These are the FAQS

WIC OVERSEAS?
What is EFMP?
What are PCS/PCA Orders?
What is the difference between an Accompanied and Unaccompanied tours?
What is the Clothing Maintenance Allowance?
What is a Pump?
What do I need to know before we move?
My husband received orders and it said that a "POV" is not authorized. What is a "POV" and is it not authorized?
Why can't I take all of my household goods to Okinawa?
What is Semper FI?
What is a DITY move?

Do all dependants have to be enrolled in DEERS?
Do I have to use the military medical facilities?
What is a 96/72?
What is Space Available Travel?
What is Special Pay?
Do all active duty members get Selective Re-enlistment Bonus?
Can an enlisted's wife be friends with an officer's wife?
Why can't the military ship my POV to our next duty station?
I need more info on military pay.
Honey, I bounced a check!

WIC OVERSEAS? WIC OVERSEAS is slowly but surely will be in all overseas station where accompanied tour is allowed. It is advised that if you are enrolled in WIC stateside that you get your WIC transfer from the WIC office you are currently enrolled with.

What is EFMP? Exceptional Family Member Program. When a family member or dependant requires special medical attention. Enrollment into this program is mandatory. Go to EFMP?for more official information.

What are PCS/PCA Orders?
These acronyms stand for (PCS) Permanent Change of Station, PCA (Permanent Change of Assignment,(Same Station)).

What is the difference between an Accompanied and Unaccompanied tours?
An Accompanied Tour is when the Marine receives orders and his dependants are included in the orders. An Unaccompanied Tour is considered Dependant restricted (orders without authorization for dependants travel).

What is the Clothing Maintenance Allowance
That is the annual allowance given to the (Enlisted) Marine to update his uniforms. This is given on the anniversary date of his enlistment.

What is a Pump?
The term "Pump" is slang for a shipboard deployment or a six month deployment overseas. The Marine receives orders to one of the two and dependants stay at the original duty station. A Pump will normally last six months and can be extended due to the needs of the military.

What do I need to know before we move?
More than I can explain on this page. I have dedicated a whole page for this topic (see link below "we're moving?") The official SITES will also help you tremendously.

My husband received orders and it said that a "POV" is not authorized. What is "POV" and why is it not authorized?
"POV" stands for Privately Owned Vehicle. There are places (overseas) that the military is assigned where they do not allow POVs. The reason is, American made (American specs) cars are not specifically designed to be on the host nations roads.

Why can't I take all of my household goods to Okinawa ?
Okinawa is just one of the overseas tours that you may encounter during your husbands Marine corps service. This is one assignment where the amount of your household goods that may be shipped is limited. Limited means that the military will only pay for a certain weight allowance that is transported to your destination. You may also be limited in what items you are are authorized to ship. Fret not, in these situations the housing office at your destination will provide you with the necessary home furnishings (furniture/appliances) you need. The limitation on weight allowance will be detailed in his orders.

What is Semper Fi?
"Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) has been the official Marine Corps motto since 1880. It simply means that every Marine is "true-always faithful-to his God, Country and Corps." Yes I know it doesn't mention "family or wife" but as you know, this is what we all have to accept.

What is a DITY move?

Do-It-Yourself Move. When you decide to move your household goods yourself to the new duty station. Some people like to do it this way. Through my own personal experience, it was not nearly as profitable as I was led to beleive and it was an awful lot of work. In the future we will let the government transport our household effects to the next duty station!

Do all dependants have to be enrolled in DEERS?
Defense Enrollment Eligibility reporting System (DEERS) is automatic for active duty. All dependants must be enrolled. You do not have to enroll into DEERS but be advised that you will not be given routine or emergency medical care. You can not get an ID card without being enrolled in DEERS. Newborn babies have 4 days after birth to be enrolled and 14 days if born in a civilian hospital.

Do I have to use the military medical facilities?
#1 ... While TRICARE Prime is the only option that requries enrollment, family members enrolled in DEERs but not PRIME are automatically in TRICARE Standard. In other words .. if you are a military family member and with an ID card .. you are in a TRICARE program. #2 ... TRICARE Standard allows the most freedom and flexiblity (and highest costs) ... However, when it comes to Maternity care and hospitalization .... all TRICARE beneficiaries are required to check with the closest military medical facility to see if that care is available .. if it isn't .. then that facility will issue a Non-Availability Statement (NAS) ..that basically gives 'permission' for the care to be provided at a civilian hospital .. without the NAS the patient pays the whole bill.

What is a 96/72?
These are liberty passes granted by the CO. the numbers mean the hours of liberty 96 equals 4 days and 72 equals 3 days. Leave time is not used up. Contrary to popular belief, they do not have to constitute a weekend.

What is Space Available Travel?
Space Available Travel is utilizing government flights to get from one destination to another by active members and their families. Family members may only take advantage of this, for flights outside of Continental United States. Be advised that all active duty members with official military papers have priority. The chances of getting "bumped off" a flight is great. Make sure that you have funds to make alternate plans with commercial flight. While it is cost-effective, it requires patience.

What is Special Pay?
Special Pay or Incentive Pay is paid to active members who are in special categories in the military ie: force recon, SEALS, or as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, ie: imminent danger pay, hardship duty stations. For more information, go to DFAS.

Do all active duty members get Selective Re-enlistment Bonus?
No, not all. It is only granted in certain MOSs with re-enlistment. You can only receive SRB once in your career in one MOS.

Can an enlisted's wife be friends with an officer's wife?
Sure they can be friends. Remember that you are a civilian and so is she.

Why can't the military ship my POV to our next duty station?
The military will only ship POVs if the the destination is outside Continental United States. You will have to make arrangements for your POV to get to the next duty station.

I need more info on military pay.
Go to DFAS. Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Kansas.

Honey, I bounced a check!"
This was one subject that I wanted to dedicate a whole page to, but due to the massive information that I have, I have decided to just answer the question here as plain and simple as I possibly can. Just DON'T DO IT! It's simple as that. Unfortunately, we all make mistakes and sometimes it is bound to happen. Will your husband get in trouble for it? Depends, if it is a repeated offense, yes. If it's just a one time thing, probably not. I went to the finance office at MWR here in Pendleton and they gave me the low-down on this. As soon as you get the notice in the mail that you have NSF in your account, they give you so many days (I think 7 working days) to resolve the problem. Fix it right away. Your sponsor's social security number and yours will be put on hold until the problem is fixed. If you don't fix it, then a CO letter gets sent out. Your husband will be directed to fix the problem and that does not make for a good day. If it doesn't get fixed after that, then you go on the bad-check list. I can't even begin to get into the worst thing that can happen if you don't resolve it. If you want to know more, please e-mail me and I will tell you. Yes, ultimately, your spouse will suffer for it.

"Semper Gumby" is an e-mail discussion group I have created to further assist you. It is exclusively for information and support for Marine spouses, and mothers of Marines. It will answer your military related issues and concerns. Please click on the image to find out more.

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Links to the rest of my site

We're moving?
List Of Base Resources
Pre-Deployment Preparations
While He's gone
Homecoming Preparations
New to the Military?
L.I.N.K.S.
Key Volunteer
Transition Out
Official Marine Corps Sites