Getting married between commissioning and UPT

nda_roxybabe

 Okay, bear with me here as I'm asking for a friend and am not familiar with all the abbreviations

Here's her situation:


Her BF (they have discussed marriage and its the place)  is in AF ROTC and obtained a pilot slot.They're both set to graduate from college in May, then he is heading to UPT at Columbus AFB following his commissioning(also in May). They haven't been told yet when he will go, but they know it will be any time from May to September.

Apparently, the word on the street is that she won't be able to go with him to UPT unless they get married BEFORE commissioning (again, mid-May).
Considering they're both trying to finish up college and are not interested in doing JOP then a vow renewal later it is kind of unrealistic for them to get married before his commisioning.

Is there a way around this? Like could they get married after commissioning, but before he leaves for UPT? Providing of course that he doesn't have to leave a week after commissioning.

Thoughts, advice?

BiMWaT

Yes, if they get married after commissioning/graduation but before his in-procesing, she will be able to move with him to Columbus and they will be able to either live off-base or on-base together.

If they don't get married, she could still move of course, but there is a good chance he'll be required to live on base for at least a few months, and they would have to be able to afford rent without BAH.  I have friends who were required to live on base for 6 months, and others not at all, so you really can't tell, but usually you do have to spend some time on base.  (They only let you move off when they're at a certain capacity.)

If he doesn't know his EAD, though, it can be tricky.  My FIs wasn't until 6 months after commissioning, but I have a friend who's EAD was within a week.  So it can be tricky planning...and even when you do find out, they can always change it on you!

We got married between commissioning and PCSing to Columbus so PM if you have any other questions!

catemeg

I know a few couples that planned their wedding for the day after college graduation - all the family was already in town, so it made it a little easier.  Honestly, it stinks but it's the only way she will get to go with him, have her moving expenses covered, get BAH (extra money he's given to pay for rent), and be sure he'll be able to live with her off base.  Otherwise, she can pack up and move there, but it's on her own dollar and there's no promise he'll get to live off base (at least at first).

I'm really not a fan of rushing into marriage just because of training - if they would have waited a little longer anyway, then I'm a big supporter of waiting until he's been in for a bit and can get some time off to have a wedding (in a year or so).  Not only will it give them more time to plan a wedding, it will also give them both time to adjust to the military life.  It's not for everyone, and it's a difficult adjustment, so it's best for them to not be adjusting to BOTH the military and being newlyweds at the same time.

nda_roxybabe

Thank you! I'll pass this along to her.

awise1

They can definitely get married after he commissions but before UPT, but he may still have to live in the dorms until that point.
My FI just started UPT and I just got commissioned. We were not allowed to move together since we were not married. And yes, he has to live in the single officers housing(A very tiny dorm room). 
We planned to get married while he was in UPT, but before I started UPT. Things were going smoothly until they changed our start dates. We'll now both be in UPT when we get married. I would warn your friends about this because it means no honeymoon (Huge bummer!!). He is also unable to help with any planning while he is in training. =(
So we planned to do what they are doing, but we are now scrambling to get leave and cancel honeymoon plans. =(