E5 moving out of barracks. Can I keep that at next duty station?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 22:49:59 -0500

My chain of command allows E5 to move out of barracks since it's full. Will I still get to live off post at next duty station? If not all the furniture and stuff will be thrown away and I am wondering would it be a wise move to live off post. Does anyone know if I'm eligible to keep or not??

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Mar 7 at 2019 10:54 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 22:54:09 -0500

That is up to the next duty station. What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas where the military is concerned.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 11:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:16:03 -0500

My guess is, unless it's full as well, SGT's are not allocated BAH, unless obviously they have dependents, therefore you will be required to set up shop in the barracks

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 11:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:52:25 -0500

It goes by duty station, but E5s are only allowed to live off post by exception. Usually the barracks you're staying in must be close to capacity, or they have limited capacity already and don't allow E5s to stay on post.
You could always look for a furnished place

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 8 at 2019 1:01 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 01:01:59 -0500

Is up to your next CoC based on circumstances!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 8 at 2019 6:53 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 06:53:33 -0500

Generally not! It all depends on available quarters at the new station. Also keep in mind that they can also retract the benefit if they have a situation where the barracks are open. Obviously have to allow you to clear your lease first. The point being, buy what you need and but it cheap. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 8:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 08:24:46 -0500

I would find someone who wants to earn a few extra dollars, rent out one of their rooms and pocket the rest. You'll save yourself by not buying all of the furniture, still live off post and still receive bah.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 8 at 2019 2:33 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 14:33:48 -0500

As already stated, probably not, BUT.....
It depends on the situation at the next duty station. Even if you are required to live in the barracks at the next duty station, the Army will still ship your furniture (within weight allowances), and you can put it in storage (which, yes, costs $). You can also apply for an exception to policy at the next duty station, based on the fact that you DO have all of the furniture as a result of moving out of the barracks at THIS duty station.

I want to be very clear, here, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE ETP WILL BE GRANTED, however moving out of the barracks at one installation DOES increase the chances of living off-post at the next duty station. Even with the raised chances, it is still up to the next duty station, so be prepared to move back in to the barracks.

Three recommendations:
1) If you don't mind barracks living, stay there. Especially if you are going to PCS within a year.
2) If you want to move out of the barracks, rent a FURNISHED apartment (will cost more to rent, but as a single Soldier, you can probably do fine with a furnished studio or 1BR and still come in under BAH).
3) If neither of those strikes you as the way to go, bite the bullet, and buy QUALITY furniture - stuff that will hold up to multiple moves, as well as being in a storage locker for a year or three. Then be prepared to pay for a climate controlled storage locker at the next duty station - and document EVERYTHING with the movers when you PCS.

But those are just my recommendations.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2019 12:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 12:53:35 -0500

You can live off post if you want but you may have to keep a barrack room. this can some times be done conus. Meaning you will not get BAH. Overseas is different.you live where command tells you and most Commands have SOPs that say E6 and below must live in Barracks unless there are other concerns. I lived off post in Korea even though Yongsan had a Policy that e6 and below had to live in barrack on post. I brought up that peskey regulation that said my MOS could not be housed with other Service members not of My MOS :).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2019 2:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 14:54:44 -0400

I have known lots of people who were required to maintain a room in the barracks which they did, but still chose to live off post

Response by SSG Jim Whitt made Jun 22 at 2022 12:18 AM

SSG Jim Whitt — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:18:30 -0400

SGT/E-5 without dependants are not authorized BAH or off post housing unless an exception is granted as previously stated in a comment. Is very rare to be assigned to a post without quarters availability. As you do not have dependants, your PCS orders will not cover the weight allowance for your move unless things have changed from 2004?