Hey! I was wondering if someone here could clarify something for me. I've been thinking of enlisting after high school because I want to serve my country. I've heard that during deployment, the military offers what's called 'family separation pay'. Can anyone shed some light on how this really works?
Absolutely, I'd be glad to explain! Family Separation Allowance (FSA) is an amount of money that military personnel may be eligible to receive when they're required to be separated from their home due to military orders, such as during a deployment.
To be eligible, the separation must be more than 30 continuous days in duration. Typically, service members who have dependents (like a spouse or children) are the ones eligible to receive this pay, since the intent of the FSA is to assist with the additional expenses incurred because of the enforced family separation.
The current rate for family separation pay is $250 per month, and it is usually prorated for the number of days in a single month you are eligible. For example, if you're away for 15 days in a month, you would receive $125 for that month.
It's crucial to note, though, that like most military benefits, it must be applied for, meaning it will not be granted automatically. Be sure to check with your specific branch's finance department or personnel office to properly apply when the time comes.
Remember to take into consideration that while financial compensation for separation is undoubtedly helpful, military life and frequent family separations can be challenging emotionally. Be sure to utilize all resources the military provides to aid in dealing with these aspects as well.
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