Questions about the Navy.

[ajoiner]

I am engaged and about to be married, hopefully, before I join the Navy. Now, I know that if I am married, my wife will receive benefits like health care and dental.

The question I have is about housing. From what I understand and have been told, a member of the military can live in on-base housing. Or, if they prefer, they can choose to live off-base and receive a 'housing allowance'. [Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.]

How much is the housing allowance, if any? Can anyone give me their personal opinions/preferences on which is better?

[skf_atc]

I believe it depends on the location. I'm currently engaged, but my fiance is also active duty. I know that some bases do not have on base housing. NAS Kingsville for example doesn't have off base housing.

Being an inexperiencd sailor I'd have to refer you to pingjockey or RogueNavy since they're both a quite bit more experienced then me.

[armysc_25b]

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) depends on three things: your grade, duty location, and whether or not you have dependents. The rates are the same for all services, so you can look at this website (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html) to check the current rates. As an E-4 with no dependents, at my duty location I draw $767 a month for BAH.

Not too sure on the Navy's housing situation, but I know for the Army many installations that have housing either have a waiting list or the units available aren't all that great. All this will depend on your location obviously. For me, it was a fight to get out of the barracks since they were in really bad shape, and on-post housing wasn't an option since I'm single.

My personal advice is when you do find a home, don't get someplace with a $900 a month rent when your BAH is $935 (for example). Use the BAH to help with living costs, and even though you aren't living in the biggest or nicest house in town, you'll know you aren't living outside your means.

[ajoiner]

@ Armysc_25b: Thanks. The website was extremely helpful. It is very much appreciated.

My next questions is: I have a friend that cannot work. She is legally deaf and nearly blind. She doesn't want to live with her parents anymore because of her views on religion and theirs conflict. If I chose to live on base, would I be allowed to have someone who isn't legally a dependent live with me and my future wife?

[Billyd]

Generally speaking, no. Base housing is for the service member and his/her dependents only.

Here is a link to the AF Housing Instruction. While specifically Air Force, it should give you an idea as to what to expect.

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/IC-3%20TO%20AFI32-6001.pdf

[CAPSmith]

My personal advice is when you do find a home, don't get someplace with a $900 a month rent when your BAH is $935 (for example). Use the BAH to help with living costs, and even though you aren't living in the biggest or nicest house in town, you'll know you aren't living outside your means.

This is a great piece of advice. When my wife first enlisted in the Air Force she was assigned to Langley Air Force Base in VA. The BAH with dependent at the time was 700 something a month. We were able to find a nice apartment in a decent location to the base for $500/mo. Our electric bill was about $40 a month and cable/internet another $60. That was it, so the BAH covered the rent and utilities and we had a little over $100 extra to spend on whatever we chose.

When she commissions shortly the BAH rates in the areas she'll be going are significantly more (because she'll be an officer) - which make buying an actual home more realistic.

Even though I'm a dependent, I've seen a lot of junior enlisted folks get into serious monetary issues because they "over-buy" on their housing. They get a $1,200/mo apartment on $600 BAH and take the rest out of their base pay. Then they get a new car, eat out every night, etc. Not a smart move.

Oh, also another bit of advice. No matter how much of a raw deal it sounds, pay into the GI bill program. Even if you think you can't live without the ~$1,200 it costs, pay into it! The 40X return on your money is worth it.

[ajoiner]

Pay into the GI bill program? What exactly is that? Is that the G.I. Montgomery bill?

Anyways, as far as the whole living below your means thing, trust me, I know all about it. I make $600/month right now and I live at about $350/month. I know all about living cheaply. :D

Seriously, thank you to everyone who has responded.

Oh, on a side note, my best friend from high school leaves for Navy Basic Training today. He will become a CTI so wish him luck!

[skf_atc]

Yes the GI Bill is GI Montgomery. You pay $100 for 1 year. You don't miss the money, trust me.

CTI: Not an easy rate. I'm an OS (just graduated school Friday) and even my rate has its challenges.

Make sure you put some money back too for the new NWUs. I'm learning that lesson the hard way right now because my ship is requiring them when I get there and those things run $220-$250/set from what I can see. Do TSP. I put about 2% of my base pay in every month (Around $30 or so a month) and I don't even miss that.

[ajoiner]

TSP? What is that? Sorry, I'm not too familiar with military jargon. :D

[skf_atc]

Thift Savings Plan. Think of it as the governments 401k in a way.

[ajoiner]

Oh cool. I think I will have to do that. It's kinda like my Georgia Defined Contribution. Since I work at a college, they take 7.5% out of my check.

Thanks for the heads' up. Is there anything else I should be aware of?

[skf_atc]

Yeah.
Hope you like PT. The RDCs like making everyone everyone do ITE (Intensive Training Exercises) when someone messes up. Work as a team.

In all seriousness though, get into a good work out routine that way when you do your PT tests, you don't have any trouble.

[ajoiner]

I'm working on that. I'm easing myself into a routine now. I 'power walked' three miles yesterday. Today, I'm going to jog around half of that. I have a good bit of weight to drop but I think I can drop about 60-70 pounds in three months.

[CAPSmith]

...I think I can drop about 60-70 pounds in three months.

I just thought that I'd advise you that losing weight too quickly can have negative health effects, so proceed with caution.

Some of the effects include; dehydration, muscle loss, diarrhea, hair loss (huge clumps), metabolism slow down (to keep you from dying), cramping and sickness. This is multiplied even further if you combine it with a diet of less than 1,200 calories a day. You become nutrient deprived and your body starts shutting down.

After a bit, you start running into kidney and liver problems, etc. Just remember that the objective isn't just to lose weight, but become healthy. I would strive for 10 pounds a month - it might take you a little longer, but your body will thank you for it.

[ajoiner]

I will keep that in mind. I have been told previously that it could harm my health so I am being careful. I do my best to stay well hydrated [2-4 gallons of water per day, excluding the 8 hours I am at work]. I am trying my best to keep my calorie intake around 1500 - 1700/day.

I appreciate your concern and I will do my best to keep an eye out for negative health effects.

[Billyd]

Some advice from one who has been there:

Generally speaking, you should only lose 2-3 pounds per week. If you have a large amount of weight to lose, please consult with your doctor prior to starting any diet or exercize regimen. As CAPSmith stated, you want to make it a lifestyle change and not just lose weight. Stay away from the weight loss systems currently being advertised as they are temporary solutions only. Give yourself a year to make the adjustment, especially if you have to lose that 60 - 70 pounds you mentioned.

Weigh yourself NO MORE THAN once a week. Preferably on the same day at the same time. You will see a large drop at first, but keep in mind that will be mostly water. Burning the fat will take time.

Don't change WHAT you eat as much as HOW you eat it. Smaller healthy meals with smaller portions 5-6 times per day will be more effective than skipping breakfast/lunch and then eating a large meal at dinner.

Good luck.

[ajoiner]

Okay, thanks. Any good tips on losing body fat as well? Are there any exercise programs that target body fat more so than anything else?

[CAPSmith]

I do my best to stay well hydrated [2-4 gallons of water per day, excluding the 8 hours I am at work].

The adult kidney is (on average) capable of processes 15 liters of water per day (nearly 4 gallons), but the average adult doesn't need any more than 2 quarts (1/2 gallon) of fluid per day (this includes moisture taken in through food). If you're drinking that much water in such a short period of time, just make sure you don't end up getting Water Intoxication or hyponatremia (sodium dilution).

[DoubleHelix]

I'll vouch on a mass weight loss being no good. I dropped from 180-150 in about a month and a 1/2 - 2 months. Didn't feel good, didn't look good, didn't have energy to get much done.

As far as the body fat, don't want to lose it, want to change it. Into the forms of muscle currently seen on my governor...

[ajoiner]

The adult kidney is (on average) capable of processes 15 liters of water per day (nearly 4 gallons), but the average adult doesn't need any more than 2 quarts (1/2 gallon) of fluid per day (this includes moisture taken in through food). If you're drinking that much water in such a short period of time, just make sure you don't end up getting Water Intoxication or hyponatremia (sodium dilution).


Well, I ususally drink a lot of water to begin with. When I was 15, my brother got me into the habit. Since then, I've drank 2-4 gallons of water a day, over the course of 12-13 hours.

[Billyd]

Okay, thanks. Any good tips on losing body fat as well? Are there any exercise programs that target body fat more so than anything else?

By limiting your caloric intake, as you increase your activity levels your body will turn to your fat stores to burn for energy. There is no way to target specific problem areas despite what you hear people say. A well rounded exercise program to include aerobic activity (minimum of 30 minutes, 3 times a week) is your best bet.

You want strength and flexibility (sit-ups, push-ups, etc) balanced with activity to raise your heart rate to approx 85% of max. To find that max, take 220 minus your age and multiply that by .85

For example a 43 year old male:
220-43 = 177 MHR
85% = 150 BPM (Always round down)
You need to sustain that rate (+/- 5 BPM) for 30 minutes for best results. However, prior to start any conditioning program seek the advice of your primary health care provider.

[ajoiner]

Okay, I will be sure to do that. Thankfully, my wonderful future wife was in an Army JROTC program and she remembers all the PT exercises that were used, so I think I am going to have the whole heart rate part under control.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

[Billyd]

Good luck to you, you seem to have the right attitude and have asked good questions. I forgot to mention in my last post to start slow and work your way up to where you need to be. It will take a big commitment and a long time, but keep at it. We are here for when you need it.

[skf_atc]

When I DEPed in I weighed 189, now I'm down to like 178. Not much difference but I mean looking at myself in the mirror I can see the difference. You got to stay positive. My recruiter worked with me to help me and I got in, got past RTC, past A School, and now I'm getting ready to go to the fleet.

[MP_Girl]

From someone who has been there--CAPSmith, Billyd and others are right--loosing too much weight too fast i.e. shooting for 60 to 70 lbs in three months to loose weight, is both a. unrealistic and b. unhealthy (people will start to think your anorexic/bulimic or something) and it also causes health problems for you in the future (Kidney problems, liver problems, and you end up with conditions you never had before, and really have no energy to get anything done) so take caution when trying to loose weight.

On a more personal note--weight has always been a struggle for me--in Middle School, I weighed nearly 280lbs in eighth grade at the age of 12. This was both unhealthy, and severely overweight, and so I was put on a crucial weight loss regiment by my doctor to loose the weight. This was a box of special-k cereal with a piece of fruit in the morning, a salad for lunch and a salad for dinner (Mostly with ham, eggs, cheese, and the salad greens, and instead of dressing I used salt and pepper) I was also put on an excercise program which required me to excercise daily--I chose to take on bike riding, swimming, and walking around the gym, as well as basketball and other weight loss techniques that worked for me--the trick is to find what you enjoy doing and make it work--commit to it. By the end of my tenth grade year in high school, I was down from 280lbs to 170lbs, which even though I was still considered "overweight" by U.S. Military Standards, everyone could see the difference in my appearance. In loosing the weight, I not only was more self confident about myself, but also felt better, because I lost the weight healthily--and everywhere I went, people complimented me on what a good job I did.

You have a goal of wanting to be in the Navy, yet you are overweight, so consult your doctor, and let he or she know your goal, then explain that you need to loose 50-60lbs healthily, and want help with doing this the appropriate way. Once you implement a healthy diet, and excercise routine, stick to it! Motivate yourself--try doing the Army APFT Workout Routine located here: http://www.myfit.ca/fitnessprograms/viewprogram.asp?title=Increase+Army+Physical+Fitne ss+Test+(APFT)+score&programid=1602

And remember to NEVER say you CANT do something--the trick is to convince yourself that YOU CAN loose the weight, and YOU WILL, but that it will take time. Try keeping a weight loss journal, so you can track your progress and see the difference in yourself over time. Find a partner who is willing to work out with you and motivate you.

On an Ending note: Weight loss is still a struggle for me--I am currently pregnant, but am staying healthy and active by walking on a daily basis and eating the right food. My pre-pregnancy weight was 217lbs, and I'm currently a 208lbs--my weight has been fluctuating, but healthily--in my first trimester, I dropped down to 190lbs, and then went back up to 200+ in my second trimester--after the baby, you bet your butt I'll be getting back on my work out and eating healthy routine--since it is good for my health..

And most of all--good luck! Let us know your progress, and remember YOU CAN DO IT!!

[ajoiner]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input and for their concern. I am no longer under any medical insurance so seeing a doctor is a little out of the question.

@MP_Girl: Thanks for the advice and the tips. The link is incredibly useful. My future wife and I will be using this.

Thanks.