My husband and I were married 3 weeks ago during his mid tour leave!! YAY!! I am a reservist and he is active duty stationed on Fort Hood. (We are both medics, met at training). I live with his family right now, but I plan on moving to fort hood at the end of February so I can establish a home and get myself settled before he returns from his deployment. That being said I have a MILLION questions about fort hood.


1) Any recommendations for apartments with short lease options? We want to buy a house when he returns so we want the flexibility of a short or month to month leasing option ---- that being said, does on post housing have lease agreements or can you leave whenever you want without orders?

2) I am using my GI BILL and TA to take online courses and am currently working towards my BS in Criminal Justice. However, I do want to go back to school to learn a trade so I have a steady income while I work towards my degree. I heard about the MyCAA and I know I am eligible, despite my reserve status. I am very interested in the Vocational Nursing program at central texas college. Anyone attended? How long is the wait list, how is the process to get in, etc. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.

3)Does anyone know how a soldier might be able to obtain a power of attorney while deployed? I have never deployed so I have no idea, and I'm not sure I would be able to get an apartment for us without it.


4) Anyone know how long it takes BAH to kick in? The sooner we get it the sooner I can get to Fort Hood, which I am really looking forward to!!


5) I know the military contracts people to do our taxes, can I find them if I am not near a military post? If so, how do I go about that?

Any general information on Fort Hood would be great, as I will be there soon. The closest I have been is San Antonio where I went to AIT, and I know Ft. Hood is quite a drive from there. I know nothing about it. Thanks ladies!! 

First off, Congrats on being newly married!

I dont really know anything about leases off post at Hood bc when I was there we lived on post, as for on post, when you move your rent is prorated for the date you move in and the rest of the month. so if you move in on the 1st then you pay full BAH, if you move in the 15th you pay half and if you move in the end of the month you might only pay like 30 bux. I can't remember but I am pretty sure that you have to give 30 or 60 days notice to move out unless you have orders for PCS.

As for the POA he should be able to get it from the jag over there at whatever FOB or COP he is at/near. I know it can take a while, and then expect 2 weeks for them to get to you, but they can get one over there from legal.

You can do your taxes yourself online at taxfreedom.com Since you got married before the end of 2010 you will have to file married and unless you have POA no one will file both yours and his. The loophole is to file online if you are going to file joint. If you are going to file separate, then you are fine using the reg tax services. Personally I would check and see which one gives you more back because there will be a difference.

Taxfreedom.com is turbo tax's site for military free filing and it is really easy to do. I also use taxact.com which is still free for federal and like 10 bux for state.

good luck :D 

Thanks for your help!! I didn't know turbo tax had a site for military. That's one thing down!! lol 

Dewald Properties in Copperas Cove does month to month lease and are good about letting you breaking your lease. 

1) Short term lease options are available. Most common will be 3 or 6 month leases. Finding monthly will be extremely difficult. Check out AHRN.com for listings, price ranges, etc that are approved by the military.

Post housing would be a waste of your time. By the time you got a place you would already have a place rented or purchased and you may have difficulties moving once you get off post housing if you got on post quickly. The housing office at Hood is sorta corrupt, if you ask me, and depending who you are and what you say and how much you bug them...you can get anything done or waived. lol

2) I can't help you much here.

3)You will for sure need a POA with special clauses to do things with military offices on his behalf. Yes, he will easily be able to get a POA while deployed. Have him get a "specialized" POA w/clauses for movement of HHG, starting/stopping allotments, and obtaining post housing.

4) BAH kicks in as fast as the S1/Finance wants to push that pencil. It all depends but starts fairly quickly after everything is squared away paperwork wise...like the next months pay.

5) Megz named 2 of the free tax sites.

H&R Block will also have a free version for military available online (minus Coast Guard) after the 17th of Jan (I think, going by memory now...yikes) where it will be free to efile federal and at least 1 state return free as well. DO NOT SIGN UP WITH A FILING ACCOUNT UNTIL THE MILITARY VERSION IS UP AND RUNNING! I will post details when I find them again.

TurboTax is also free to efile Federal.

Filing online is your best option. The program will talk you through all the questions you may have about locations & deployments...if not, the call center is free to use under the military versions.

Fort Hood is really "the great place" if you let it be. It's what you make of it! Get out, get involved and LEARN your area and resources! I'm in South Korea right now, but still miss Hood and think of it as "back home". Love it so much I can't stay away from this site...for some connection ;)

This was not a million questions...so shoot off the next round and try to challenge us next time :)

Congrats on the marriage, Welcome to the Army, and WELCOME TO HU! 

haha thanks, I thought this spouse thing would be easy since I'm in the Army myself, but you there is a whole different set of issues being a spouse that us female soldiers never consider. 

I recommend Tri-City Property managment for an off post lease...they are really great. congrats & good luck!