Relocating with family questions (AF nurses)

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Ok, so we call Keesler Housing and were informed that we cannot be setup in base housing until after he completes COT. We can get a short term lease until then.

WELL,

That's dumb, because then we have to move twice, not to mention I can just stay here and work because we definitely need the money and it will cover any lapse of insurance for me and the kids. So here's the questions that I have:

Did your families move with you? If not, how was it coordinated?

Also, will he be given days between COT and NTP to look for housing or will that be left up to me? We have family within 30 minutes of the area that my daughter and I can stay with once we move, before we set up housing, but I don't want to impose on her any longer than need be, especially with a 9 month old.

TIA! As I think of others, I'll add them.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

The NTP folks were not given days off to house hunt like those of us who came in qualified and assigned to a unit. I personally think that you should stay where you are until he finished COT and gets ready to go to NTP. He needs to make reservations at your new base for temp housing with family. You will pay for it up front, but get reimbursed for 10 days later. Then you can do the footwork of finding a place to live and be near him as he starts the program. Start researching homes/apartments where you are going online. Also, a site that might help: http://www.afcrossroads.com/

Be aware that his pay most likely is not going to be right and you need to have some cash available to live on. I did COT in May and my pay is still wrong and I'm way underpaid.

Get the address for COT and send him lots of notes and food packages early! We loved getting yum from home. I didn't think I would need the support and didn't give anyone my address - big mistake!

Good luck with your new move.

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Since I won't be working we were told that I could move with him to wherever he is for NTP. Is this true?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

One reason that he has to wait until after COT to sign up for housing is there is always a slight chance that his orders could change. This is the same in all services but from what I understand only rarely does it happen.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Since I won't be working we were told that I could move with him to wherever he is for NTP. Is this true?

I was under the impression that NTP was a TDY which wouldn't qualify you to move with him. You could still go with him, but it would be you paying for it not the government.

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The NTP folks were not given days off to house hunt like those of us who came in qualified and assigned to a unit. I personally think that you should stay where you are until he finished COT and gets ready to go to NTP. He needs to make reservations at your new base for temp housing with family. You will pay for it up front, but get reimbursed for 10 days later. Then you can do the footwork of finding a place to live and be near him as he starts the program. Start researching homes/apartments where you are going online. Also, a site that might help: http://www.afcrossroads.com/

Be aware that his pay most likely is not going to be right and you need to have some cash available to live on. I did COT in May and my pay is still wrong and I'm way underpaid.

Get the address for COT and send him lots of notes and food packages early! We loved getting yum from home. I didn't think I would need the support and didn't give anyone my address - big mistake!

Good luck with your new move.

NTP people are not given house hunting days because they are not (technically) authorized anything other than government quarters while they're in NTP, as NTP is considered a TDY assignment and they are not considered to be permanently stationed on that base, even if that's where they're going to be assigned. What this means is (and this doesn't apply to the OP) anyone who does not have dependents will NOT draw BAH until they graduate NTP.

If a TDY is greater than 45 days, families are allowed to move with the member to the TDY location - this means COT qualifies for this - but you will be staying in billeting while he's there (or a hotel, whichever's available); and since he has dependents he WILL eventually draw BAH.

Once they graduate NTP and check into their permanent squadron and are considered permanent party, eight house hunting days are granted by AIR FORCE and DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE REGULATION (and I'm capitalizing this because I've been hearing folks claiming this isn't the case; I have the regs saved to my desktop at work and have read it in black and white myself - it's covered in a leave reg and a PCS reg).

When he gets to COT - he has to hound finance every free chance he gets to ensure as much is corrected before he leaves as possible. I was one of the few people there who drew somewhat correct monthly pay (as in, I was drawing a full paycheck even if it wasn't correct) AND the correct BAH/BAS. A lot of people weren't so lucky and didn't hound finance and essentially got nothing. They didn't even want to list my husband in DEERS - "oh, they'll do that at your first base" - uhm, no, they won't, you'll do it now, you're doing it for the BOT people and my husband is no less important than their dependents (not what I said exactly, but they got the idea). My point was he was entitled to medical care and if he needed it I wanted to be sure he got it. The buzz word for this is "he/she has a medical appointment". They can't argue with that and they can't check it either.

I'm seriously considering a letter to the AETC IG on these matters, because it's disgusting that the AF expects grown adults with mortgages, children, and real bills to put up with incorrect and menial pay and crappy treatment by the personnelists on the OTS campus when we're supposed to be commissioned officers.

Sorry - this is a big soapbox for me; I find the entire fiasco inexcusable. EVERY COT class complains about it - just like we're told to - and yet nothing changes.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
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I'm seriously considering a letter to the AETC IG on these matters, because it's disgusting that the AF expects grown adults with mortgages, children, and real bills to put up with incorrect and menial pay and crappy treatment by the personnelists on the OTS campus when we're supposed to be commissioned officers.

You won't be the 1st or the last. This crap with pay has been going on since before my time, and it is shame that continues.

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You won't be the 1st or the last. This crap with pay has been going on since before my time, and it is shame that continues.

I know. I don't understand it (and I know no one else does either).

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Well now looking at our financial state, it will make more sense for us to leave with him. Because if we stay, our daughter will need to go to daycare full time for that month. Not to mention rent, lights, and all the other incrementals we will have. The only thing that I am afraid of is insurance lapse. The kids are currently on my insurance and my stepson has eyedrops that he must use daily for glaucoma. The way it's looking I may be able to fit in one more visit prior to us leaving, and do I just pray no one gets sick between the time it takes to add us to his?

Thanks for the information about relocating with him. I really hate that his COT date is so late in the year, because he is going to miss alot of our daughter's first if we are in MS with his NTP being in Vegas. I have a few other questions, but I will get to them this afternoon.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Even if your son is not added right away a claim can be refiled with Tricare once you are enrolled in DEERS.

As far as rent, lights etc. you will have it when you are with your husband unless you are on base housing. Remember your husband will be getting BAH while he is in COT & NTP

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Mid-

What were you told would be the time frame that you would receive your sign-on bonus since you are now done with COT? Or have you already?

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I haven't gotten my bonus yet. I was told by others who have gotten it that it just appears in your account one day. I'm looking forward to that. My pay is still messed up. I'm getting much less than I am supposed to get. I know that it will eventually get to me and I've seen a whole movie while sitting waiting in the finance office (truthfully!!). So I highly recommend saving some money to float you through this process. I luckily did expect it.

Also... a nice little tidbit is about USAA bank. They are awsome. The rates for insurance are lower ($136 from Allstate, now $86). I rolled my IRA over to them hassle free. And they have a signature loan for newly commissioned officers for up to $25,000 for 5 years at only 4.9% interest which make the payment about $475/mo. It is a great way to consolidate higher interest loans or buy a new car.

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