Military Moms - Jan-Feb '09! - Page 5

[AFWife]

ARGH! It's the first payday and I'm already having issues.

When we opened the USAA account we were told we could open it with a zero balance because he hadn't left for basic training yet...apparently that's wrong. They closed the account after 45 days and DIDN'T TELL US!!! (we opened it back in October so there was plenty of time to inform us) Well, that means the direct deposit info he took with him isn't valid. So when finance tried to pay him they tried to deposit into a closed account...and it got kicked back. Now I have NO idea how to get my money and I really need it to pay bills! I called his recruiter and she's trying to see what she can do... : Please tell me this isn't normal. I have anxiety issues as it is.

[marimara]

No it's not normal, once you get the direct deposit sorted out you shouldn't have any more problems. Occasionally Finance will mess up pay for TDYs but not that often. We use BOA because they are everywhere and their "military bank" is quite nice. Also we've used the local base credit unions often before. I've not had much luck with USAA before, sorry..

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by tumblingstar

No it's not normal, once you get the direct deposit sorted out you shouldn't have any more problems. Occasionally Finance will mess up pay for TDYs but not that often. We use BOA because they are everywhere and their "military bank" is quite nice. Also we've used the local base credit unions often before. I've not had much luck with USAA before, sorry..

It's okay. Now the issue is dealing with DFAS (finance I guess) because they won't release the funds to USAA now. I'm having to do stuff with MyPay and try to get at it that way. Problem with that is HE set it up down there so I have no idea what the PIN number is or anything like that. And because I don't have "power of attorney" they won't let me do much directly. I hate to think that they're going to pull him out of training to have him fix it or something. That would suck. He's gone this long without getting yelled at or in trouble...

[marimara]

Originally Posted by AFWife

It's okay. Now the issue is dealing with DFAS (finance I guess) because they won't release the funds to USAA now. I'm having to do stuff with MyPay and try to get at it that way. Problem with that is HE set it up down there so I have no idea what the PIN number is or anything like that. And because I don't have "power of attorney" they won't let me do much directly. I hate to think that they're going to pull him out of training to have him fix it or something. That would suck. He's gone this long without getting yelled at or in trouble...

I would highly, highly, highly, suggest you get a General Power of Attorney. If he is deployed or in training you will need to do things like this and sometimes (like if he is deployed) it could be days or weeks before you could hear from him. Dealing with Finance can be a PITA sometimes but it comes with the territory. Also another word to the wise, (since I saw you were new to the military, 1st Sgt wife here), getting into a financial trouble-overloaded on debt, payments, etc can get your dh into trouble and he could possibly lose his job over it. It's very important to keep good track of your finances and not get into too much debt. It's so so so so common to see new airmen and their families join the AF and immediately get into debt, because they suddenly see these nice paychecks and want to spend, spend, spend. First thing they do is get a new car. Not saying at all that you guys are like that, I just wanted to throw that out there (because I was just talking to some airmen about this at lunch today). :

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by tumblingstar

I would highly, highly, highly, suggest you get a General Power of Attorney. If he is deployed or in training you will need to do things like this and sometimes (like if he is deployed) it could be days or weeks before you could hear from him. Dealing with Finance can be a PITA sometimes but it comes with the territory. Also another word to the wise, (since I saw you were new to the military, 1st Sgt wife here), getting into a financial trouble-overloaded on debt, payments, etc can get your dh into trouble and he could possibly lose his job over it. It's very important to keep good track of your finances and not get into too much debt. It's so so so so common to see new airmen and their families join the AF and immediately get into debt, because they suddenly see these nice paychecks and want to spend, spend, spend. First thing they do is get a new car. Not saying at all that you guys are like that, I just wanted to throw that out there (because I was just talking to some airmen about this at lunch today). :

He's good about money and finances. We're actually trying to follow the Dave Ramsey plan...Yes, we will be getting a new car but we desperately NEED it (not WANT it)
My brother is a Marine and he's told me about all these guys that have their entire paycheck spent in a matter of days...I don't understand it.
I do appreciate the concern, though. We're trying our hardest to get OUT of debt (hopefully that will only take 2 or so years...we don't have THAT much and the majority of it is student loans)
LOL Any other words of wisdom are very welcome!!!

[~Katie~]

Awesome news, katheek!

DH came back from JRTC on Wednesday night and it only took DS about 20 minutes to warm back up to him. He was confused because he saw him for the first time upon waking up and I think he must have thought he was still dreaming.

We now have a set date for deployment, less than a week before my due date. Still not entirely sure if DH will be allowed to stay until after the birth but we should find that out soon. The reality of it has started hitting me these last few days since we started packing up his stuff to get it ready to send over there. I'm trying to put on a brave face though.

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by KatieJD

We now have a set date for deployment, less than a week before my due date. Still not entirely sure if DH will be allowed to stay until after the birth but we should find that out soon. The reality of it has started hitting me these last few days since we started packing up his stuff to get it ready to send over there. I'm trying to put on a brave face though.

DH graduated his first recruit class on Friday. It was fun to be at the graduation ceremony- the last boot camp graduation I was at was when he graduated 5 years ago. Not much has changed! He is home on leave until the end of the month, then he starts a new cycle. He pretty much spent the whole weekend sleeping.

[gagin37]

Originally Posted by KatieJD

We now have a set date for deployment, less than a week before my due date. Still not entirely sure if DH will be allowed to stay until after the birth but we should find that out soon. The reality of it has started hitting me these last few days since we started packing up his stuff to get it ready to send over there. I'm trying to put on a brave face though.

[AFWife]

Tricare Question!!!

I called to enroll in Tricare Prime Remote (it's what the recruiter told me I needed) and they said I'd have to fill out a form online and blah blah blah (several weeks until I get coverage kind of thing)

Then she told me I was already enrolled in Tricare Standard and would just have a deductible of $50...

Is that right?

[katheek77]

Originally Posted by AFWife

Tricare Question!!!

I called to enroll in Tricare Prime Remote (it's what the recruiter told me I needed) and they said I'd have to fill out a form online and blah blah blah (several weeks until I get coverage kind of thing)

Then she told me I was already enrolled in Tricare Standard and would just have a deductible of $50...

Is that right?

Depending on when you send the form in, it will start the first of the next month or the first of the second next month (I think the cutoff date is the 20th...not sure...so, if you fill it out by Feb 15, it would start Mar 1, but if you fill it out Feb 21, it wouldn't start until April 1). Although since I found out I was pregnant the week we PCS'd, they made mine retroactive to the start of the month I filed in.

Clear as mud?

TPR is awesome. I : it. Much wider selection of doctors to choose from. I know nothing about standard, though I think there's also a cost share in addition to your deductible.

ETA:
TRICARE Standard
Outpatient cost share after deductible is met:20% of the TRICARE allowable charge You may be required to file your own claims

Here's the tricare standard handbook: http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/Dow...andbook_06.pdf

[marlne]

AFwife~ I don't get the whole tricare thing honestly some days.
When we got to our destination, we visited the tricare office and they set it up for us.



While on RD..
Been kinda quiet lately as we're all a little down with recruiting duty.
Never thought how bad it could really affect you when you have one car!
I'm literally stranded with my 3yr old all day just about 6 days a week or so. My girls can't even do things after school with me not having a car.
There's no bus system here either unfortunately to get around anywhere.
It can get a bit depressing.

My DH is having a hard time too with RD. As I've mentioned before, he's just not recruiter material. He's not a salesman at all and doesn't like people. (wll more like he just isn't a people person. He likes other military ppl.lol)
The guy in charge asked him if he wanted to quit already.
Hmmmm, wonder what could happen to my hubby if he did? I didn't know they could quit.

It's not like he isn't trying though. He's honestly trying very hard to do the best he can.

[Kassyaf13]

Need to relate

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Keri and I am stationed overseas with my husband. We have one DS that is 5 months old. I am new to this site but love to have military mom's to relate to.

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by marlne

My DH is having a hard time too with RD. As I've mentioned before, he's just not recruiter material. He's not a salesman at all and doesn't like people. (wll more like he just isn't a people person. He likes other military ppl.lol)
The guy in charge asked him if he wanted to quit already.
Hmmmm, wonder what could happen to my hubby if he did? I didn't know they could quit.

It's not like he isn't trying though. He's honestly trying very hard to do the best he can.

Sorry you are all having a hard time with RD. I'm not sure what would happen if he quit, but it wouldn't be good. It would go in his record and it could be a very long time before he was able to pick up rank. It's very possible they would look at it when it came time to reenlist. I hope that it gets better for him with time (and for you too!).

Welcome Kassyaf13!

[cat_tengel]

So many questions...

where do I start? DH has talked for years about joining the Army, and it looks like he's actually going to do it this time. What do I need to know? I don't even know what to ask in the first place...how does housing work? how about everything else? I'll be handling most of the practical, day-to-day life stuff so...what do I need to know to pull this off without pulling out all my hair? TIA!
Caitlin

[Alohamelly]

Okay help me out with this

My husband deploys again later this year and I want to go home for it. I want to go to Hawaii and stay there for the year. I'm not happy here. I need the warmth and sunshine and good friends. I'll have 3 kids, including one baby who will be about 4 months old. What do you think? Doable? What would you do with the cars? We've left our things in storage for a year, so I know that's doable, but the cars are an issue. Also, I don't know if we'd be as lucky as we were when we stayed in AZ for the year while my DH was in Korea. The Army paid to move us there and then they packed us up and moved us out of there. I don't know if they'd do that for a deployment. My husband is unsupportive of this plan because he thinks if I go back, I will never leave again and I've told him over and over that it's not true. I'd go back knowing it's temporary and if I could stay there for the next year, that would get me through the next few years of wherever we end up next, you know? I just need to go home for a little while.

[marlne]

Thanks Kirsten
I have been talking daily with my hubby in trying to get him to get me a used car with our tax return.. He's agreeing with me so I'm a little hopeful.
Now it's just a matter of what I can find over the phone or internet that he can go look at.

He's going to keep hanging in there of course. I think it's just going to take a bit longer than a "few months" adjustment for him. (more like the whole few years.lol)
HOpefully with having a second car, it will help us here stranded at home and maybe even him when we can come visit.
We are currently a 20min drive from DH's office. Getting a car is our best option and I think it could help. Keep your fingers crossed we find a car?

Alohamelly~ I think it's doable!
Do you have any family here on the mainland that will keep your cars for you?
If not, how about finding a storage place that accepts cars? Unfortunately I don't know how much that would cost..
We didn't think we'd miss Oahu but are finding we are already.lol

[MangoMommy]

Originally Posted by Alohamelly

My husband deploys again later this year and I want to go home for it. I want to go to Hawaii and stay there for the year. I'm not happy here. I need the warmth and sunshine and good friends. I'll have 3 kids, including one baby who will be about 4 months old. What do you think? Doable? What would you do with the cars? We've left our things in storage for a year, so I know that's doable, but the cars are an issue. Also, I don't know if we'd be as lucky as we were when we stayed in AZ for the year while my DH was in Korea. The Army paid to move us there and then they packed us up and moved us out of there. I don't know if they'd do that for a deployment. My husband is unsupportive of this plan because he thinks if I go back, I will never leave again and I've told him over and over that it's not true. I'd go back knowing it's temporary and if I could stay there for the next year, that would get me through the next few years of wherever we end up next, you know? I just need to go home for a little while.

AlohaMelly!
Do you have family in the area that could help you here on O'ahu? Could you afford to ship 1 car to the island? I'm not sure how Army (you guys are Army?) works with deployments and moves,etc but I can imagine missing the warmth and sunshine. I know I will when we leave in a year.

BTW, I think I "know" you thru HMW...I joined, probably as you were leaving?

[MangoMommy]

Originally Posted by AFWife

Tricare Question!!!

I called to enroll in Tricare Prime Remote (it's what the recruiter told me I needed) and they said I'd have to fill out a form online and blah blah blah (several weeks until I get coverage kind of thing)

Then she told me I was already enrolled in Tricare Standard and would just have a deductible of $50...

Is that right?

Ok, you (the wife) are automatically enrolled in Tricare Standard when you are entered into DEERS. Tricare Standard requires a deductible, plus co-pays for every visit. You can go this route if you need to be seen immediately while you wait on Tricare Prime, but I'd do the paperwork for Prime and wait for it. Tricare Prime Remote is ZERO out of pocket but you still get to pick doctors. Normally those on Tricare Prime have to be seen at the medical facility onbase but when you don't like by a base you get to pick.

[MangoMommy]

Originally Posted by cat_tengel

where do I start? DH has talked for years about joining the Army, and it looks like he's actually going to do it this time. What do I need to know? I don't even know what to ask in the first place...how does housing work? how about everything else? I'll be handling most of the practical, day-to-day life stuff so...what do I need to know to pull this off without pulling out all my hair? TIA!
Caitlin

I wasn't with my DH when he joined, we met a year later so he was already getting paid so I don't know how that works out. But be prepared for all and everything to not make sense or go wrong. LOL. It's rough at first while they get the finances figured out I've heard.

Basically he'll get base pay (which is pretty low but decent) and a housing allowance, unless you live in base housing.

[Kassyaf13]

Originally Posted by cat_tengel

where do I start? DH has talked for years about joining the Army, and it looks like he's actually going to do it this time. What do I need to know? I don't even know what to ask in the first place...how does housing work? how about everything else? I'll be handling most of the practical, day-to-day life stuff so...what do I need to know to pull this off without pulling out all my hair? TIA!
Caitlin

Cat Tengel,
All military branches offer LOTS of classes once he joins. The minute you get your ID card go on base and start trying to get in to classes. They have ones on how to PCS, how finance works, how housing is done, all of that. If you can't find the classes then just start making phone calls, your first one should be to the Family Support Center, I think that's what the Army's is called. A lot of people don't know about the stuff that is offered but I promise if you get involved then knowledge will be your power.