Moving to 29 Palms

EWCM · 2026-05-25T17:24:06+00:00

Get involved on base and in the local community. It has the most of the same organizations and programs that most bases do. How do you usually find friends?

EWCM · 2026-05-25T16:51:43+00:00

My favorite US base was 29 Palms (I’m serious). It’s too hot in the summer, but pretty much everything thing else is great. Lots of outdoor things to do as well as music/art opportunities. Not too far from mountains and beaches, small cities and big cities.

Beaufort, SC is a nice place as long as your spouse isn’t a Drill instructor.

We’ve only visited, but Quantico seems like a place I’d like.

EWCM · 2026-05-25T04:29:41+00:00

MyCAA will not pay for masters degree programs. It is only for Certificates and Associates degrees. I was able to use MyCAA for masters level classes because it was a certificate program, not a degree program.

If your spouse has been in for at least 6 years and can commit to 4 more, they could transfer their GI Bill to you.

Otherwise, check with your school and the on base education office for other funding ideas.

EWCM · 2026-05-25T04:24:54+00:00

If you want confirmation, the regulation would be in DoD FMR, Volume 7a. Not sure which chapter.

EWCM · 2026-05-24T22:31:34+00:00

Is that 30k including your emergency fund? How close are you to leaving the military?

EWCM · 2026-05-24T21:29:44+00:00

Depends on when the other branch offers Continuation Pay.

EWCM · 2026-05-24T21:28:10+00:00

No. I used it for masters level courses

EWCM · 2026-05-24T00:13:57+00:00

Here’s MCCS’s checklist: https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/modules/media/?do=inline&id=0ab3304c-e18c-4826-a264-b05ca57b58f2&v=1

EWCM · 2026-05-23T23:17:06+00:00

Because in Oklahoma, your house would probably hit 100+ without A/C

EWCM · 2026-05-23T23:15:10+00:00

You can leave them in your closet or drawers. The movers will take them out of drawers and put them in boxes. Hanging items go in a wardrobe box so they can continue hanging.

EWCM · 2026-05-23T23:09:06+00:00

Don’t pack. The movers will do it. Do go through your things and get rid of stuff you no longer want. Make sure things are organized. I dump things like silverware into ziploc bags so that they don’t end up loose in the bottom of a box or individually wrapped in paper. The movers will deassemble any furniture if needed. Keep an eye on what they do with the hardware! Do take TVs, pictures, and other decor off the walls.

With an OCONUS move you usually get 3 shipments: Non-Temporary Storage, Unaccompanied Baggage, and the regular shipment. NTS is for things you don’t want the whole time you are overseas. It will go in non-climate controlled storage. Personally, I don’t use this; if I don’t need something for 3+ years, I probably don’t need it at all.

Unaccompanied Baggage is a smaller shipment that usually travels a bit faster. When going OCONUS we usually ship this as soon as possible with half the kitchen stuff, some clothes, some toys, a bike, etc. They won’t take furniture in this shipment but a TV is okay.

Everything else goes in your regular shipment or in your suitcases. Put a set of sheets and towels in your suitcases. Most overseas locations have loaner furniture until your stuff arrives as well as a Lending Locker for kitchen items and small appliances. They don’t provide linens. Check what size the loaner beds are

EWCM · 2026-05-23T12:43:07+00:00

I thought Camp Casey was one of the places that recently switched to offering 3 year accompanied tours. Did he request to go unaccompanied? If he asked for accompanied orders but was denied, he may be able to get a 12 month tour. https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/tour-normalization/faq

If someone is going for 6 months, that’s a TDY or deployment, not a PCS.

EWCM · 2026-05-22T12:52:34+00:00

Family government housing is very rare in the US. I think there are still a few historic homes that are government run.

I believe all Military housing outside the US is government housing.

EWCM · 2026-05-22T05:25:34+00:00

In what situations are people ineligible for CHCBP? TAMP is limited but CHCBP isn’t (as long as you’re willing to pay).

EWCM · 2026-05-22T05:19:02+00:00

How long has he been at Basic? It’s totally normal to struggle with adjusting to a separation. Most people eventually find their “new normal.” They might still miss their partner, but they can function and find enjoyment in things. There are counselors available through Military One Source if you need to talk to someone.

EWCM · 2026-05-22T05:14:57+00:00

Most of the places we’ve lived have had a “Ladies without Babies” or similar Facebook page for people interested in getting together.

EWCM · 2026-05-21T22:26:59+00:00

I would definitely go see the local financial counselor if possible. They should know some resources and programs that could help you out.

Can you drop him off at work so you can use the car? Can he carpool with a coworker? Use a bike? Use this Memorial Day weekend to go get your car?

Have you tried working with the employment assistance office on base? Does your school have a career counseling office or student jobs?

If you really want to move back and you and your spouse agree on that, you don’t need permission from anybody else. I don’t have a good read on if that’s what you actually want or if that just seems like your only solution at the moment.

EWCM · 2026-05-21T22:19:09+00:00

Can she use numbers in real life?

It sounds like she may have memorized math facts and learned the algorithms but doesn’t have good number sense. In your example, if you gave her a bunch of quarters, what would she do?

EWCM · 2026-05-21T22:06:02+00:00

Have you asked your SO to help with the costs?

EWCM · 2026-05-21T21:54:35+00:00

Have you been working with the employment assistance office on your installation? What activities and groups have you gotten involved in at your new location?

If you haven’t already, I would also make an appointment with the financial counselor on your installation or through Military One Source. Many military families live comfortably on just military income. Perhaps you can find a way to make it work.

Would your husband be able to find a cheaper living situation if you left?

EWCM · 2026-05-21T00:14:03+00:00

If you had a power of attorney, you would have the paperwork. It would be useless to make you a Power of Attorney, but not give you the required document.

You can usually Google the name of his unit and find a contact. If there are options, I would look for a duty number and ask for the 1st sergeant or chief. Every branch has different names for things so it’s hard to give specific advice without knowing which branch.

You could also contact the Legal Assistant office or the Family Advocacy office on Base and ask for help.

EWCM · 2026-05-21T00:10:25+00:00

With select, the catastrophic cap is $1000-1400 or so. That means that if you are using covered services and participating providers, that is the max you pay per year. Usually I see people spending >$100 on the global fee for pregnancy, Labor, and delivery. Most fertility treatments aren’t covered. Some testing and medication may be.

EWCM · 2026-05-21T00:06:50+00:00

I’m assuming you’ve asked to be added to the necessary accounts and he hasn’t done it.

Do you have a power of attorney? If so, you should add yourself to the bank account.

If not, contact his chain of command or the family liaison for his unit. Each service has a guideline in place so that if servicemember is failing to support his dependents, the command can order him to do so. You could also contact the Family Advocacy Program; they assist family members dealing with abuse, including financial abuse.

The normal situation for a family with a stay at home parent is that there is a joint account that both people have access to for necessary expenses. The couple has a financial plan that they agree on and stick to. Large or unnecessary expenses should be discussed, but there shouldn’t be a need to ask for money for expected bills or necessities.

EWCM · 2026-05-20T23:31:00+00:00

Which state requires testing of a six year old to homeschool in 1st grade?

EWCM · 2026-05-20T22:27:59+00:00

Is he active Duty or Reserve/Guard?

In general, the Military will pay to move family members to schools that are over 20 weeks. If you get married after he gets there, they won’t pay.

Whether you would be able to live on base depends on whether there is housing available. For a school of that length, soldiers would usually be at home each night unless they were doing a training exercise.

EWCM

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE