Power of Attorney... or as all the Army says: POA. For those of you who have yet to take the journey down POA Lane there is not just one Power that will cover everything you need to do in your daily life, oh no! That would make life too easy for us Army Wives! There are DOZENs of different Powers of Attorney! During a deployment year you will need every single one, including the one that allows you to buy a boat in his name.
Why do we need so many? Why can't we just put everything in our name and transfer over later? Because the Government will give us discounts for him being in the Military (to compensate for the lack of pay) when it comes to buying a home, or registering a car... But the "Service Member" (the one in the Military) must be listed on the title or deed! There are numerous reasons why you would want both of your names on a home rental agreement or car loan; but in order to do so you must have a ... POA!!
I recommend to everyone that they get every possible Power of Attorney that exsists. A General covers very little... You need a Special POA for:
- Taxes (To file them in his name or if you file jointly, because you have to file taxes every year)
- To Register your Vehicle
- To get the JAG (in some states) form to get state tax exempt on your Vehicle.
- Your Bank or Credit Card might require something different
- To rent/buy a house
- To get a Military ID
- To get a loan in his name
If you have children you will also need to fill out a temporary POA to whomever is going to watch them should something happen to you.
Essentially, I would recommend getting every POA possible. It is better to have them and never use them than not have the one you need in a desperate situation.
**A reminder: Only the Soldier can fill out a Power of Attorney. Never the Spouse!**
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Deployments...
Oh, how I thought and hoped I would never have to think about this again... But I highly doubt any American can escape the reality of deployment. For those of us "married to the Military", any attempt to escape is futile. We are either on the brink of deployment, in the middle of deployment, or have just come home from deployment.
My personal experience is as a very young, frightened wife freshly married saying goodbye to my husband... then as a more mature wife, furious at the Army because they pulled our orders to move, saying goodbye again at 4am.
The homecomings are the happiest days of your life; topping everything else, including your wedding day. But is that day worth the worry, the fear, the separation? I have decided not ask myself this question. We cannot change the fact deployment occur on a yearly rotation, so we must accept, deal, and move on.
Every soldier, every spouse, and every family member is in my prayers nightly.
My personal experience is as a very young, frightened wife freshly married saying goodbye to my husband... then as a more mature wife, furious at the Army because they pulled our orders to move, saying goodbye again at 4am.
The homecomings are the happiest days of your life; topping everything else, including your wedding day. But is that day worth the worry, the fear, the separation? I have decided not ask myself this question. We cannot change the fact deployment occur on a yearly rotation, so we must accept, deal, and move on.
Every soldier, every spouse, and every family member is in my prayers nightly.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
When did photocoping IDs become so much drama?
For any wife who has been through a deployment they know how vital it is to have a Photocopy of your husband's Military ID on hand/ Departments of Motor Vehicles require the photocopy in every state I've ever been in. Your Doctor's Office makes a photocopy of your insurance card on your first visit. What are we to do? **Tricare did advise if you are worried about the repercussions of allowing the Doctor's Office or Hospital to photocopy your ID; advise them of the law, simply show them your ID, then advise them to call Tricare for your personal benefits.**
Title 18, US Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701
"Whoever manufactures, sells, or possesses any badge,
identification card, or other insignia, of the design prescribed by
the head of any department or agency of the United States for use
by any officer or employee thereof, or any colorable imitation
thereof, or photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes or
executes any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the
likeness of any such badge, identification card, or other insignia,
or any colorable imitation thereof, except as authorized under
regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title
or imprisoned not more than six months, or both."
Notice the second to last line, "except as authorized under regulations made pursuant to law" this would imply to me that we could continue to use copies for our personal use... but I have been told that I am wrong. We cannot.
I don't know the truth yet, but I am searching. And if it is true, we cannot make copies of our own Husband's Military IDs then I am starting a petition. I wonder if they did any panels or focus groups before making these Regulations. It seems to me that Spouses are the unheard majority of the Army and that must change. Everything we have been through, every deployment Our Voices Deserve to be Heard!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Pay Questions
A lot of wives ask about pay... when we get paid, how much will it be, etc. etc. I feel like I have said/typed this post a hundred times; but it is vital information! It is frightening not knowing about money... So here it is again!
About your pay questions:
1. It could take up to 30 days after your husband goes to Basic Training; but I know that is an issue the Army is working on to get the pay to family as soon as possible. Don't count on your pay until it is in your checking account.
2. You are paid on the 1st and the 15th. For the 1st you are paid for the second half of the previous month. In other words, you are paid for the work you have done, not the work you are about to do. (So if you are getting a raise for being in the Army for 4 years on June 19th, you will get a prorated amount in the July 1st pay.)
3. It is better to have a direct deposit program. Do you already have a bank? If he is going Active Duty I recommend USAA. It is a Bank/Insurance (Auto, Home, Renters, etc. etc.) that caters to the Military. It is FABULOUS!
- Make sure both names are on the account and you have Power of Attorney your bank requires.
4. Health Insurance: I am not sure exactly how it works with him going to Basic... You should be able get Tricare Prime if you live near a post/base and go on post/base for your Health Care. This is free with no deductibles. I personally prefer Tricare Standard where you go off post, but you do have Doctor co-pays with that (For Active Duty family members your deductible is $150 individual, $300 for family).
- Dental insurance, I go off post and it is $12.12 a month from our pay check. But we pay nothing extra when I go to the Dentist, not matter how many times a year I go and I always go off post. (Others have said they have paid deductibles for their dental; this shouldn't happen. When ever you recieve a bill call United Concordia and double check.)
5. They amount your Soldier will be paid can be found on this chart: http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/pay/bp/01_activeduty.html This is the most accurate you will find on the internet because it is actually released by the Military.
6. What is Deducted from your pay:
- Federal and State Taxes (We don't get out of paying those unless they are deployed)
- FICA Medicare and Social Security.
- SGLI/Army Life Insurance. We pay $27 a month for my husband's SGLI (Should something happen the Soldier, the Army has a $450,000 Life Insurance policy to every soldier)
- $5.50 for Family SGLI ($100,000 Life Insurance policy on the family member should something happen to the Family Member).
- We choose to deduct other amounts for our Roth IRA, Mutual Funds, and Savings accounts. These are to be set up by the soldier should he so choose.
7. You can view your Soldier's pay stub online through https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx He has to set you up to view it with your own separate Log On and Password. YOU MAY NOT USE HIS. It is actually against the UCMJ (Army Code of Law) to use his Log On and Passwords for any .mil websites.
Terms to know:
- BAH is a tax free allowance for housing if you live off post/base. You will not receive this should you live on post/base.
- BAS is another tax free allowance for Substance (Food)
- DEERs. This system allows you to have a dependent Military ID, access to the Commissary/PX, and access to Tricare Insurance. Your children will also be in this system. Every Military dependent (Wife/Husband/Child) is enrolled in DEERs.
FYI: We should be getting a 3.4% raise in January of 2010. New BAH/BAS rates have not been announced.
About your pay questions:
1. It could take up to 30 days after your husband goes to Basic Training; but I know that is an issue the Army is working on to get the pay to family as soon as possible. Don't count on your pay until it is in your checking account.
2. You are paid on the 1st and the 15th. For the 1st you are paid for the second half of the previous month. In other words, you are paid for the work you have done, not the work you are about to do. (So if you are getting a raise for being in the Army for 4 years on June 19th, you will get a prorated amount in the July 1st pay.)
3. It is better to have a direct deposit program. Do you already have a bank? If he is going Active Duty I recommend USAA. It is a Bank/Insurance (Auto, Home, Renters, etc. etc.) that caters to the Military. It is FABULOUS!
- Make sure both names are on the account and you have Power of Attorney your bank requires.
4. Health Insurance: I am not sure exactly how it works with him going to Basic... You should be able get Tricare Prime if you live near a post/base and go on post/base for your Health Care. This is free with no deductibles. I personally prefer Tricare Standard where you go off post, but you do have Doctor co-pays with that (For Active Duty family members your deductible is $150 individual, $300 for family).
- Dental insurance, I go off post and it is $12.12 a month from our pay check. But we pay nothing extra when I go to the Dentist, not matter how many times a year I go and I always go off post. (Others have said they have paid deductibles for their dental; this shouldn't happen. When ever you recieve a bill call United Concordia and double check.)
5. They amount your Soldier will be paid can be found on this chart: http://www.defenselink.mil
6. What is Deducted from your pay:
- Federal and State Taxes (We don't get out of paying those unless they are deployed)
- FICA Medicare and Social Security.
- SGLI/Army Life Insurance. We pay $27 a month for my husband's SGLI (Should something happen the Soldier, the Army has a $450,000 Life Insurance policy to every soldier)
- $5.50 for Family SGLI ($100,000 Life Insurance policy on the family member should something happen to the Family Member).
- We choose to deduct other amounts for our Roth IRA, Mutual Funds, and Savings accounts. These are to be set up by the soldier should he so choose.
7. You can view your Soldier's pay stub online through https://mypay.dfas.mil/myp
Terms to know:
- BAH is a tax free allowance for housing if you live off post/base. You will not receive this should you live on post/base.
- BAS is another tax free allowance for Substance (Food)
- DEERs. This system allows you to have a dependent Military ID, access to the Commissary/PX, and access to Tricare Insurance. Your children will also be in this system. Every Military dependent (Wife/Husband/Child) is enrolled in DEERs.
FYI: We should be getting a 3.4% raise in January of 2010. New BAH/BAS rates have not been announced.
Friday, August 21, 2009
PCS'ing... A daunting task!
So here is what I have learned from my recent PCS'ing experiences...
A door to door move is easiest. I recommend going a few weeks before your PCS date to locate a house. When your stuff is in storage is when theft and breaking tends to happen the most. The Army does give him 10 days free leave once you get to your new duty station to look for a house, but I prefer to have him home to hang all my decor and help with painting. Take advantage of any time that can be spent together, it will really help your marriage during deployments to have already had that quality time.
1. I recommend the Army moving you because it is so much easier than doing it yourself. They pack, load, and unload for you and you get to relax while they do all the work. Also the company is responsible if any thing breaks. Do-it-yourself moves you have potential to earn money, but it isn't enough to entice me to move our 9,000lbs of stuff ourselves.
2. Your Soldier will set up the dates the movers will come to your house through the Travel Office at his current post. Once he has orders that state a PCS move he will walk them over and go from there. My husband and I discussed what dates we wanted to pack, move, etc. before he went so he knew what dates to request.
3. Inventory everything and make them attach it to their packing list. For example the movers broke a pair of Gucci Sunglasses that they won't pay for because it wasn't listed on the inventory. I am making them inventory all of my purses, sunglasses, antiques, and furs in addition to our electronics. TAKE PHOTOS. We have an Italian Marble coffee table that does have a nick that I have thoroughly documented.
4. They will not pack and move:
- Candles
- Any liquids
- Any aerosol cans
- Perishables
- Any food what so ever
- Jewelry
5. Feed your movers! I am a bossy person. I also demand everything be done to my standards. So I make up for it by feeding them a decent meal. It can be pizza, sandwiches, or something easy like that. Remember to ask for food allergies. And have Soda and non-Soda drinks for them as well as deserts.
6. Clear out an obvious corner for what you are taking with you. Write in BIG BOLD letters: DO NOT PACK. Make sure wherever you hang out while they pack it is in your eye sight. The packers have been known to pack garbage. Be prepared.
What I recommend to bring:
- A skillet and pot with lids (You will have your food already with you)
- Your bathroom supplies (Including a shower curtain/rod for your next place)
- Textiles (bedsheets, towels, etc. etc.)
- Enough clothes to last two weeks, including a nice outfit to go out in when you get to your new duty station ahead of your things. Remember he isn't deployed. Enjoy every minute and get the most out of your down time.
7. Make them put EVERYTHING in boxes. The larger items can be mirror wrapped. Your couches and other furniture should be padded and shrink wrapped. Make them do that. Make them put ALL Screws in separate baggies and TAPE THEM to the piece of furniture.
8. Bring something for you to do while the workers work.
9. Unloading at your new home! What worked for my husband and I: He checked off boxes and items as they came off the truck and I stood/sat at then entrance (I was 7 weeks pregnant our last PCS) and pointed where I wanted everything. I also put post-it notes on each room labeling it; i.e. "Master Bed" "Guest Bed" "Office".
10. I do not recommend taking the TLE allowance up front. If you can afford to do so you should wait and get money at the end of the PCS. Most of the people who take the money up front seem to owe the Army back at the end of the move. You have to account for every penny used of the TLE. The DLA is yours no matter what. Take the DLA (I explain these more in depth in a different post).
11. Save all receipts for everything, hotels, gas, toilet paper, all food (including the twix bar at the gas station) to be reimbursed. My husband and I have the attitude that we take every single receipt for every little thing and have the Travel office tell us what we can and can't ask for. We were pleasantly surprised last PCS and have enough left over to buy me a Nikon DSLR.
A door to door move is easiest. I recommend going a few weeks before your PCS date to locate a house. When your stuff is in storage is when theft and breaking tends to happen the most. The Army does give him 10 days free leave once you get to your new duty station to look for a house, but I prefer to have him home to hang all my decor and help with painting. Take advantage of any time that can be spent together, it will really help your marriage during deployments to have already had that quality time.
1. I recommend the Army moving you because it is so much easier than doing it yourself. They pack, load, and unload for you and you get to relax while they do all the work. Also the company is responsible if any thing breaks. Do-it-yourself moves you have potential to earn money, but it isn't enough to entice me to move our 9,000lbs of stuff ourselves.
2. Your Soldier will set up the dates the movers will come to your house through the Travel Office at his current post. Once he has orders that state a PCS move he will walk them over and go from there. My husband and I discussed what dates we wanted to pack, move, etc. before he went so he knew what dates to request.
3. Inventory everything and make them attach it to their packing list. For example the movers broke a pair of Gucci Sunglasses that they won't pay for because it wasn't listed on the inventory. I am making them inventory all of my purses, sunglasses, antiques, and furs in addition to our electronics. TAKE PHOTOS. We have an Italian Marble coffee table that does have a nick that I have thoroughly documented.
4. They will not pack and move:
- Candles
- Any liquids
- Any aerosol cans
- Perishables
- Any food what so ever
- Jewelry
5. Feed your movers! I am a bossy person. I also demand everything be done to my standards. So I make up for it by feeding them a decent meal. It can be pizza, sandwiches, or something easy like that. Remember to ask for food allergies. And have Soda and non-Soda drinks for them as well as deserts.
6. Clear out an obvious corner for what you are taking with you. Write in BIG BOLD letters: DO NOT PACK. Make sure wherever you hang out while they pack it is in your eye sight. The packers have been known to pack garbage. Be prepared.
What I recommend to bring:
- A skillet and pot with lids (You will have your food already with you)
- Your bathroom supplies (Including a shower curtain/rod for your next place)
- Textiles (bedsheets, towels, etc. etc.)
- Enough clothes to last two weeks, including a nice outfit to go out in when you get to your new duty station ahead of your things. Remember he isn't deployed. Enjoy every minute and get the most out of your down time.
7. Make them put EVERYTHING in boxes. The larger items can be mirror wrapped. Your couches and other furniture should be padded and shrink wrapped. Make them do that. Make them put ALL Screws in separate baggies and TAPE THEM to the piece of furniture.
8. Bring something for you to do while the workers work.
9. Unloading at your new home! What worked for my husband and I: He checked off boxes and items as they came off the truck and I stood/sat at then entrance (I was 7 weeks pregnant our last PCS) and pointed where I wanted everything. I also put post-it notes on each room labeling it; i.e. "Master Bed" "Guest Bed" "Office".
10. I do not recommend taking the TLE allowance up front. If you can afford to do so you should wait and get money at the end of the PCS. Most of the people who take the money up front seem to owe the Army back at the end of the move. You have to account for every penny used of the TLE. The DLA is yours no matter what. Take the DLA (I explain these more in depth in a different post).
11. Save all receipts for everything, hotels, gas, toilet paper, all food (including the twix bar at the gas station) to be reimbursed. My husband and I have the attitude that we take every single receipt for every little thing and have the Travel office tell us what we can and can't ask for. We were pleasantly surprised last PCS and have enough left over to buy me a Nikon DSLR.
Pregnancy and PCSing is Super Fun
This past March Dennis and I had some wonderful news: Not only were we finally PCSing to Fort Jackson the Career Course (something that we had planned on doing two years ago before the 2nd tour in Iraq) we also found out that I was expecting our first child! So exciting for my husband and I!
Two weeks after the positive blood test (I never fully trust at home pregnancy tests) we PCS'd to Fort Jackson. I also discovered that I am most definitely one of those women who suffers from morning sickness. Though the move as smoothly as a move can go (With our apartment complex giving us the much smaller floorplan than I requested, bait and switch anyone?, half our things not in boxes because I was too busy being sick to supervise properly, and our dresser being dropped from the truck onto the pavement) finding an OBGYN in Columbia, South Carolina has been far more difficult that I could have ever imagined.
As of August 21, 2009 I am 26 weeks along in my pregnancy and on my 3rd OB... and still not happy; but they will do for now because at the end of October, when I will be 36 weeks, we will be PCSing again to Chicago, Illinois. (Don't worry, I already have a Physician and a Hospital set up for the rest of my pregnancy and delivery in Chicago.)
The first Doctor's Office, I never met the Doctor. I went in for my first appointment to get all the major blood draws and tests done. I, of course, informed the nurse several times about my latex allergy and she still used latex gloves while doing my blood draw. Oh, and her inch long fingernail broke the end of the glove as well. The next Doctor's Office I never met the Doctor again; instead seeing a Physicians Assistant. The Office was poorly run and unorganized... so after they gave me difficulty about scheduling my 20 week ultrasound at a time my husband can come; I changed yet again. Third time is not the charm, though I am finally seeing a Physician. His Office Manager and staff are completely incompetent when it comes to Tricare Standard, but Tricare is wonderful when handling false claims and fixing everything for you. FYI: Don't ever let a Physician's Office tell you they cannot get you your medical records. They are required by Federal Law to give them to you.
Yes, I am a difficult patient. I expect professional and polite behavior from everyone... I expect my allergies and conditions to be taken into consideration at every step of my pregnancy. But, I have yet to find that in Columbia. Hopefully Chicago will be different! Great thing about the Army, if you don't like a place, don't worry. You will be somewhere else soon!
Oh, and We are having a BOY!!!
My family!
I am an Army brat of an Army brat. For those of you unfamiliar with the phrase "Army brat" it is a term to refer to children of Soldiers and the term "brat" is used in a loving manner.
Though many members of my family have served in the various branches of the Military, the most influential in my life have been my father and my grandfather. My father served for 18 years in the Army and my grandfather served for 4 years in the Navy during WW2 and for 30 in the Army. My husband has been in for 6 years (and counting) and we have been together for 5 years. Dennis and I have been through two Iraq deployments (those were fun), my father was in the Gulf 'Conflict' and did a tour in Haiti, and my Grandfather fought in World War 2 as well as serving during Korea and Vietnam.
Something I am oddly proud of is though my husband, my father, and my grandfather are/were all Officers, not a one went a Military Academy. They all have done ROTC at various Colleges and still succeed in the Army on their own merit. For those of you who think I am judging and condescending West Pointers, know that I am not.
As you can tell I am very proud of what my family has accomplished and I feel it has helped mold me into the woman I am today...
Though many members of my family have served in the various branches of the Military, the most influential in my life have been my father and my grandfather. My father served for 18 years in the Army and my grandfather served for 4 years in the Navy during WW2 and for 30 in the Army. My husband has been in for 6 years (and counting) and we have been together for 5 years. Dennis and I have been through two Iraq deployments (those were fun), my father was in the Gulf 'Conflict' and did a tour in Haiti, and my Grandfather fought in World War 2 as well as serving during Korea and Vietnam.
Something I am oddly proud of is though my husband, my father, and my grandfather are/were all Officers, not a one went a Military Academy. They all have done ROTC at various Colleges and still succeed in the Army on their own merit. For those of you who think I am judging and condescending West Pointers, know that I am not.
As you can tell I am very proud of what my family has accomplished and I feel it has helped mold me into the woman I am today...
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