Army Fun Facts

These are based upon my experiences as an Army spouse. My experience falls as a traditional Army National Guard spouse and now as an Active Guard/Reserve spouse (AGR) with a combined total of 10 years.

-We ALL pay for our dental health coverage. Even soldiers. We pay soldier only, or it’s based on soldier and number of dependents up to a certain number. After that cut off number it’s the same premium no matter how many kids you have.

-The dental coverage really isn’t bad.

-Tricare, our health care system, is good IF you ONLY need routine care.

-You may or may not know who your Primary Care Manager (PCM) is. If you’re seen at a post clinic, they get you in with whoever has an opening.

-The Army has posts. The other branches have bases.

-Mental health care coverage for us ALL sucks donkey balls.

-Just because a hospital participates with Tricare,  doesn’t mean their behavioral health department does. In fact often times, they don’t.

-For parents of Autistic kids, your “best” option is to stay on Tricare Prime, use ONLY network providers (because that’s all you’re allowed to see), enroll your child in ECHO, and then STILL pay your monthly co pay based on your spouse’s rank.

-We do NOT get our housing for free. We DO get a housing allowance every month. This is based on rank, if you have dependents or not, and where your soldier is stationed. If you live on post, they just take your housing allowance out of your pay and give it to the privatized housing company. If you live off post, you get that money to put towards a place to live. There are pros and cons to both.

-There are a lot of military families on WIC and federal food assistance to make ends meet each month. This goes for all components, including active duty.

-Government contracts go to the lowest bidder, not who can deliver the best quality.

-National Guard families NEED your support. Most do not live near a post, and some don’t live near the unit in which their spouse serves. The unit your spouse serves in depends on where there is a job with his or her qualifications available. It’s not always close to your home.

-Officers pay for everything out of pocket whether active duty or National Guard. This hurts the budgets of many of our Guard families where the soldiers’ yearly salaries are not even close to that of their active duty counterparts when the Army keeps changing the uniforms.

-If you’re on Tricare Prime, you have to get a referral for specialists. You have to make sure they’re all up to date as most expire within 6 months if you have chronic conditions. You can get referrals for up to a year if your doctor is willing.

-Your housing contract may say that all pets need to be on leashes, but it may not be enforced. It’s highly annoying to find dog crap in your yard when you don’t own a dog, and after repeated complaints to your housing office. Your neighbors also shouldn’t complain if one day you accidentally happen to run over their cat because it’s in your driveway. (This hasn’t happened yet, but just sayin’)

-As a spouse, you don’t wear your soldier’s rank.

-Chain of command often fails. I’ve learned to go to who gets results even if that means stepping on someone else’s toes.

-An effective Family Readiness Group Leader (FRG) allows others to help when they volunteer. Don’t complain that no one volunteers when you have volunteers and turn them away.

-Displaying several Ranger tabs on the same vehicle makes me think you’re compensating for something else. Especially if you’re not in you’re early 20′s anymore.

-Just because it’s at the Commissary (military grocery store on post) doesn’t mean it’s cheaper than the grocery store in town. If you’re on a budget, you still need to look at the ads, clip coupons, and comparison shop.

-Just because it’s an Army post, that doesn’t mean they have Military Clothing Sales. You may need to go to another post.

-If the trip to clothing sales is not one of convenience, ALWAYS call to see if they have what you need in stock. Too many times you’ll get there, and they’re missing ONE item that you need.

-Ordering from AAFES online is a pain in the ass. Not only do you have to enter a shipping address for each item as you add it to your cart, but half the time you can’t find what you need or it’s not even to be found online.

-Nothing is etched in stone. Even orders change. Plan for what you’re told, but don’t count on it. Always have plans B and C ready just in case.

-If planning a family, remember that you will be a single parent more than you’d like, and at times when you can’t control.

-Eye exams are paid for by our health care, but glasses if needed are ONLY covered for the soldier.

-Only soldiers are seen at dental clinics on post. Family members must find a civilian dentist in the town where they are stationed to see for their care.

-National Guard Spouses, your soldier DOES get paid for drill and other training no matter what they tell you, unless they royally effed up.

Did I miss any? This is going to become a static page on this blog. If you’d like to add any I’ve missed, please add them in the comments.

Related posts:

1. They Finally Recognize Families
2. Falling Through The Cracks
3. Army Life – Tricare and ASUs
4. Military Misconception #1,264
5. They Published My Letter

Category: Army, Uncategorized, life, military