Do e4s get bah in Germany?

2019-10-18T23:51:08-04:00

I’m projected to be stationed at the grafenwoehr base.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Oct 19 at 2019 1:38 AM

2019-10-19T01:38:08-04:00

If you are a single E1 to E4 you will likely live in the barracks. If you are married, you will likely live in family quarters.

Overseas there is no BAH, there is Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA). OHA tends to go to single officers and some single NCOs. Things change from year to year.

Your 1SG and housing staff will address availability.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 19 at 2019 2:14 AM

2019-10-19T02:14:36-04:00

Only if they are married, have dependants or if they can convince their commanding officer to allow them to live on the economy. Otherwise no. E-1 thru E-4 and even some E-5's live in the barracks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2019 3:44 AM

2019-10-19T03:44:17-04:00

As others have stated, here in Germany, you will most likely get on post housing, due to you being here SSG or below. If you do look out and get a house on economy, you’ll get OHA. However, you’ll on get the amount that’s for your rent and the Army will collect the difference. You will get COLA to help with the prices on the economy as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2019 4:15 AM

2019-10-19T04:15:52-04:00

BAH is only for your dependents when you're overseas. Assuming you are a single Soldier, if you live in the barracks you don't have a housing allowance. When you move out, if you move out, you receive OHA. OHA is based on the max your rent is eligible for as opposed to BAH which is what you're given for that area regardless of your rent.
You will also receive Cola

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Oct 19 at 2019 8:24 AM

2019-10-19T08:24:27-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Sorry but you have left us with very little to work with here.
If your a single unaccompanied Soldier PCS'ing to Germany the answer is NO. If you are Married and accompanied You have one of two options 1. Military Family Housing on post. 2. Or a rental on the economy that you choose, several other things apply as well. These options will be addressed with you during your Levy Briefing. BAH is not used over seas long story of why but I will spare you the boredom of that story an go on to say you will receive OHA as an accompanied Soldier living off post should you choose. Now if it were me skip the off post housing and take the post housing. You do not pay for it and it's warmer and closer to where you will work and usually closer to the PX/Commissary. Housing on the economy is expensive and OHA only allows so much money for economy housing based on the size of your family. The square footage of a home on the economy in Germany is much smaller than most places you find in the United States At a larger cost not to mention the heating costs.
Yes it gets COLD in Graf! My recommendation is take post housing you will have more comfort and better living, you will enjoy it more not to mention transportation wise. Unless things have changed Gas is still very expensive there so driving back and forth off post can get very very expensive.
German electric is different (unless they have changed) and is expensive you usually have to buy transformers to run TV's and other electrical items.

They should discuss most of this with you at your PCS Levy Briefing.

Hope this helps and Enjoy Germany. Thank you for serving.
PS I was there last in the 80's so some things have changed I am sure that is why your Levy Briefing is so important.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2019 12:58 AM

2019-10-20T00:58:21-04:00

No. You will get COLA. BAH is not an overseas thing, here it is OHA and thats only if you live off post, which as a SPC you will not live off post.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2019 6:49 AM

2019-10-20T06:49:44-04:00

That’s a big negative

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2019 9:09 AM

2019-10-22T09:09:46-04:00

OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) is determined by where you’re stationed (like BAH). You will only receive the amount stated in your rental/lease agreement. Unlike BAH, there won’t be anything “left over” if you find a cheap rent. You will only get OHA if there is no suitable/acceptable housing available on post. The housing office in Graf will be able to tell you about programs available to help with the utilities. This is all assuming you are married. If you are “without dependents” and Junior Enlisted, you will be living in the barracks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 11:55 AM

2019-10-31T11:55:38-04:00

I just came from Graf. Base policy is all single Soldiers E6 and below will stay in the barracks. Married Soldiers will go to the housing office and if there are homes available you stay on base. If they give you permission to live off base. You get OHA, COLA, and a utility allowance.