How long do soldiers have to live in the barracks before the military will pay for them to stay off base?

Question

Army.

Answer 1

Two options you either make SGT and in some cases SSG and you will get BAH at the single rate.



Or the barracks are full and they move you out before has a E4.



You can always get permission from your COC to move out before hand but will not be entitled to BAH.



Last resort get married (not worth it just to move out of barracks)

Answer 2

The Standard for single personnel is usually E5 and higher when in the US that they will allow it, or E4s with more than 4 years in. If barracks/dorms are above a certain percentage of occupancy E4s can request to live out in town and get BAH w/o dependents, it is then up to the command to approve it or not.



Overseas it is entirely different they can require all personnel who are single to live in barracks until at least E6 if not even higher depending on where it is. Other commands will allow single personnel to live off base/post earlier.



It will honestly vary from location to location. What you have to factor in is your location, your Rank, the barracks themselves, the command and what you can afford. In some locations the barracks are new and quite nice while in others they are trashy.

Answer 3

On most posts you have to be a SSG and above to receive BAH and live as a single Soldier not in the barracks.



at times, if their is over population, a SGT can be given permission to live off post to make room in the barracks for junior enlisted. This does not happen very often, but it can (i got to live off post to make room for the SPC and below)

Answer 4

Hello Thomas,



NO RULE on this.



A single, unmarried soldier and all in the military's services are expected to reside in the barracks (or call them doms if you like). The government builds these buildings to house its single military members.



Now, in the old days there were dedicated Bachelor NCO buildings. But, today, most NCOs are married or they are authorized to live off base (Stateside). It makes little sense for the military to invest about $5 million dollars a building to build a bachelor NCO building that can not be filled up.



Now, the single soldier: When your barracks fills up to about 95% occupancy it is usual practice for the Command to authorize barracks residents too begin to move off base so that we have open rooms for new junior lower ranking persons who are coming to the base.



The usual procedure is to go to the most senior E-4 and ask them to move off base and collect BAH and BAS. If that most eligible person declines and wishes to stay in the barracks then we go down the rank list until we do find someone who will move off base and open up bed spaces for new comers.



Example: If we have a barracks with 100 rooms then we have to have at least 5 open rooms. So, if we only have 3 or 4 open rooms we can ask 1 or 2 people to move off base.



So, do not even begin to think that you will move off base right away. And, of course, if you have an assignment pending you won't want to move off base anyway and have the problem of getting furniture and whatever. Single people should not accumulate: STUFF to carry from base to base.



Wait until you get married.



Single soldiers should not even want to remain in the US after their AIT (technical school). Volunteer for Germany, Europe, Asia if you can get it.



Then, when you come back to the USA for your next assignment you will probably be a Corporal or maybe even a Sergeant. Better chances to move off base if you are single - still and not married.



Best wishes,



Larry Smith

Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)

First Sergeant

Answer 5

Each base/post has different rules, based on availability of on-base quarters, rules which can change as different mannng situations arise.

Answer 6

Hi!

If you are single then you live in the barracks until u r atleast E6 or E7 . After that you may still live in the Barracks unless u r given BAH to find a place off base.

BAH is housing allowance.



If you are married you can get housing on base or BAH for housing off base as soon as you finish Basic training and your follow up-tech school :-)

Answer 7

Different branches of the services have different rules . Usually you must be an E-4. you can live off base earlier but wont get paid for it. Once you are finished with all your schools and get to you permanent duty station talk to your supervisor about it.

Answer 8

Policy for moving out on town in the Military.(navy)

https://www.housing.navy.mil/navfacpubs/instr/13j.pdf

1300.4j for naples

https://www.housing.navy.mil/navfacpubs/instr/13j.pdf

www.marforres.usmc.mil/.../BEQ%2520Campaign%2520Plan%2520signed%25209%2520Nov...



if its a incomplete link.. google it. Like I said before.. It all depends on your command on how they do it. usually if the barracks is more than 95% filled they will allow people to move out by seniority. so if you are a turd e2 you will be in the barracks unless you are married.

Answer 9

With no other considerations but "rank", E-6. With saying that, the first poster is correct which is why people who are below the rank of E-6 get "permission" to live off base.

Answer 10

generally speaking: E4 with 4 years in or E5. or married.

Answer 11

Um, they pay you to stay offbase without them having to stay in the barracks at all. :P You get your Housing Allowance when you stay offbase.

Answer 12

once you become aNCO you should get your own housing allowence