BAH Not paid during IET. Any ideas on how to move forward?

2021-03-09T21:45:39-05:00

Hello everyone,
I am having an issue with unpaid BAH. Before I went to IET I attended an entree drill. This was to prepare me for BCT and to get some paperwork out of the way before I left. While I was there I was told that I was entitled to BAH. So I brought all my documents and my lease to my duty station so it could be processed. That's when I ran into the first Issue. My recruiter had put down my mailing address as my primary residence. So we submitted a request for my address to be changed and then I shipped off to BCT. At DEERs, they did not have my updated orders with my correct address so they wouldn't process my BAH request. So I talked to the National Gaurd reps. They told me to submit the request at my unit in BCT. I did that and never heard anything. Then I submitted another and then another at AIT. I never heard anything. I got back from IET and sent up a request with my Unit. They confirmed that I had been eligible but they had never received any BAH info from my training station. They submitted a paid ticket in October. It is not March and I have not heard anything at all. Is there anyone else I should try contacting? I live in an expensive area and all my base pay went to paying for my apartment and I am struggling financially. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you !!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2021 9:58 PM

2021-03-09T21:58:24-05:00

Have your 1st line leader contact your HHC Commander in the Battalion or Brigade. Commanders do not like soldiers in a bind. the S1 is in charge of pay, but there's got to be a full timer NCO who can fix this. I am sure your commander has an open door policy. 6 months have gone down the road so it's time to piss people off and go above them.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 9 at 2021 11:35 PM

2021-03-09T23:35:57-05:00

In addition to the excellent advice from LTC Private RallyPoint Member you should also reach out to Army Community Service and Army Emergency Relief. If you are struggling to put food on the table, they MAY be able to help you.

I will be perfectly honest, I have NO CLUE as to what they can or cannot do for a Guardsman who (I assume) is not currently on an active status. It may be nothing. But it may also be SOMETHING.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2021 8:48 AM

2021-03-10T08:48:45-05:00

You have to request to see your USAR LNO, he/she will take care of it. Your order has to be amended first before the BAH entitlement can be disbursed. I am the USAR LNO at Fort Leonard Wood and I deal with Trainees' BAH issue all the time. If you wish, email me your information at [login to see] (name, SS, training unit you currently belong to) and I will look you up in RECMOD and then I will contact your LNO.

Response by CW4 Keith Dolliver made Mar 10 at 2021 8:05 PM

2021-03-10T20:05:18-05:00

Work with your chain of command as much as you can, but if still feel you're getting nowhere, write your Congressman. (I'm not being glib, seriously.) You absolutely will piss everyone off, but it will get results.

I was in a unit years ago when a Soldier reenlisted; their new ETS date got updated on the MPD side of the system, but not on the Finance side. Once they hit their old ETS they stopped being paid. After three months of no pay and it not being fixed, he wrote his Congressman and shit got fixed quick. (The BDE Cdr also had every officer and SNCO in his CoC in his office the next day after the Congressman got involved.)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 2:56 PM

2021-03-11T14:56:18-05:00

If you haven't already PFC Christopher have your whole lease, Marriage Cert and Your 5960 For BAH to Start it and send it up to finance again. You should get back pay from the time that you lost as well. I hope this helps you out

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2021 8:11 PM

2021-03-11T20:11:04-05:00

I had a similar issue with BAH type II. Took about 9 months to get it but I eventually got it. Just keep onto finance about it and I think it’s more about finding that correct person who can take the process from start to finish. Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2021 9:42 AM

2021-04-15T09:42:46-04:00

You can always 368 yourself on to active duty, if you're looking for more stability. You can always use your desire for travel and structure as a reason. Just an option. But, yes, what LTC Conway mentioned.