Time Away

[hagan_91]

If I join the army how long into basic can I go home to visit family and gf. It says after 5 weeks people can visit but does that mean I can also visit them. Also how long after basic can I move into a permanent home and bring my gf.  Last question is how much of the year percentage wise am I away from home on training during peace time.

Thanks

 

[VanIslandNWThopefull]

There are absolutely no guarantees as to when you can leave and visit family.  Leave passes can be easily at any time shredded, if mistakes are made.  I'm new to the forces, but I can already tell you that there are no solid answers to any of your questions.  There are way too many variables and the question has been asked many times. 

 

[matt4545]

Time away from home, on excercises or what have you completly depends on which unit you are with.

 

[Dkeh]

There are absolutely no guarantees as to when you can leave and visit family.  Leave passes can be easily at any time shredded, if mistakes are made.

This. Right here.

 

[hagan_91]

Thanks guys thats what I was expecting, but as for after BMQ/BIQ when can I move into my permanent residence with my gf?

Thanks

 

[PMedMoe]

Thanks guys thats what I was expecting, but as for after BMQ/BIQ when can I move into my permanent residence with my gf?

Thanks

Once you've done all trades training (and any other applicable courses) and have gotten a posting to your unit.  And even then, you may have to ask permission...... If that's what you're worried about, I might suggest more research, joining the Reserves or considering another career all together..... 

 

[hagan_91]

I don't understand so your saying I may never get to move into a home? Why does recruiting videos say if your not married you can choose to live off base? How are people exposed to have normal lives as the videos suggest is a given. I will not join if you telling me I can only visit my gf n not live with her.

 

[Dkeh]

One thing you will learn about the Army (if you join) is that nothing is certain. Another things is that "situation dictates"- basically, every situation is different. What happened for one person may be vastly different than what you are offered.

 

[PMedMoe]

I don't understand so your saying I may never get to move into a home? Why does recruiting videos say if your not married you can choose to live off base? How are people exposed to have normal lives as the videos suggest is a given. I will not join if you telling me I can only visit my gf n not live with her.

No, that is not what I said.  I said, you need to do more research.  :

Time to change my signature line.......

 

[hagan_91]

lol yeah clearly, i was always under the impression that once i finished BIQ I would move my gf to where I was based and we would start our lives, in a home of our own, and only away on training excercises, or an operational tour.

 

[GAP]

lol yeah clearly, i was always under the impression that once i finished BIQ and trades training and posted to a permenant posting I would move my gf to where I was based and we would start our lives, in a home of our own, and only away on training excercises, or an operational tour.

 

[PMedMoe]

All I'm saying, is if that is your biggest concern......

.......or is it hers?

So, the answer to your question was the second post.  Mods, guess you can lock this one.

 

[hagan_91]

OHHHHHHHHH ok I got it now. Sorry it took me a bit to get it but yes I want to be an infantry soldier, so after BIQ it wont be long untill i start my life. Me and my gf are prepared for the first year not seeing eachother as much as we like to, but in the end its the start to our future.  Also nobodys concern just wondering on a time frame till when were together for good.

Thanks

 

[CountDC]

I wasn't going to but just couldn't stay away

1. I don't understand so your saying I may never get to move into a home? 2. Why does recruiting videos say if your not married you can choose to live off base? 3. How are people exposed to have normal lives as the videos suggest is a given. 4. I will not join if you telling me I can only visit my gf n not live with her.

1. No he didn't say that.

2. Recruiting videos say lots of things as CAN.  That is the catch though - CAN not WILL.  Talk to all the people in trades or uniforms they didnt really want but took because the recruiter said CAN.

3. The biggy - I am guessing that was an error and you meant supposed vice exposed.  The answer is they are not.  This is the military - we do not have normal lives.  We gave them up to serve our country.

4. Your choice - even if you "live" with her there is a chance at points in your career you will only be visiting her and your kids.  Search the boards for IR/SE for one example.  It is not unusual for members to be seperated from their families, sometime for years, with the occasional visits.

More research and lot of thought.  Good luck

 

[PMedMoe]

I wasn't going to but just couldn't stay away

1. No she didn't say that.

Thanks for clarifying what I was (sort of) trying to say......

 

[CountDC]

oops - sorry about that s - no excuse as I know that from some prior posts I have read.

 

[hagan_91]

It wouldnt make sence to go through years just visiting my family, we are not at war, were not deployed in combat theatre anymore. Why would a infantry soldier not see his family on a regular basis.  I can see being away 75-100 days of the year on training, or if deployed then I can see why im not at home but now that were home from Afghanistan unless your in the SF your not deploying anytime soon.

 

[Bomber for Life]

If I join the army how long into basic can I go home to visit family and gf. It says after 5 weeks people can visit but does that mean I can also visit them. Also how long after basic can I move into a permanent home and bring my gf.  Last question is how much of the year percentage wise am I away from home on training during peace time.

Thanks

I hate to be this guy, and i really dont want to seem negative here. But if you are already worried about time away from home and family. Perhaps the forces is not the carreer choice for you.

but to answer better, You could move into a permanate home with your GF, usually after BMQ 13 weeks, and if you are going Army SQ (20 Days). Then assuming you dont end up in a PAT platoon (that can last MONTHS) you will go on your trade course. Infantry is 17 weeks.

Then once you are trained, you get posted to a Battalion somewhere in Canada. Thats is when you can have your girlfirend move to be with you.

As for simply seeing your family/ GF, you will have weekends given to you, and taken away, here and there where you can visit or have them visit. There will also be time off inbetween courses and holidays.

hope this helps

 

[Spooks]

To add onto the above post by Bomber, in an Inf Bn, you may have the caveat/probationary period of 'All new private to Bn need to live in the shacks for 6mon/1yr/etc'. This is to ensure that the new guys can make timings in Bn and also maintain their 'healthy eating' by being forced to eat at the mess for that time. When I got in (8yrs ago) this was the norm but if you had extenuating circumstances, you could write a memo to live off-base (have a family mainly). Once you passed your probationary period, you had to write a memo to your CoC stating where you plan to live, the approx time it took to get to work, how you will ensure you have transportation to the base, etc. Again, this is what I did in 2005 for my unit. Things are different now and appear to be a lot more relaxed. This can all change depending on who your CO is at your unit.

The CoC likely wants to ensure that you can get to work, that you won't live in the middle of nowhere a few hours away, that you can still meet your timings, you can still eat well, and are not moving away to save a few bucks. They will not want to hear of you living in a cardboard box and eating from a dumpster just so you can have the extra cash to gamble with at the casino.

 

[PMedMoe]

Thats is when you can have your girlfirend move to be with you.

If your girlfriend is only that (not married, not common-law), the CF will not pay for her move.  It will be on your own dime.