Can a Soldier who's dependents are not with him stay in the barracks?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 08:39:30 -0400

I have a soldier that's PCSing and has dependents but they're not able to move with him for now. Can he stay in the barracks for now?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 28 at 2016 8:41 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 08:41:26 -0400

The Army officially only recognizes a geographic bachelor when they create it by orders to a duty station the spouse can not be moved to.
That said every post I have been at, every unit I was a senior leader at, had the ability to provide a room to a married SM whose family did not, could not move with them.

Best bet is for your SM to ask this question of thier sponsor at the gaining unit... these type of questions are exactly the reason the sponsor program was set up

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Apr 28 at 2016 8:54 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 08:54:28 -0400

Need more info. If geographically separated due to the needs of the Army (easiest example is a restricted tour) the answer is yes as he is a geographic bachelor. If the decision is based upon a personal decision (wife's job, kid's school, etc) the best the unit can do is stash him for short period. This would be decided by local leadership, but at a higher level isn't supported. The Soldier is paid BAH and his personal choice doesn't justify double dipping and he needs to get his butt out there and get housing. All across the military you have people make the personal decision to leave their family or move them home and that is awesome but the military is not the bill payer for those decisions. The Soldier can also apply for a bah waiver through the Army G-1, if they left their spouse in a higher cost area, but they will need to explain why that decision was in the best interest of the military and not just their own.
For this situation gather your info and engage your support channel to your 1SG.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 8:55 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 08:55:35 -0400

Here's the information he emailed me

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Apr 28 at 2016 3:12 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 15:12:19 -0400

If the unit has barracks space available, it is possible for them to live in the barracks. Also, since they are more than likely receiving BAH, they probably won't be able to stay in the barracks indefinitely unless you are overseas doing a short tour.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Apr 29 at 2016 12:08 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 00:08:46 -0400

The problem the soldier will have is getting on the list for housing and more importantly WHEN housing becomes available that fits the soldier's needs. When I was assigned to my first duty station, 10th MTN, one of the first things I did was sign up for housing. My wife and I (no kids) arrived 3 days early. Had I not signed up then, we would have had to wait 3 months for a place. Luck worked out that we only had to wait a week.
Housing was in a quad building: two side by side small apartment type homes with 2 more on top, side by side as well. If the dependents are coming within a reasonable amount of time then it would be better for the soldier to apply for housing asap. Often the movers bring their things before dependents arrive.