Can I keep my current BAH rate?

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 01:23:35 -0400

I am currently stationed on Oahu HI with a dependent. I am brining about $3,000 a month for BAH purposes. Recently, BAH dropped about $600 a month. I am grandfathered into the old rate.

I will be PCSing soon - to another Command in Oahu. My residence and ZIP code will not change for LES purposes.

My command and PSD are saying that when I PCS, I will receive the lowered rate from that point forward because I am PCSing.

Is there anyway that I can remain under the old rate which I am currently grandfathered into? Since I have a dependent, can I say that she is not "PCSing" with me? Will this keep my current rate or because I am PCSing to a new command, will I be forced to take the $600 a month hit?

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 23 at 2016 1:25 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 01:25:15 -0400

BAH is calculated by the location of your unit. Being on Oahu HI, the change in BAH shouldn't be much.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Oct 23 at 2016 1:27 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 01:27:02 -0400

I would think the rate would remain the same.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 23 at 2016 2:03 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 02:03:43 -0400

My first Tour was at CINCPACFLT, I can Sympathize. Udon and Narutro (Cup of Noodles with dried Fish Sausage) was my Friend and Diet a lot of times.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2016 3:52 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 03:52:15 -0400

Have they dropped BAH rates service wide? I thought it was calculated by location. Really doesn't make much sense if you are still in the same place of residence. DOD has been doing some strange things.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2016 5:06 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 05:06:02 -0400

You might have to work with your command, but the intent of not changing BAH until you PCSed was so that people would not have to relook their housing situation. If you are not physically moving houses you fit into that category. It may take some memorandums or research into the regulations covering the drop in BAH, but I think you have a very strong case to get your leaders involved in helping you keep the old rate. It really comes down to you PCSing, but not actually moving houses thus you should not lose out on the BAH that caused your family to get that house in the first place.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 23 at 2016 7:51 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 07:51:41 -0400

Are you PCS (Permanent Change of Station) or PCA (Permanent Change of Assignment)? Different terms when orders are cut. As an example, when I went from 1st Marines to 3/1 (which are literally next door to each other), I PCA'd because they are located on the same base.

Perhaps you can work with your Command to get the orders cut with PCA instead?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 23 at 2016 9:25 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 09:25:40 -0400

What CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member said is correct -- you are not moving your home, so you should work with your command to request to stay at the same rate. It is possible.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 23 at 2016 11:15 AM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 11:15:06 -0400

Most interesting Article...

Response by LCpl Ferdinand Hughes made Oct 23 at 2016 12:18 PM

LCpl Ferdinand Hughes — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 12:18:06 -0400

Get a special request chit to continue the grandfathered BAH rate. I just had a sailor that have the same situation.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Oct 24 at 2016 11:48 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 11:48:14 -0400

If you are not moving to a different location it is technically not a PCS, it is a PCA. People in DC do it all the time. Your BAK rate should stay the same.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2016 10:16 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 10:16:49 -0400

Depending on the branch this may vary but in the Coast Guard its known as BAH rate protection i was transferred from a sub unit to the parent unit and the transfer was less then 50 miles so i was entitled to BAH Rate protection for the simple reason it cost the government no money to move me. I had to put in a request with our yeoman. Hope this helps and good luck.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2016 9:04 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 21:04:00 -0400

I just moved from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown to Williamsburg - a shift of ~8 miles. While I did take a hit in BAH, it was because Norfolk PSD made an error. I got it all back this month.