I am thinking about going into the Air Force. I am engaged to my girlfriend and we planned on getting married. When I go into the Air Force, what is going to happen to me and my girlfriend? What about after BMT and Tech school? Does she live on base with me where I get assigned. Can we get married while Im in the air force. I just want to know what's going to happen between me and her if I go into the air force.
And how does the AF change your personality?
What will happen in the USAF?
Hello Chris,
What will happen when you enlist into the Air Force?
#1. You will go to Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas for 8 1/2 weeks of basic training. You will live in the barracks. No girlfriends allowed.
#2. After Basic Training you will be sent to another AF Base in either Texas or Mississippi for technical school training. Training could be between 8 - 48 weeks depending on the AF job you get assigned to learn. You will live in the barracks. No girlfriends allowed.
#3. Following graduation from technical school you will be assigned to one of 70 AF bases in the US and World-wide for your first duty for the rest of the 4 year enlistment. You will live in the barracks. No girlfriends allowed.
#4. You can get married whenever you want. Then you move out of the barracks. I always recommend waiting until AFTER you graduate from technical school and arrive at your first base and get squared away. Then, get married. No, you will not live on base because there are not enough base housing units and while you will be on the base housing waiting list for a 2 bedroom housing unit, it may be months to years before you move to the top of the housing list. Plan on living downtown in a rental apartment. Plan on having about $2,000 for rent deposits and starting utilities. Instead of a big expensive wedding back home ask your family and friends to give you money as wedding gifts to help you get started. They can come to the base to see you get married.
#5. You can get married on-base at the Base Chapel for Free. Any base chaplain would be happy to perform the ceremony.
The Air Force is not going to break up you and your girlfriend. But, you both must realize that you have to take into consideration the time required to properly train in your Air Force job and get qualified.
And, remember, your bride needs to understand that the Air Force comes before her. If you get deployed she has to accept it and learn to take care of herself until your return. Her benefit is being an Air Force wife and having the stability of military benefits.
Personality change? Only people change their personalities. The military only impresses upon you the seriousness of defending your country. You are the same person as when you were not in the military. What you do see and want to call a personality change is that you will become MORE MATURE and an ADULT after you enter the military services.
Best wishes,
Larry Smith
Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant
What will happen in the USAF?
Well if you get married, there is on base housing for families, which would bet he better idea if you're stationed in a high expense area (DC) You can get married while you're in the AF, it's not like they have a say in your personal life (unless you're gay, well Obama's changing that so maybe not) You can also just rent an apt with your gf, or wife whatever it may be and the AF will give you an allowance to help pay your rent.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE SURE BEFORE YOU MARRY! Please....
The USAF just makes you more disciplined and gives you the ability to respect more about life and the people around you. It will not turn you into a machine or anything, Marine Infantry on the other hand....
AF is a cake walk after training.
Your Girlfriend has no legal status in the US Military. She does not even exist. Until the day she becomes your wife. Of course you can get married while on active duty. Not during training as you won't have time. But afterward or before, no problem.
SFC
US Army
Retired
Unless you're legally married, your girlfriend is not entitled to zip and you will not get family housing. Can you get married while in the military? Of course.
As far as the military is concerned your GF doesn't exist. If and when get married she will become your dependent and have all the rights and benefits of a spouse. Whether you get married before or after joining is up to you. I will say that if you get married before hand she will have all the benefits from the first day of your enlistment.
As for personality, it will make you a better person.
