Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anti M on March 28, 2012 at 4:51pm

Well, a lot depends on his rate.  He can't (shouldn't) ask for bases which don't have a billet for him.  Is he up for shore duty or more of his sea rotation?  

He can ask for general geographic areas, but be careful.  East coast and west coast both include overseas orders.  Are you married?  If not, and he gets overseas, you're out of luck.

I like the west coast the best, San Diego especially.  Hawaii is nice, if he's an E-4 and you're married.  I just hate Norfolk with a passion, and Florida drives me nuts in a bad way.

Traffic near a base is always terrible.  Cost of living, the Navy helps with that if he qualifies (married, or E-5 if single).  Friendly?  What you make of the place.  

How adventurous are you?

Permalink Reply by abuon18 on March 28, 2012 at 6:06pm

Like Anti M said a lot depends on his rate. His detailer or instructor may have given him choices and asked him to pick his top 3... for example the only bases my husband could choose from were San Diego, Hawaii, Mayport (Florida), Japan, or Norfolk. Ask him about that! We're in San Diego right now and I pretty much love everything about it.  He's here for training but it's our first choice for his permanent duty station as well! There is so much to do, especially for young people and a lot of outdoors things that we couldn't do back in Florida! The entire city is pet-friendly (people bring their dogs to the mall and even restaurants that have outdoor seating), and most of the driving is freeway driving. Haven't had too much of a problem with traffic, and I work normal hours so I drive during rush hour. I've been a little disappointed in the weather, it seems like it only rains on the weekends! But when it's not raining the weather is gorgeous! Sunny, warm and breezy. Perfect!! (in my opinion!)

Permalink Reply by Anti M on March 28, 2012 at 7:07pm

And when it rains heavily in SD, everyone forgets how to drive....  true, yes?  

Permalink Reply by abuon18 on March 28, 2012 at 7:48pm

Those that know how to drive in the first place... yes! So we do try to stay off the roads during rain!

Permalink Reply by meagan5220 on March 28, 2012 at 10:05pm

Well I have only been in Norfolk for about 2 weeks and I cant say too much horrible about it. I know traffic is horrid here. but other than that I really like it so far. My allergies are going CRAZYYY!! The pollen here is so bad! My car is yellow (originally white! before the pollen!)

 

I did live in Everett, WA for about 6-7 months and I can say I HATED living in WA. Everett rains pretty much almost everyday, from what I was told its cloudy over 200 days out of the year. The lack of sun was really depressing to me. There is a lot of stuff to do up there and when its not raining its gorgeous! The weather also caused there to be a lot of mold issues. We had mold growing in our bathroom, on the bathroom ceiling. You pretty much have to put up with the mold to a ceratain extent its a big issue up there. I didnt like the fact that a lot of the extras were about 30-45 minutes awayin Marysville. The commissary and fleet and family services are in Marysville. and base housing is in Marysville and Lake Stevens (also about 30-45 minutes away). I know some people that LOVE WA and there is TONS to do there. But I know some people like me also have problems dealing with not seeing very much sun! Coming from Oklahoma I loved sun and being outside in the sunshine so it was a hard adjustment. Its a little bit pricier to live up there, groceries and gas are expensive but groceries arent taxed (anywhere), dairy products were sometimes cheaper bc they have lots of dairy farms up there, and there is no state taxes while working. :) Hope that helps a bit. Idk if Everett is a choice but just some insight lol :)

Permalink Reply by meagan5220 on March 28, 2012 at 10:07pm

oh also people can't drive in WA either. I almost got in a wreck bc the person in front of me slammed on their breaks on the highway bc the person in the next lane stopped. And be wary that everyone stops in the right hand lane to let one person merge. Causing a massive backup. and no one stops for Emergency vehicles! I got fliped off and honked at multiple times for doing so!

Permalink Reply by alyson_lynn on March 29, 2012 at 4:18pm

Thanks so much. I am new to the whole Navy thing. He is a hospital corpman and will also have orthopedic therapy under his belt by then. We are looking for shore duty first, we plan on getting married in the near future,  we would prefer to be west coast because we like the overseas assignments more. I may be new to this whole Navy thing, but one thing I have learned RIGHT AWAY-- The Navy never does what you want or what you have planned. :) Again thanks for the advice.

Permalink Reply by abuon18 on March 29, 2012 at 4:25pm

don't forget.... they only give accompanied orders to Sailors who are e-4 or above. Even if you're married if he's not at least an e-4 you won't be on them. Be careful with that!

Permalink Reply by Anti M on March 29, 2012 at 4:33pm

... small detail: E-3 can get accompanied orders stateside, but overseas orders the sailor must be E-4.  I know that's what abuon meant, just making sure it is clear.

Permalink Reply by abuon18 on March 29, 2012 at 4:47pm

oops sorry! thanks for catching that. my brain was working faster than my hands and left out that important detail!

Permalink Reply by Angie on March 29, 2012 at 5:04pm

If you are not married by the time he gets his orders, he can be sent overseas no matter his paygrade.  Than if you get married after he gets orders, the USN does NOT have to change them for him to go to a place that you can go.  You will just be seperated the whole time he is overseas. 

 

He can be sent to any of the major bases state side or overseas. 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Anti M on March 29, 2012 at 8:23pm

Another good catch, I read too fast and assumed they were already married.  Changes a few things.  I'll give you the basics, which may apply, or maybe not...

If he is an unmarried E-4 or below, he will be expected to live on base.  He will not get a housing allowance, he will be issued a barracks room.  You can go live near the base, and he can sleep offbase, but he has to keep his room inspection ready and there will be no extra money for the apartment.  He only gets BAH if the barracks are full (then he goes on a list behind those waiting longer) or he is an E-5.

If he gets married while on leave, and it is stateside, he can add you to his service record, you can pay for your own move to his duty station, and he can put in for housing or draw BAH to pay for a rental.  The Navy will NOT change his orders from unaccompanied to accompanied if he already separated from his training command and married en route.  All that means is he can't get you on the housing list early, and your move is not paid for.  Shipping household goods get tricky too if he checks out of his training command as a single sailor.  Not impossible, but a real hassle.

If he gets overseas orders, he must be an E-4 to take dependents.  But it isn't that simple.  He must ask for command sponsorship for you, and it can take six months or more to get it approved.  IF they approve it.  Hawaii is overseas, yes, you can go live there, but on your own dime (expensive).  You can't just go live in a foreign country like Japan with command sponsorship, they do have immigration laws.    This is the scenario which has so many couples running to the courthouse during A school.  Yes, they send married sailors overseas without their spouses, but they prefer not to do so.  

Don't panic.  Just as long as you know what's what so you two can make back-up plans.