Does it make sense that different ranks pay different prices for the same house?

2016-04-09T13:39:52-04:00

I have lived on-post at my last two duty stations; Ft. Benning, GA and the illustrious Ft. Polk, LA. While the quality of housing has "varied" , my family has always enjoyed the convenience and community feeling of living on post. That being said, it always struck me as crazy that a SGT living in the same layout house on the same street as a SFC is charged significantly less for the same house.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 9 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-04-09T13:48:04-04:00

The alternative is they can move off post.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2016 2:39 PM

2016-04-09T14:39:51-04:00

Part of the reason I won't live on post again. I was stationed on Fort Benning for four and a half years, paying full 2LT BAH at first then full CPT BAH when I left. Same house, 600 dollar difference in BAH. Never again.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2016 3:09 PM

2016-04-09T15:09:39-04:00

It has been like that since the privatization of managing the housing. Since it only goes off the size of your family now, unlike when the Army managed it, using DoD civilians, and rank played into the decision. The new management just wants to keep the units filled, so they took out a few of the factors to ease the process. On post housing has never really been fair, though. My opinion is that On post housing should be managed just like any other rental agency would do it. If I want to live in a house more expensive than my BAH will cover (or less), I should be able to decide that. The price of the housing should be tied to its value and not the BAH rate. But, that won't happen because the agency makes more money keeping them full and and limiting their admin costs.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Apr 9 at 2016 6:03 PM

2016-04-09T18:03:43-04:00

It still sounds better than it used to be when quarters for single soldiers were real dumps and you couldn't get a BAH at all if there was anywhere available on base no matter what it was. If you chose to live off base you paid 100% right out of your pocket. Even single officers and lower ranking NCOs with families got dumps. They were just starting to build new units and they pretty well went by rank. Most of the older housing was left over from the WWII days.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-04-09T18:29:33-04:00

They pay less because their BAH rate is less. No real math involved. I always listen to people crying about this. if you are not happy with the pay rate/quality of your housing, which you are paying the same proportionality for as the junior guy, look off post. Pay the utilities and all other fees involved. I pay 3,600 (BAH) per month for a house on base, but don't have any other fees. I personally have never seen a SGT pay less than their BAH rate for the same house that a SFC lives in. I doubt that I would see a SGT even living anywhere near even junior officer, housing so that isn't even a part of the equation. So, unless base pay is commensurate, BAH rate should reflect this. Yes, it makes sense. The only real complaints should be coming from the privatized housing folks.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Apr 10 at 2016 12:34 PM

2016-04-10T12:34:49-04:00

RHIP! Rank has the privilege of paying more because you are paid more. I personally feel the BAH rate should be reverses 180 degrees...

Response by SGT J M Porters made Apr 11 at 2016 12:27 AM

2016-04-11T00:27:54-04:00

Remember it is purely economic. An E-5 makes lest than an E-7. He is going to have more time in grade. Secondly there will be a different in housing allowance. I will say this had I had a family when it came time for me to get out or reenlisted. I would have never got out because of my responsibility. I would like to comment all of you for the sacrifices you make and what you do as service men and women. An E-5 does not make a lot of pay. And if he has a family it really does not go a long way.

Response by CH (MAJ) Luke Phillips made Apr 11 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-04-11T09:47:47-04:00

Matt, no it doesn't. That's why it is sometimes best to just live off post.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Apr 12 at 2016 12:56 AM

2016-04-12T00:56:05-04:00

I would assume it have something to do with your BAH allowance. I'm pretty sure you as a SGT do not get the same as the SFC. Just my take on it though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 3:35 PM

2016-04-15T15:35:33-04:00

I agree with you

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Apr 26 at 2016 7:43 AM

2016-04-26T07:43:12-04:00

In my humble opinion, neither are paying anything for quarters. If you live off post the Army pays you by rank to find housing that they do not have to maintain. You can live in the same type, or dollar value if you choose.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2016 10:01 AM

2016-05-04T10:01:34-04:00

It doesn't make sense if they took every penny for BAH and the quarters aren't worth every penny either! Especially in Ft Polk. Some of those homes in Maple and Dogwood are so old and outdated it's a crying shame they try to take all 1263.00 from a W2 with dependents!

Response by CSM Mike Sweeney made Jun 5 at 2016 10:17 PM

2016-06-05T22:17:26-04:00

I see some of the same issues still are questioned these days. I could always understand that housing and meals were all part of the total compensation package and the difference being the enticement to make the Army a career and advance. Good on an installation if the housing is "worth" the amount the soldier reimburses the Army for providing on post housing. Not all did in the past and some apparently have not caught up. I also support the idea that on post housing areas do need to be according to rank. I did not support the concept of mixed neighborhoods. I explained it this way: When you begin to work for IBM in the mailroom the wages you make might allow you to live in a run down trailer park. As you receive advancements and promotions with raises over the years, your income allows you a higher standard of living. The neighborhoods you live in will generally reflect the same medium income and status. As you become senior in the corporation and maybe even a VP or CEO, you will have a standard of living worthy of your status. I always advocated for proper standard of housing for all ranks. But, I never was ashamed to tell privates that if they soldiered well and advanced through the ranks in their career, they too will reap the fruits of their labor. Bottom Line: Living in housing, your reimburse the Army the money they pay you to live off post. That pay is dependent on your pay grade. If the post housing is all brand new and therefore equal........ good for the installation.