Can I live in the barracks when going through an uncontested divorce or do I have to wait until BAH stops?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 May 2023 02:17:12 -0400

My wife left my base and went back to her hometown in a different state and now we are getting an uncontested divorce that in my state will only take 30 days to finalize once submitted I asked my 1sgt and commander if I can stay in a temporary barracks room until my divorce is finalized but they told me that isn't possible, that I have to wait until i am no longer receiving bah before I can stay in the barracks

Response by COL Randall C. made May 5 at 2023 8:25 AM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 05 May 2023 08:25:03 -0400

On many bases, voluntary moving to the barracks if you are receiving BAH may need the approval of someone higher than your unit Commander, so that may be impacting. In other cases, the Commander can give the approval.

If you were still living together, that would be a different situation and Army policy makes it an option (you'd have to go through a few extra steps), but that doesn't appear to be the case now - your wife moved back to her hometown and you're by yourself.

The military has ways through a pending divorce scenario regarding BAH, but all of them are cases of "they are married and one needs to move out pending divorce".

Is there some other aspect of your situation that isn't clear?

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made May 5 at 2023 9:42 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 05 May 2023 09:42:24 -0400

Your leadership has the ability to take care of you and either do not understand the means to do so or just do not want to. One of the things I loved best about being a field grade is I could take someone like you and make people do you right. SFC Private RallyPoint Member will be able to provider better recommendations to get your unit to assist you.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made May 5 at 2023 11:51 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Fri, 05 May 2023 11:51:28 -0400

Are you able to break your lease or rental agreement? If not it may be a moot point. Most of the places I lived as a junior enlisted had strict rules.
I suggest you ask your immediate leadership what you should and can do.
You will likely get some good advice on RP, but you will also see a bunch of trolls and barracks lawyers. Be careful before you take anyone's advice who isn't intimately familiar with your situation. Your team leader should be the first to weigh in, not some random veteran who doesn't know your whole story or your current unit policies.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made May 5 at 2023 3:17 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Fri, 05 May 2023 15:17:20 -0400

Are companies, troops, batteries not given enough barracks to house their units' personnel? Seems as if finding space for married troops a problem. Suppose a bunch of single replacements come in. I would suspect stopping BAH would just be a trip to post finance or company clerk submitting paper work.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 5 at 2023 3:51 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 05 May 2023 15:51:46 -0400

There are generally waivers for exveryyhing, in this case you are talking about using space set aside for someone else. If the command supported your request, what happens when they have a valid requirment for another Soldier. As for uncontested divorces, that is only a hope and a prayer prior to the signing. All to often Spouses are influenced by friends and Family convincing her that you owe more in the deal.

Any rate there are too many variables and as long as you are paid BAH you are not authorized a room. If you are sure of the uncontested divorce then stay at your current residence for the months bud get into the barracks in the back side.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2023 6:30 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 May 2023 18:30:55 -0400

When I was getting divorced, I was moved to the Geo Barracks until my divorce was finalized. All BAH was to go to the soon to be Ex. Once the divorce was done, and no longer receiving BAH, I was moved to the regular Barracks