I will be getting married this Tuesday and will be getting off-post housing. Will NCOs be able to inspect, like in the barracks?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 13:37:26 -0400

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 30 at 2016 1:51 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 13:51:56 -0400

Only time I did them was when we got a call from housing or a landlord. Welfare check and by that time it was so extreme the guys basically were chaptered over it and whatever else was going on.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 30 at 2016 2:04 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 14:04:39 -0400

Therè are ways for your Chain of Command to check on your on post housing, but in practice, it just isn't done. If they are checking on you, they are checking others. Or they have a specific wellness issue with your family, and they send someone under the Familiy Advocacy Program. It will not be frequent and it will be targeted. There is nothing to say that one of your leaders will not roll by just to check on you just for GP, just to see how you are living. They are supposed to do that. They may swing by to see your new quarters to ensure you are ok, the quarters issued to you are in good repair, and your family is settling in, especially being a newly wed. Your commander or first sergeant and or their spouse/FRG may swing by with some welcome gesture. My post was small enough, I visited each resident at one point or another as the Garrison Commander.

If you are worried about this, go talk to your first line leader and legal. It varies post to post, whether it is privatized and which ground lease the Army is using with which partners. There is not a simple yes or no. There is nothing to say that a leader from your unit won't knock on the door and ask to come in, but they are not checking to see that the bed is made or if you hangers are all facing the same direction. They are looking to see if you are surviving. Food in the fridge, the house is not an unsanitary mess. Family members are cared for etc. children are safe.

If you live on post, you will be subject to exterior upkeep standards from your area mayor that if you fail to comply, your first sergeant will get a call. Those will be inspecte by the mayor and NCOs from Garrison.

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Oct 30 at 2016 2:23 PM

SSG Steven Mangus — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 14:23:52 -0400

Yes, however it is not usually the practice. As long as you are getting BAH you are subject to inspection of your quarters. The unit will not just come over and say I am here let me in..I wouldn't worry to much about it, just don't put yourself in a position where the CoC will consider it..

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 2:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 14:39:35 -0400

Thank you! I just wanted to know if my COC was going to be invading my privacy every week when they check the barracks too. Thank you again

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 30 at 2016 2:52 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 14:52:36 -0400

they can't touch you if you are in civilian off post housing... unless there are changes to the Regs... It just has to meet initial standards or Government Housing standards or Regs... there is Usually a List of approved Housing facilities for service members to move into... ...

Response by MSgt Ken Flood made Oct 30 at 2016 4:24 PM

MSgt Ken Flood — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 16:24:04 -0400

Not without cause, I did it only once. My daughter was 13 and was asked to babysit for a junior and neighbor. when she returned home she told me of the horrible conditions at their quarters. It smelled of urine and feces, was infested with fleas and cockroaches. After I went over to his quarters to see for myself, I confirmed what she had reported to me. I counselled him and gave him 30 days to clean it up. I reported it to our CO who agreed with my actions. When he didn't do as instructed it was taken out of my hands.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 30 at 2016 5:10 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 17:10:32 -0400

The 101st generally won't bother you with off post housing unless you give them cause. They are more interested in training and getting the mission done. I would not presume that other units would not. Ha, that reminds me going to my Section Leaders House at Ft. Campbell and he was wearing a grass skirt and was barefoot. I guess it was custom in Somoa. Anyways, never saw it happen at Ft. Campbell when I was there unless you give them cause to check. Real life example, driving a brand new car and showing up at the unit with your infant kid improperly clothed for the weather and without shoes......thats giving them cause.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Oct 30 at 2016 5:14 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 17:14:29 -0400

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. I found when I was in about 45 years ago even though I was in Korea we were allowed to live outside of the compound but we had to maintain our bunk, wall lockers, foot locker, etc. I am sure that was a lot different than CONUS duty was..

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Oct 30 at 2016 5:49 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 17:49:34 -0400

Don't make your family life an issue and their will be no reason for command involvement at your off-post residence. Pay your bills, take care of your family responsibilities, don't turn your residence into party central and be on time for formation and the commander will have little reason to check your living conditions. Keep in mind that as an E-2 the off post billeting is a privilege, not a right so do not abuse the freedom.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Oct 30 at 2016 6:24 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 18:24:18 -0400

You might find the information paper at the following link quite helpful:

http://www.knox.army.mil/garrison/supportoffices/sja/docs/papers/adminlaw/HealthWelfInsp.pdf

HealthWelfInsp.pdf

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Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 7:20 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:20:02 -0400

They are correct. I've been married and living on post for about a year now and have never been inspected or anything. It's nice to be honest.

Response by COL David Turk made Oct 30 at 2016 7:39 PM

COL David Turk — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:39:08 -0400

He's about to learn he has dual (joint) commands!

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 30 at 2016 8:54 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 20:54:19 -0400

They will if you give them a reason to.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 9:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:13:09 -0400

At the end of the day yes they can but a memorandum needs to be signed allowing permission, now with that being said as you've seen several others say come to work on time, and don't give them a reason to want to check and you'll be fine.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Oct 30 at 2016 9:27 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:27:04 -0400

No they won't inspect your place but they can require you to bring in your uniforms and also inspect your
All your field gear TA 50.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 30 at 2016 9:40 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:40:35 -0400

A health and welfare inspection is applicable to everyone regardless of where they live. 24-48 hours notice and be ready. They've been done to me, and I've done them on off post Soldiers under me. It's not a dick move. If you live like shit in the barracks, there is a good chance you'll live like that off post, and to keep the CO out of it, NCO led H and W's are important to see and verify a Soldiers and their families welfare. Remember this; housing is not for you, it is for your family. If you cannot control how you and your family live within loose standards, you can find yourself back in the barracks. Don't be that guy. Please.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Oct 30 at 2016 10:08 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:08:04 -0400

In my 21 yrs in the army I never had any one come to my quarters or off post housing and as an NCO I never had a reason to do that either.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 10:45 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:45:09 -0400

In a word, no. However, that is not to say your Sgt won't come by for a cup of joe or just a little chat. It may just be to know how to get to your place in case of a comm-out recall (used to do them all the time, had to know where my people lived). Be sure your new spouse knows where things are on post and who she can call if she has questions, trust me, she will.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 10:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:57:28 -0400

There's some instances that leadership inspects off-post and even on-post housing. It's like a command prerogative. Trust me, they been doing this to ensure everyone Is living favorably . its also a health and welfare. I've seen before in Fort Eustis, VA that one of the houses there has "poop" inside the house, molds on a/c's, I've also seen one of my buddies when I was an E-4 that their house is like that TV show, Hoarder: Buried Alive. It was really nasty and clothes both dirty and you cant even tell which one is clean because its scattered on the floor. I was even paid a visit by my commander to check my house. But of course its up to you if you will get permission to your NCOS. But trust me, just live clean and I cant dictate how you gonna live your house but home inspections are also a must

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 10:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:59:26 -0400

Just stay clean. When you become an NCO you already squared away, knew whats wrong and whats right

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Oct 31 at 2016 12:17 AM

Capt Michael Greene — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:17:37 -0400

Yes, they can. If it's military housing, the Housing Officer can inspect it anytime, or give maintenance crews the key--and they might accidentally open the door while you and your new wife are busy on the couch. True stories.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 31 at 2016 10:12 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:12:16 -0400

No. There are no more Field Days, you are officially considered an adult. That being said though, that doesn't give you clearance to live like a slob, because I don't know if you've ever rented before, but they still do move in and move out inspections and you will be liable for any cleaning costs or damages if it's not up to standards.

Also, if you feel this puts you out of reach of your NCOs, you are wrong. If they feel something is amiss, a good NCO will swing by to check on you. Whether it's a change in your performance, behavior, conduct, etc. If he feels you are living in an unhealthy home environment, he might drop by to make sure you're ok.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Oct 31 at 2016 10:30 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:30:03 -0400

No.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 10:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:44:46 -0400

Will they be able to? Yes. Will they actually inspect? Unless you give them a reason to inspect, no.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Oct 31 at 2016 2:02 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:02:16 -0400

During my 14 years in the Air Force I only made one check off base and that was because I was told that he was having problems at home and didn't have a car that day. After bringing him on base military police detained him until the local police showed up and took him away for raping a minor. looking back I was really there to make sure he was away from the house so they could get his family out since he has a 3 year old daughter and so they could gather evidence.

Living off base is nothing like the barracks, as long as there is no worry about suicide you basically will only see someone from your unit if you invite them over for a party or to hang out.

Response by PO1 Eric Booker made Oct 31 at 2016 2:46 PM

PO1 Eric Booker — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:46:43 -0400

Yes...and she better know how to stand at attention when it happens. Start training her early. When the kids come along make sure they know the chain of command before their ABC's and replace their cartoons with power point.

Kidding...they won't mess with you unless you either need it(you're a pig) or you want it(yard of the quarter type award).

Good luck and congrats!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 4:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:54:27 -0400

No we cannot inspect off-post housing or even most on-post housing units (they are privatized) unless we have permission from the occupant or the land lord.

We can ask, and the Soldier can tell us no. If we still think something is going on, we have to notify the proper agency, i.e. provost marshal, local PD, Family Advocacy, etc.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Oct 31 at 2016 5:13 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 17:13:03 -0400

I was a roommate to a soldier when I first got out and his unit did welfare checks cause he was a slob in the barracks; his NCO's thought they could come in and cause havoc, well, I told them next time they entered MY home, there better be respect towards me (since it was MY home) and when I asked if 1SG was still this person, their faces went white and next time they treated me better then gold cause First SGT told them she called me to say my men disrespected her.

You have NO worry about that happening and just enjoy the new lives together, cause the adventure is going to be worth it all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 6:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 06:25:33 -0400

Yes they can and should, BUT it is not the same as living in the barracks. It should be done by establishing a date and time and what they are looking for is does your family have the things they need like food in the fridge instead of just beer and frozen pizzas do you have the utilities turned on. Do the kids have clean diapers and clothes. Is it a safe house to live in or should it be condemned. They are not looking for cleanliness although if there is dog shit all over the floor something should be said.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Nov 1 at 2016 7:39 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:39:50 -0400

They can come see it but not in the same way as inspecting your barracks.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 8:16 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 08:16:02 -0400

I can't say on Army based stuff but I know within the Navy world, that you can be inspected but it's only due to some speculation. They are not random. When I lived in military housing for almost 2 years, I never got inspected (from what I know). You just have the basic before you move in inspection done by you to check for any issues with the place and then when you leave when they come and check to see what damage ya'll have done. It's no big deal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 9:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 09:24:57 -0400

Yes, where do you Live? I'm coming over right now!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 9:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 09:50:10 -0400

Can they? Yes, they can. Will they? Don't give them a reason to. For the most part off post personnel are left alone unless they are dirty or they see family issues where you need to get pulled back into the barracks. For example, domestic violence, possibly suicidal, your wife calling saying there is no food at the house, or always smelling bad like you don't shower. The check will primarily be for health and welfare of the Soldier

If you are worried about them harassing your spouse, if they come to inspect and you are not home, your spouse has the right to say no, leave my residence. That doesn't mean hide in the closet and tell your spouse to say you're not home, because you can get in trouble for that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 11:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 11:45:46 -0400

Yes NCO's will be able to inspect your home off post. Most likely they won't unless you ask them to look at your home before you sign the lease.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 12:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 12:08:03 -0400

You are worried about in home inspections? Hahaha. I'd be more worried about where you are going to live, how much can you afford, getting insurance setup for your spouse. SGLI, SGLV. Best man, wedding list goes on. Don't worry about stupid things focus on what's important

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 12:24 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 12:24:07 -0400

Bottom line they have to get a signed order by the CG to inspect your resident if you reside off post, 24 hrs notice to inspect on post. The fact that you are asking though seems off and makes me think you may need the supervision..

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 12:59 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 12:59:50 -0400

AR 190-22 CHapter 2 says No, they cannot. Military authority starts and stops at the front gate. To inspect off-post housing, that requires the same procedures civilian law enforcement require; probable cause leading to a warrant being issued by a civilian judge, and served by civilian law enforcement. Military cannot participate in civilian search warrant cases, but can observe if the civilian LE allows it.

The whole "The Military pays your BAH, so they can inspect your housing" argument is pure BS. If that were true, then anything you bought using your pay would be liable to government search and seizure.

Just because something sketchy might have been done in the past does not make that act, or any similar future act right. Know the regs, or pay the price. Or just check with your SJAG before doing anything that might get you in trouble/relieved/thrown in jail.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Nov 1 at 2016 5:21 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 17:21:10 -0400

I inspected my guys along with my first sergeant. Unless regulations are changed, health and welfare inspections apply on and off post.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 6:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 18:00:59 -0400

As you can tell by the mixed responses inspections are kind of a grey area. Housing regulation sas you can but civilian laws say no. So the unofficial answer is yes your supervisor or someone in your chain of command might stop by for a "visit" ... maybe. Is it going to be like the barracks .. no. Congratulations on the upcoming marriage, worry about what is most important, your family or soon to be family.

Response by SSG Ronald Sheehan made Nov 12 at 2016 12:47 AM

SSG Ronald Sheehan — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 00:47:24 -0500

No, but your commander can order a health & welfare inspection if the need arises.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made May 7 at 2017 2:28 AM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Sun, 07 May 2017 02:28:10 -0400

No. It's your house.

Response by SSG Jess Peters made May 1 at 2018 9:00 PM

SSG Jess Peters — Tue, 01 May 2018 21:00:52 -0400

No. Not at all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 6:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 May 2018 06:35:37 -0400

Yes, Health and Welfare, keep your place clean, yard included, avoid any complaints , have food in you fridge, beer is not a food.

Response by SFC Nicole White made May 23 at 2018 3:52 AM

SFC Nicole White — Wed, 23 May 2018 03:52:02 -0400

Not unless you let them. You are off post. The military like the police cannot enter your home without one of two things: 1. A warrant or 2. Your permission. If your unit tells you otherwise speak to Jag. They can explain the legality of the situation to you and your unit command team.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 23 at 2018 9:12 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 23 May 2018 09:12:16 -0400

It use to be that we could do occasional inspections for living conditions- not to check on you/family per say, but to make sure you weren't living in a condemned dump by shyster landlords. And that landlords were living up to the contract-

Response by SFC Bill McFadden made Jul 17 at 2018 5:00 PM

SFC Bill McFadden — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 17:00:59 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2021 5:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 17:17:18 -0400

Response by PO3 Pamala McBrayer made Jan 20 at 2022 12:16 AM

PO3 Pamala McBrayer — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:16:04 -0500

No.