Can my command keep me from moving out of the barracks until my new spouse moves to my duty station?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:36:55 -0400

I recently got married and all the paperwork is done for me to get BAH. My spouse is currently not in the States and she will be arriving in the next couple of months. My command team do not want me to move out of the barracks because she isnt here yet. Are they right? We are legally married and she will be here shortly so cant I move to a house? I want to get all the furniture and stuff set up so when she arrives it'll all be good to go. Anything will help, thank you!

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 14 at 2020 11:17 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 23:17:36 -0400

You are in a slippery slope, my friend.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2020 12:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:38:15 -0400

As long as you are not MACP you can move out. MACP have extra rules and circumstances. You must apply for BAH and when you receive BAH you are not longer eligible to remain in the barracks. If your 1SG somehow makes you stay in the barracks then cou r your lucky stars that you are pocketing free BAH every month you are not in housing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2020 7:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:53:59 -0400

Just wait until you get the BAH and then you can leave the barracks and find a place of post. I have heard single Soldiers getting places off base with other Soldiers but they had to pay out of pocket with no BAH and still had to maintain a barracks room. You should get your BAH pretty quick depending on when the paperwork was sent up in that month. You will also get any back pay from the day you got married. So if you have to stay in the barracks for awhile while it goes through then you can use the back pay to get a place that suits your needs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2020 4:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 16:04:09 -0400

I agree with SFC Boyd- pocket that BAH as long as you can. Then you can probably do more when she gets to where you are.

It's up to you but I'm all about saving money when I can. If you're getting it now and they say stay in the barracks, they aren't screwing you. At all.

If they haven't submitted the paperwork, you can't really get a place anyway. You don't have BAH yet.

Response by SFC Charles Dennis made Oct 15 at 2020 6:35 PM

SFC Charles Dennis — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 18:35:53 -0400

If you are receiving BAH, you are not authorized to live in the barracks. If you are not receiving BAH, then a unit can require a Soldier to maintain his or her living area in the barracks. Like I tell every Soldier, it is ALWAYS BEST to contact JAG regarding legal questions and not to listen to "barracks lawyers" nor "Rally Point" lawyers.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 16 at 2020 11:04 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 11:04:54 -0400

Just stay patient. Common sense prevails. Once you have received BAH or have a BAH payment pending the Barracks Managers will move to have you pulled from the Barracks. That will be outside of the 1st Sgts scope. He can't stop policy. Just be patient. It won't take long for it to shake out.

Response by PO3 Scot Fahey made Sep 26 at 2021 6:20 PM

PO3 Scot Fahey — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 18:20:32 -0400

My command was a tenant command that did not possess Barracks ( basic enlisted housing) or a chow hall by any name. New assignments were helped with housing in Hawaii as soon as possible. US Navy detachment 1979. Things have changed

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Sep 27 at 2021 7:59 AM

SPC Steven Depuy — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 07:59:30 -0400

Always better to ask than demand. Always better to pay the extra months rent for a place your not staying in, and stay in the barracks until she arrives, and set up the house in the evening and on weekends, than piss off those over you. I don't know your leadership team, but some people when challenged will go the extra mile to prove to you who is in charge. Its the Army, not a civilian job. That's my useless advice to you.