Why can't married people with a spouse in the military join a different branch?

Question

So I went to the Air Force recruiter yesterday to check things out, but he told me I was disqualified because my husband was in the Marine Corps. I know it would be hard to get stationed near each other. But he plans on getting out of the Marines and possibly going into the Army, and I know there are a few places where we could be stationed near each other. And we also have a son, so that also made a problem. I just don't get how they can tell you, you can't join.

Answer 1

that a load of recruiter lie you should know better theyre lot of people married in different branches

Answer 2

It's not the branch.  It's because you have a child.  If your husband is Active and you have a child, you cannot enlist.  You can join the reserves but you cannot be Active Duty.

The only time both poeple can be active and have a child is if they both enlisted before the child was born.

Been there, tried that.  Denied by the AF  for the same reason.

Answer 3

That recruiter is correct...  As per AFRSI 36-2001  Table 4.2. Rule 2.

"is married to a military spouse and has physical or legal custody of family members under age 18 or incapable of self-care."

This condition makes you ineligible for enlistment and a waiver is not authorized.

I don't agree with the regulation but what can you do?  Sorry

Additional Information:    For those who are answering this question....  Just because you are a spouse/dependent in the military or even if you are a military member yourself, that doesn't make you an expert on the regulations.   I have given you the regulation - Here is the web address that you can see for yourself what it says.  Again, I don't make the rules or sometimes, don't even agree with them but what can I do about it?

http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/o...

If you want the Army or Navy Regs, I have those too.  Each branch of the Military service will have variations.

Answer 4

ok I know for a fact that isn't true.  Because we have family friends that we've known forever. The husband is army, the wife is airforce. The had 3 children too, so as long as you have a way for your children to be taken care of if deployment orders come down at the same time, your ok. The only thing is their duty stations have to be no more than 50 miles apart. You need to go talk to a different recruiter who actually knows what they are talking about.  I've been military since the day I was born, and married a soldier.  Don't stress about it, because it is very possible to join with someone else already in the service.

Answer 5

You can join any branch that you want to join.

Answer 6

Maybe he went that you would not be able to be stationed together. Join the Army with your husband. It will make your life a lot easier.

Answer 7

You can't join now, and it sucks.  You could have joined before getting married and having kids, but not now.

Answer 8

I know lots of people who are in different branches, married. I don't know if they just got married without telling their branch or exactly what they did--but it's possible. The other thing you can do is just wait until your husband joins the army and try again or talk to another recruiter. Of course, the fact you were talking to the air force makes a difference. Air force is not taking as many people right now, as say, the army is. You could probably get in the army no problem anyways. Every branch is different.