What's the difference between being an army girlfriend and an army wife?

Question

My boyfriend just enlisted in the army -- he's 28 and I'm 25. We've been together for over 2 years and have talked about marriage, moving in, etc. I fully support him joining and know it will be a lot of work. We don't want to rush into anything, but want to know what to expect as a girlfriend vs if we were married.

Answer 1

A wedding Ring

Answer 2

everyone else is right about the girlfriend part.....u have no rights unless u are married. I'd also like to add that depending on his rank he will most likely have to live in the barracks and you would have to live off post and pay for it on your own. Don't rush into anything but I have been an Army girlfriend and I thought it sucked. Thank God I am a wife now.

Answer 3

You are taken more seriously as a wife

You are authorized on post housing as a married couple

You will receive benefits a girlfriend can't as his wife

He will receive more money if he has a dependent (child or spouse)

If he deploys and something happens to you and you are his wife they will let him come home, girlfriends don't get that lucky

Get married for the love not for the perks.  Good Luck

Answer 4

YOU GET NO BENEFITS AT ALL.

WHEN HE GETS A DUTY STATION PERHAPS FAR FROM YOU YOU CANT LIVE WITH HIM OR SEE HIM.

IF YOU ARE MARRIED YOU CAN BE WITH HIM AND THE ARMY WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE HOME TO LIVE IN AND PAY THE BILLS IF YOU LIVE ON POST.

IF YOU LIVE OFF POST THEN YOU GET A HOUSING ALLOWANCE BASED ON THE AREA.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Answer 5

Well, their are really only two differences: the wedding ring and lifelong commitment, and new things popping in his or your behavior in front of each other. New stuff may pop out or things that weren't previously known may be known, which can be good or bad (like simple things to like he leaves the toilet seat up or big things like finding out he was cheating on you). Of course, don't make any assumptions what so ever that he is doing any of this, just be prepared. It becomes a more intimate relationship but you have to really love each other and vow commitment for life. Make sure both of you are ready for it and really love each other, and before you know it you'll be tying the knot. Good luck.

Also, you've got to be engaged before you are married. Remember to take baby steps and make sure you won't regret your choice.

P.S. This applies in any relationship. There are of course financial and legal benefits for married couples and military wifes, but don't try to focus on solely that when getting married.

Answer 6

to the army, you don't exist. at all.

Answer 7

As a girlfriend, you have no rights to any information about him. As far as the military is concerned, you do not exist. You will not be notified if he is injured or killed, you have no access to the base, you have no access to healthcare benefits, etc... As a wife, you can recieve healthcare, housing benfefits, you will bc notified in case of emergency, you will have a military ID and access to the base, etc... Either way it's stressful, but I prefer being the wife. At least I have rights and benefits for all the c**p I go through. Haha

Answer 8

the most obvious thing is the benefits, you won't get them. you'll have to stop by the visitor center every time you go on post to visit him. when he deploys you will not be given any information related to his job, where he is [unless he tells you] and worst of all if something happens to him then you won't be the first person they contact, actually the army won't even contact you at all because to them you don't even exsist. usually the soldier has to live in the barracks until he reaches a certain rank so you guys won't be able to live together, you'll have to get your own place close by. he could be stationed anywhere at any time so when he moves, since you guys aren't married the army will not pay to move you.

i just think life is harder as an army girlfriend because you're viewed as nothing/your relationship is not recognized by the army. it makes deployments very difficult. but if you are willing to wait and don't want to rush, you're a brave woman because most of us give in and as soon as we hear "we can't live together" haha.

Answer 9

With you being a girlfriend you wont' be able to live onpost or have any use of the PX or Commissary.  You also will not have any medical benefits.  You will not have any right to any information about him as far as pay (wives have a hard time with that too HEHE)

You will be able to be part of the FRG in the company.  

Answer 10

honestly,,,a girlfriend means NOTHING to the army and technically you do not exist.  married you have benefits and other things available to you.  this is the same across the board no matter what branch.  if you are not married or do not have proof of marriage,,,you will not exist to the military

Answer 11

The benefits! Just kidding.

But seriously, you will receive some seriously great health care. His pay will be increased and you will be eligible for military housing.

Look, a lot of military men play around, especially if they don't have a marital commitment to hold them accountable. If you're putting in the hard work (and being truly committed to a soldier is just that) you should be honored with a commitment.

You can obviously handle the frequent separations and that's teh most important part.

Answer 12

well if your just his girlfriend, then you wont be getting benefits, he wont be getting housing money and will be living in the barracks. Also wherever he gets stationed at - you can move there and you will be paying for it out of your own pocket.

If your married to him - you will get medical, dental for like ten bucks a month, BAH ( housing money ) BAS ( food money) ... plus they will pay for you to move where he is stationed ( unless its korea ) and you will be able to do things and get answers... usually if your a military GF its not that great of a situation because you wont get the same respect as a wife  - if ya have any more questions email me [e-mail]