Posted on Jan 17, 2017
As a SPC in the active duty Army, are you required to live in the barracks?
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Barracks
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As others have noted, generally you have to live in the barracks as an E4 unless you're married. Now, if you piss off your 1SG, he may decide you butt is better placed in the barracks whether you're married or not.
(Wasn't me, but I've seen it happen)
(Wasn't me, but I've seen it happen)
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MSG (Join to see)
As a single junior enlisted Soldier I received permission by my Commander to reside off-post BUT
1. I had to maintain a room in the barracks which had to be inspection ready and
2. It would be strictly on my own dime as I would not be receiving BAH (BAQ and VHA back then) BUT ...
3. I didn't have to partake in any GI Parties and
4. Didn't have to deal with a roommate who was thrust upon me.
Did it for two years before I transferred to another unit (same post) and that Commander told me I had to live in the barracks.
1. I had to maintain a room in the barracks which had to be inspection ready and
2. It would be strictly on my own dime as I would not be receiving BAH (BAQ and VHA back then) BUT ...
3. I didn't have to partake in any GI Parties and
4. Didn't have to deal with a roommate who was thrust upon me.
Did it for two years before I transferred to another unit (same post) and that Commander told me I had to live in the barracks.
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SSG (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) That had to be a letdown, especially after your two years of adulthood.
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MSG (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - Yes and no. The restrictions of the barracks took some getting used to but then I didn't have to worry about rushing through traffic to get to formation. Still GI Parties SUCK!
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CW3 (Join to see)
I feel you there, MSG (Join to see) . As a SPC, I had a GI Party that was scheduled after duty hours, the same day, and I had a final exam in a college course I was taking that day.
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There is some good stuff posted here. Before you get to far into the plan, make sure installation an unit policy allow it, or else its DOA before you start. I would say 99% of the time a single SPC would have to reside in the Barracks. The main basis is space availability. The Commander has the power to authorize Soldiers to live off base and authorize BAS. The Commander could be called into question about doing so, but if he has the proper justification, no worries. The most accepted reason for leaving Junior Soldiers in the barracks is to save them from themselves, and this shouldn't surprise you. Rules are made because someone before you messed it up. Don't beat me up on this hear me out. The average single SPC in the Army has never maintained a household. Never paid electricity, gas, water, trash, cable, etc,. This Coupled this with a car payment and insurance, one quickly exceeds the BAH and starts to bite into base pay. I understand there are exceptions, and some Junior Soldiers are squared away. My recommendation for a Soldier who is looking to get out of the barracks is to make a detailed budget plan. Show all expenses and savings, and pitch this with your plan/request to get your own place. This will show maturity, forward thinking, and your problem solving ability. It will go further than a request to move out with nothing supporting it. When I was a CSM, this was required before the Commander would consider it. I understand that the Barracks is not always an ideal spot. One is subject to "Hey you" tasking's and such. Some installations have rules that "no off post living for junior enlisted" if the Barracks are not a certain percentage filled. Some places the Barracks are in such bad shape they are encouraged to live off post. Another benefit to the Army for living in the barracks is DFAC use. The DFAC is numbers based, so the more folks use it, the better it is. Cant comment on the quality, but the busy DFACs are most times pretty good. Hope this helps. I have had Soldiers "maintain" a room in the barrack and live off post, but that's not smart because you miss meals, and most likely are paying some sort of rent with no additional funds.
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1SG (Join to see)
"The average single SPC in the Army has never maintained a household. Never paid electricity, gas, water, trash, cable, etc,. This Coupled this with a car payment and insurance, one quickly exceeds the BAH and starts to bite into base pay"
Then this SPC gets promoted to SGT and in many cases can become potentially eligible go off post. They still have not learned to pay for the above listed amenities. I have never been an active duty NCO; are there any mandatory life skills classes available. (To be honest, maybe I should take one myself. I have never paid these things either..Household 6 manages the budget..:) )
Then this SPC gets promoted to SGT and in many cases can become potentially eligible go off post. They still have not learned to pay for the above listed amenities. I have never been an active duty NCO; are there any mandatory life skills classes available. (To be honest, maybe I should take one myself. I have never paid these things either..Household 6 manages the budget..:) )
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SGM (Join to see)
The underlying issue is maturity/experience. This is an "intangible" concept. Because you cant put a specified list of things to accomplish to achieve it. This where leadership is critical. When I joined the Army at 19, I didn't know a thing about the real world. I lived with mom and didn't pay for anything. When I got to my first duty assignment, my squad leader and PSG took me under their wing and taught me. They even showed me how to balance my check book, etc. As I a gained experience they scaled back their involvement. It was in their best interest to ensure I was successful. Today, leader involvement is not the same. What I am getting at is there is not litmus test for who is and is not responsible. The easy answer is a blanket policy. Just because a SPC is promoted to SGT doesn't mean has gained maturity. The flip side of that is there are Junior Soldiers that are way smarter than I was and would do fine. But the adage about a bad apple spoiling the bunch is true. As for the classes, they are available, but unless something triggers it, not mandatory. After initial entry training, unless its part of NCOPD, OPD, or SGT's Time Training, these classes are voluntary. (Hint Hint!) When I was the CSM, I had every new Soldier come see me. I spoke with them about finance and education. I would periodically (when I had enough new Soldiers) take all new Soldiers over to the ED center for a briefing. I then encouraged them to get a financial advisor. Not a common practice among my peers, but I thought it was important. I can see the difference in view from an "M" day Soldier who has other obligations/careers. I don't want this to be a "beat down" of all SPC and below in the Army, heck I was a pain in the butt SPC myself. Its just a fact that not all Soldiers are initially ready to take on the added responsibility of maintaining a home on junior enlisted pay. Everyone knows a knuckle head SPC that you wouldn't trust with Nerf guns! LOL!!
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The answer is it is up to your Chain of Command there is no hard and set Army rule across the board. If your married as a SPC, in most cases it is yes and they will let you live off post. If your single it is a case by case basis. Single with visitation of kids I have seen it granted. Single with no kids I have seen it granted in some cases where your splitting rent with another Soldier. Depends on your Chain of Command, how full the barracks are and how mature they feel you are. Overseas because of security situations in Europe and Korea they might require you stay in the Barracks as a SPC if your not married. Tough to get around the security concern issue.
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