How hard would it be for me to live off-base with my wife at Fort Bliss as an E-2?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 16:48:32 -0500

I am an E-2 married and got my first duty station is Fort Bliss my wife got a house off base how hard would it be for me to live with her since we are married?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2018 4:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 16:52:38 -0500

Let's ask.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 24 at 2018 5:06 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 17:06:26 -0500

Have you asked your Chain of Comment yet SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member? How long before you hit time in grade and time in service for PFC/E-3? Does your Chain of Command know you're married? Were you married before or after you entered the service? Have you completed the SGLI and DD Form 93 Record of Emergency Data and if approved he will receive BAH and BAS (Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance for Subsistence). If your wife is working and already has the house then with both salaries you should be able to afford it.

There are calculators on line to show what your additional benefits will be as a Married PV2/E-2.

There should be no policy stopping you from living with your wife in a house that she owns or you both own and are paying for. You need to inform your Chain of Command immediately that you would like to reside off post with your wife and provide proof you can make ends meet. I don't see the Commander denying this request. That is based on my experience as a Commander.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 24 at 2018 5:20 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 17:20:26 -0500

Talk to an NCO ask him or her for help

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2018 6:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 18:02:53 -0500

Google BAH rates and go to the BAH calculator. Then look at housing areas around the post that fit within your BAH range.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 24 at 2018 6:13 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 18:13:14 -0500

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member if she "has a house" she must have signed a lease. Looks like you are stuck for the duration of the lease. So you'll get to find out how hard it will be. Dumb field grade questions:
1. Is she enrolled as a dependent in DEERS? Does she have a Military issued ID Card?
2. Is she currently enrolled in TRICARE?
3. Does your ERB reflect that you are married?
4. Are you currently drawing BAH? You will need to fill out a copy of the BAH verification form (DA5960) with a copy of the lease. Does your lease have a military clause in it?
5. As COL Mikel J. Burroughs asked, have you updated your DD93 and SGLI? You'll likely have to when you in process your unit.
6. Have you checked with the housing office at Ft Bliss as to whether that landlord has been removed from their referral list? I know it is Hard to believe but there are some unscrupulous landlords out there. Is that property listed on the Senior Commander of Ft Bliss Offlimits list? As a soldier you are prohibited from being there. Example: Fort Carson's has about 25 properties owned by landlord Alma Patrick that are off limits to soldiers.

Recommend you get a sponsor at Bliss and start sorting this out. I recommend any new soldier live on post until you are financially more secure. BAH just doesn't magically cover everything.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 24 at 2018 8:31 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 20:31:14 -0500

It is the norm. Take your marriage certificate, go to PAC and apply for BAH. Thank you for your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 9:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 21:20:21 -0500

Bliss is huge, as is El paso, you must consider where the house is vs where you work on poast. If the house is in the far East you will have traffic, west side will put you over the mountains, maskeet hills is getting getting out there with the distance.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 9:33 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 21:33:55 -0500

ask a higher up but who is telling you cant?.ask top if he says no , sorry

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2018 11:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 23:14:43 -0500

All good advice here. My 2-cents worth...because you look young, ensure you understand the responsibilities required, such as managing your finances. This is required regardless of rank, marriage status, or age. Talking to your other PV2 buddy may be fruitless, if are just as new as you. Talk to an NCO that has experience with this. If your NCO doesn't know, there are plenty of resources the Army offers. Invest in going to ACS now, to learn about financial responsibilities, before you find yourself asking for a loan. Bring your wife too, so she can share in being responsible and accountable. ACS offers classes all the time. Places off post love Soldiers because they know it's a guaranteed pay check, regardless if you pay or not, they will get their money. Be careful to pay your bills on time (auto pay helps). Good Luck!

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Dec 1 at 2018 2:58 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 02:58:49 -0500

First of all, be careful with El Paso. The east side of El Paso is the rougher side. That's the side Bliss is on. You might not want to live off post. Bliss has off-post housing north of the post. But it's not gated, and not pretty. Even on post my wife was confronted by a man in a van asking her if she wanted to see Mexico. I know many young service members think it's "a thing" to live off post. But when your out in White sands, you'll sleep better knowing your spouse is on post. Just be careful.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 11:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 23:27:43 -0500

Considering you said she already has a place you will be off base because she is not likely to be able to get out of the lease. Just know traffic trying get through the gates is hectic and no NCO is going to care that you live far you will have to at designated location at designated time on post would have probably been better as they have some nice places on base and you wouldn’t have to deal with traffic but looks like you guys leaped before you looked. Good luck

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2018 1:45 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 13:45:13 -0500

Divorce her before she divorces you and takes all your shit.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 6:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 18:35:29 -0500

Not hard at all just go live there