Can Military Spouses Accompany Their Partners Overseas?

Ensuring the well-being and comfort of service members during overseas deployments is a priority for the military. Many couples dream of joining their partner during international tours, but the reality can vary widely based on the service member’s rank, the nature of the deployment, and the location. This article explores the factors that determine whether a military spouse can accompany their partner overseas.

Factors Influencing Accompanied Tours

The decision to allow military spouses to accompany their partners on overseas tours is complex and multifaceted. Historically, the opportunity for accompanied tours has been more often reserved for senior personnel such as Senior Staff NCOs and senior officers. However, even for these high-ranking individuals, obtaining an accompanied tour is not always guaranteed. The moving costs for the family are often borne by the service member.

My experience in the Navy illustrates this variability. On two occasions, the entire family accompanied my father to overseas postings in Guam and Japan. Yet, during four separate overseas deployments, my family was unable to join him due to the ongoing nature of military conflicts. Similarly, my 25-year career in the Army saw instances where deployments to various locations, such as Japan and Sardinia, allowed my spouse to accompany me, but she was unable to join me when I was deployed to other more dangerous or remote areas like Antarctica, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean.

Restrictions and Dangers

One of the main reasons for restricting military spouses from accompanying their partners is the lack of training and preparedness among the spouses for the potential dangers and challenges that their partners might face. Spouses are not trained combatants and thus would not be able to contribute significantly in hazardous situations where soldiers are repeatedly trained and prepared. Furthermore, the presence of a non-military spouse in a high-risk area could detract from the service member's focus and discipline.

Options for Spouses

While the military itself does not facilitate the inclusion of spouses in all deployed environments, there are alternative options for spouses. A civilian partner may explore travel options to nearby areas such as Saudi Arabia or Italy, which are often considered safer and more accessible. Of course, these arrangements require that the service member is deployed to a location with reasonable access to such destinations. Additionally, if the service member receives a pass or leaves, they may visit a spouse who has already traveled to a nearby location, thereby reducing travel time.

Understanding Deployment and Stationing

It's essential to understand the difference between deployment and stationing. A deployment is a short-term assignment where the service member usually stays, while the spouse and children remain at home. On the other hand, a permanent change of station (PCS) involves an individual move and can be either unaccompanied or accompanied. An unaccompanied tour means the spouse doesn’t join the service member in the new location, while an accompanied tour means the spouse can accompany the service member.

The availability of family housing, whether on-base or off-base, plays a significant role in determining whether a spouse can accompany a service member overseas. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the political and economic situation in the host country also influence stationing decisions. Depending on the specific location, it's possible to have both accompanied and unaccompanied tours within the same country, varying based on duty assignments and personnel needs.

For military spouses, the ability to accompany their partners during overseas tours can be a significant factor in maintaining family unity. Understanding the available options and the factors that influence these decisions can provide clarity and direction for couples facing this challenge.