Is Movement of Spouse Covered During Deployment?

Hey everyone. Junior here, looking towards the future and researching next steps after high school. My significant other and I have been talking about joining the military, but the item of deployments and moving costs has come up. Would the military cover any costs to move my spouse back home during a deployment? Trying to consider all possibilities. Thanks!

Yes, support is provided for dependents during a military member's deployment but not in the way you're asking. The military does not typically fund the movement of a service member's spouse or family back to their home region during a deployment. The primary reason behind this is the concept of Permanent Change of Station (PCS).

When a soldier is assigned to a specific base, their dependents are also authorized to move to that area, and the military covers this cost as part of the PCS move. The expectation then is that the dependents will remain in that location for the duration of the service member's assignment, including during deployments.

However, you should know that in some scenarios, military families can apply for a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), which could move a service member's family out of a high-risk area, but this isn't a standard occurrence and typically only happens in extreme situations.

In terms of everyday support for families during deployment, the military does offer many resources. There are family readiness groups, counseling services, and other forms of support to help families cope with the separation.

The possibility of deployment is indeed a significant aspect to consider when contemplating a military career. Remember, it's always a good idea to talk to a recruiter or people already serving in the military to get a realistic idea of what to expect.