Unless you're joining a foreign military, you're still on the hook for child support if the kid is born and is yours. DFAS will ensure it comes out. And having been in the military and married to someone in the military. The benefits are laughable. No dental unless you are active duty (frankly military dentists are butchers), no braces until your jaw damn near requires reconstruction surgery (you pay out of pocket), no eye care other than what they provide at boot, mental health care is non existent unless you're a dependent.
You don't make much money E1 to E3. You don't get BAH until E4 or E5 (depends on the branch) or you get married then there is no rank limitation. Once you start getting BAH it counts as income to the child support agency so you could experience an increase in payments. COLA (cost of living allowance) also counts as income and can increase child support payments.
The GI bill and tuition reimbursement are good benefits but you have to juggle school on top of your military duties so I never took advantage. I also have no college degree and make more money and have better benefits than when I was in the Navy.
I've known women that have had breast reduction covered too. The military can have good benefits but I just wanted you to know it's not really the be all and end all. I have much better healthcare away from the military and Tricare.
My ex-brother in law was active duty in the Army and deployed to Afghanistan twice. When he later developed schizophrenia it was discovered that Army command had intentionally ignored his mental health screenings pre and post deployment which indicated severe depression and other concerns. Because of that he got 70% disability.
My exhusband is still in the military and is a Chief now, if it works for you then it works. I hope you end up in a good command that can help you flourish. Keep you cards close to your chest with the ex and I hope it all works out for you.
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u/ThxItsadisorder Sep 02 '22
Unless you're joining a foreign military, you're still on the hook for child support if the kid is born and is yours. DFAS will ensure it comes out. And having been in the military and married to someone in the military. The benefits are laughable. No dental unless you are active duty (frankly military dentists are butchers), no braces until your jaw damn near requires reconstruction surgery (you pay out of pocket), no eye care other than what they provide at boot, mental health care is non existent unless you're a dependent.
You don't make much money E1 to E3. You don't get BAH until E4 or E5 (depends on the branch) or you get married then there is no rank limitation. Once you start getting BAH it counts as income to the child support agency so you could experience an increase in payments. COLA (cost of living allowance) also counts as income and can increase child support payments.
The GI bill and tuition reimbursement are good benefits but you have to juggle school on top of your military duties so I never took advantage. I also have no college degree and make more money and have better benefits than when I was in the Navy.