As a single E-4 can you live off post with out telling the command team? And with no BAH?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:02:03 -0500

It’s for a soldier and he’s wondering if it’s possible to live off post and not get in trouble.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 3:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:09:07 -0500

And what would happen if that single E-4 lives off post and someone needs to contact him (recall, UA, alert, etc.) and they aren't answering the phone? Something bad happens to this E-4 and no one knows about it?
If the Soldier wants to live off post, then I would HIGHLY recommend this E-4 go thru the proper channels. See where I'm going with this?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 3:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:12:05 -0500

Old guy stupid question would be, Why would you want to do this? With no BAH, how would you survive? What kind of dump would they live in? Without authorization from the command this would be a no go. He would definitely have to maintain a room in the barracks. Now wherever they decide to sleep would be up to them. Still would be required to pull any duties or any GI parties scheduled for the barracks they "reside in". Be late to one formation and see what happens. This just doesn't make sense. Too many things could go wrong for this to be feasible. BAD decision if this is already happening.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 2 at 2020 3:14 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:14:16 -0500

No. The contact list(forget the official name) needs to have name, phone number, and address in cases of 'emergencies'.
Can he live off post? Yes. He just needs to inform his coc. He/she will not receive housing or food allowance.
E-5s and above can live off post with command authorization and receive BAH

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 3:15 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:15:03 -0500

Not telling the command team is the way to get in trouble. Why does he not want to run this up the chain of command? As a Sergeant, you do not already know the correct answer?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 3:18 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:18:51 -0500

Here is another food for thought: What is the post policy for SMs being allowed to live off post? If E-4 and below require (per most standard post commander policies) approval to move off base...and the SM in question still moves off post without approval and not informing the Command Team, then they could/would be in violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ and could possibly face either an Article 15 or possible court martial.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 3:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:36:40 -0500

Sure, the Soldier can make a poor financial decision to rent an additional residence off post and pay for it out of pocket. But, they will still be expected maintain their barracks room. That room will still be considered the Soldiers primary residence as far as the Army is concerned. But, unless they are restricted to the barracks they can sleep where they want. They could just rent out a hotel room every night if they wanted.

Response by PO2 John Johnson made Jan 2 at 2020 4:03 PM

PO2 John Johnson — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:03:23 -0500

Ultimately, the command should be informed if you're living off base whether or not you're receiving BAH. And it's up to your command to say if it's okay or not.

We're going back to the stone age here, but when I was on active duty (1984-1989) my command, NMCB40, had no requirement for E-4 and below to live on base. We were still assigned a barracks room, and were responsible for doing our share in a 2 to 4 man room, and for inspections and such, but if we wanted to spend the money to live off base, or shack up with a local girl, as long as we informed the command what we were doing, and they had a phone number they could reach us at, we were free to do so.

But even then unless you were on the duty section, that really only mattered if we were in a heightened state of alert, as we had no curfew, so we weren't expected to be reachable 24/7 under normal conditions.

Response by SSG Robert Mark Odom made Jan 2 at 2020 4:28 PM

SSG Robert Mark Odom — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:28:17 -0500

I don't think it's a good idea.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 4:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:28:40 -0500

I’m stationed at fr Carson, an e-3 that I know lives off post with her bf... our command knows about it, but she still maintains her barracks room... they are both here on Carson, stupid idea if you ask me....

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 2 at 2020 6:06 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 18:06:05 -0500

That is really going to depend on your First Sergeant and Company Commander. See, here is the thing. E-1 to E-4 are required to live in the barracks UNLESS they get command permission to live off post. Then we get into the fact that ok, the soldier is living off post paying the entirety of the rent, utilities etc out of their pocket. They would not have any money left over for literally anything. The SM is required to maintain a room in the barracks which also means accountability there. Dumb plan all over.

Best thing to do is go to CoC and ask permission to live off post and make their best argument for it. A commander CAN say yes or outright decline.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 9:15 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:15:25 -0500

I’m just going to say that the 3-5 times I have seen this happen in my career, it has NEVER gone well.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2020 9:38 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:38:49 -0500

It is possible to do this and not get in trouble, however it results in trouble every time.
If this Soldier is already capable of making the incredibly financially unsound decision of living off-post with no BAH and no BAS, how many more unsound decisions is he going to make in the next few months?
Short answer: the kind of decisions that result in the Soldier being restricted to barracks as opposed to just living in the barracks.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 3 at 2020 8:39 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 20:39:50 -0500

Technically NO, the CoC has to be informed/asked prior. Mainly because there are many low life rip off housing people off- post, who will gladly over charge you, rent you un-fit housing, or tie you up in a lease for years. The CoC is kept informed by JAG/Housing on the trouble folks. Also, In some units with Deployable World Wide status, you are required in be on post at the unit within 2 hrs of an alert. A bitch to do if you don't need a ride, have a phone, etc

Response by LCpl Mike Niemeyer made Jan 20 at 2020 11:11 AM

LCpl Mike Niemeyer — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 11:11:24 -0500

As a former Marine I can say I did this and trying to maintain barracks and pay rent with 2 others that I lived with. It is a total pain in the arse, you have a hatd time maintaining uniforms, haircut, and any other expense the Corp finds needed. Plus you jave food and gas on top of this. I did it as an E-4 I personally would tell this E-5 "suck it up butter cup and stay at the barracks until command allows you off base housing"