Does wife have to be changed to a dependant?

[82ndSniper]

I'm trying to come back now, and this time I have a wife and house. No matter where I go my wife will be staying with our house.
If you need to know where you are on the map, or how to hide your position, I'm your man, however, I am quite lost and ignorant about pay/taxes/benefits and the like, so any help appreciated.
I have seen a lot of info about lots of types of additional pay, but havn't found much on who qualifies for which.
I saw a couple of posts that sound like we might qualify for an extra 250.00. Will we need to change our tax filing status so that she is listed as my dependant or does the army view your spouse as dependant?
Just trying to get a idea of what I might be sending back to my very deserving supportive wife.

Thx for any Knowledge/links/info

[kmullins]

as for being a army wife, i get basic housing allowance to help pay those bills while my husbnad is away, and family seperation pay. we have 3 children.

[MSG Glenn]

During the enlistment process I'm sure things will be made clear to you. You'll be filling in lots of forms & yes your wife is considered a dependant & your pay & allowances will be computed to reflect that. They'll have you fill in a form to have your pay direct deposited in a savings account (mandatory, that's the only way you'll get paid). Make sure your wife has access to that. During the enlistment process if things aren't made clear to you then ask! They'll probably have you take out an Army life insurance policy(voluntary, I advise it. It's cheap) & make out a will. Then you'll have to start an allottment. This should all be explained to you by your recruiter or at MEPS.

My son couldn't have his pay direct deposited in a checking account so he had the bank make a monthly automatic deposit in his checking account from his savings account & then he got an ATM card. If he needs more money in his checking account then he lets us know & we make a transfer for him. Make sure your wife has access to both. He has a $200,000 life insurance policy. He has a will.

The Army looks out for you & your family. It's probably more family friendly then when you were in before.