through a rough patch in your marriage or even if you just want to go through some counseling - the military offers the MFLC (Military and Family Life) program. The program offers individual and/or marriage counseling without it going on record. Meeting areas for sessions can also be arranged off-base if you’re more comfortable with that.
10. Standing Next to Your Hero – Okay, yes this sounds cheesy but it’s true. Your spouse has dedicated his life to his country and to you. It’s always nice to have a personal hero to stand with, to look up to, and to build a life with.

FAQs

What is a military spouse entitled to?

Military spouses are entitled to many benefits such as health insurance, educational scholarships and hiring preference.

Do the military get paid more if married?

There is no marriage pay or increase in salary because one gets married. However married service members do receive additional allowances.

Does the military pay for weddings?

No, the military doesn’t pay for weddings, though we here at Courtly can help you complete the whole journey online at an affordable price through a pain-free and paper-free process.

Why do the military marry so fast?

There isn’t really a hard and fast rule as to why this happens, it could be due to the increased benefits it provides their partners.

Do military spouses get free college?

No, but they do have scholarship options

Do military spouses travel with their partners?

Yes, they can travel with their partners when stationed to other cities or countries unless specified otherwise.

Can a military spouse live with me on base?

Yes, a military spouse can live with you on base.

Do military wives work?

Yes, they can. The military also offers a hiring preference initiative for them.

How much does a soldier have to pay his spouse?

Nothing. The military has no form of spouse pay.

How long does a military spouse have to be married to get benefits?

Once the family member is registered in the military personnel system

What is the 20/20 15 rule for the military?

The 20/20 15 rule is for military divorces that occur on or after September 28, 1988, entitling an ex-spouse to the health care coverage of TRICARE for one year.

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