Health Savings Account-Health Savings Account Info

Kevin asked:


Hello there. I’m in the Delayed Entry Program for Army as a 68-Whiskey (Health Care Specialist). I ship out March 08th, 2011 for Basic Training (and subsequently, AIT). My recruiter also pulled a slot in Airborne school for me. Therefore, I have Basic Training at Ft. Sills for 9 weeks, AIT at Ft. Sam Houston for 16 weeks, and finally, Airborne school for 2 weeks at Benning.

Before I enlisted, I, and probably many others, have been constantly told to enlist for an MOS that I will enjoy, do well in, that fits me, that I could achieve an appropriate ASVAB score for, and most importantly, is relevant to my future career/education (skills learned will transfer seamlessly). Okay, I get that, and I know it’s true. When I pulled an ASVAB score in the 92nd percentile, I had a list of jobs I gave priority to over others: 18X, Combat Engineer, Psychological Operations Specialist, 11B, 89D (EOD), a few other technical hands-on jobs, and finally, 68W. I eventually chose 68W. I just liked the idea of being a health care specialist, and I thought it would have lots of benefits in and out of the Army. I was also sort of (but not really anymore) interested in the Army PA program. For the past 4 years as a high school student, I was a hospital volunteer, and the job grew on me. I liked it a lot. And yes, I know how VASTLY different 68W and the military will be from that. I just wanted to make a point.

However, I’m also a college freshman in his first semester (yes, my 2nd semester is going to be interrupted by my ship date). I’m enrolled in the Engineering School of the City College of New York. My major is mechanical engineering (working towards a B.E.) Is there a conflict of interest here? Besides having GI Bill benefits and a savings account of earnings, have I made a mistake with the MOS I chose? It’s not exactly that I want to opt-out; I’m sure I will love my MOS and the nature of its work. I just want to know if I made a big mistake by not thinking through about how well the skills and experiences will transfer into my schooling. In all honesty, it’s not relevant to my major or the career path I’d like to take.
To Tom:

Your advice is valuable and true. However, I never actually won the ROTC scholarship back when I applied as a high school student (I was surprised at how competitive it was). In fact, I’ve looked into other officership programs as a high schooler. From West Point, to USAFA, to Annapolis. I only went so far as getting a congressional nomination to two of them. It was unfortunate to see officership wasn’t in sight for me, especially after rejection from the ROTC scholarship. That’s when I contacted my recruiter. Nevertheless, it’s too late now. I’m fully content with enlistment. I also considered enrolling in Fordham’s ROTC program (uncontracted), but with a 2 hour commute through the LIRR and the train uptown, it just wasn’t plausible for me as a student. It’s true that I just couldn’t keep up with a rigorous commute like that. Hopefully, as you said, leadership experience will come whether it’s through officership or enlistment. I very much appreciate your advice.

Vern Cerulli

GDSA asked:


I’m etsing in a little over a year and trying to get things ready in advance. I’m trying to find what my priorities should be, and this is what I’m come up with thus far;

Saving money for expenses, education, etc.
Finding a university and understanding the specs of post 9/11 G.I. Bill
Securing unemployment for as long as possible
Having health defects acquired during military time repaired or accounted for
Understanding post service benefits through the VA
Understanding scholarships and other assorted veterans benefits

Am I missing anything? What challenges did other veterans encounter once they left?

Thanks in advance.

Jonas Nakata

eirama21 asked:


The office at JAG is closed for now, but I plan on making an appointment asap. So, I was hoping for the best info I could get before I consult an attorney. Husband is Army E-4 with 7.5 years in, no articles 15′s. DC BAH is around $1790. Been married the last 4.5 years of that. I am legal resident of Maryland, his is Hawaii or home of record is in Montana. No kids. Neither one of us cheated. He called it irreconcible differences. We have always had separate checkings and savings account, retirement funds, etc. Only real debt is car @$7750 left. He plans to have me move out of the residence at the end of March since his LPN at Walter Reed starts in early May. He plans for us to sign a legal separation agreement at end of March since in the state of MD, a couple must be legally separated for a year before they can get an absolute divorce. MD says it is an equal distribution state. SO, question is how much is he required by law, if any, to pay me in support? We’d still be legally married until April 2011. He says I will get my health & dental insurance still and that he will pay me $700/month and pay the car off & put it only in my name(will be around 1.5-2 years left in payments). He’s been planning this for so long and knew so many of the laws, and it came as a shock to me when I thought we were about to just have a serious talk about the relationship. He says we are not happy and not fair to one another to stay together. I have gone through a series of emotions. Even when I got to the point where I started getting mad, I was using a normal tone of voice, but asking very direct questions. Last night he just threatened to take away some of the monthly $budget. I want it to work out, but he’s already made up his mind and only has to wait due to the law. He does not want to go to marital counseling. Renting a room here to keep my job in a high cost of living area, is a tough choice since hard to find another job. My family is in Alabama so I’d probably move back there. I make only $14/hr here & once I did find a job in AL, it might be only $12/hr. I currently work as an 1:1 aide at a private school for emotionally disturbed students and also have experience with autistic spectrum disorder. What legal suggestions and tips do you have? Thank you for your time in reading this and offering advice.

Victorina Roedel