Posted on Jul 29, 2018
If I am married and my wife does not move with me, will I be able to receive BAH for her and still live in the barracks?
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23 married, want to join. Wife has job in San Diego that we cant afford to lose, if I join I know I'll have to be in the barracks, but will she recieve bah ?
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 3
It all depends on whether or not your unit has spare rooms. No one will know this unless you know the exact unit you are going to. If you are receiving BAH, they do not have to give you a barracks room. The priority obviously going to the single Soldiers. Have a plan for the worst case scenario.
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Like anything involving finance, your question has multiple answers.
When you arrive at your duty station you will receive BAH for your duty station location, not your spouse's. Since she lives in San Diego, it will probably be up to $1000 less. You will not be authorized to live in the barracks at all.
If you go overseas you may leave her and receive BAH for her location while you're gone.
Here's an article explaining the geographical bachelor thing.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-announces-end-to-geographic-bachelors-3353934
When you arrive at your duty station you will receive BAH for your duty station location, not your spouse's. Since she lives in San Diego, it will probably be up to $1000 less. You will not be authorized to live in the barracks at all.
If you go overseas you may leave her and receive BAH for her location while you're gone.
Here's an article explaining the geographical bachelor thing.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-announces-end-to-geographic-bachelors-3353934

Army Announces End to Geographic Bachelors
The Army has now announced an end to the geographic bachelor program. Soldiers with dependents, drawing a housing allowance can no longer live in barracks.
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Chances are, yes you will have to live in the barracks. As for receiving BAH, it is you that receives it, but given to the wife for the house/rent payments back in San Diego. Where you ever get stationed, you, again, will prolly end up in the barracks. If you don't want to stay in the barracks, you can request permission to get an apartment off post. Bear in mind approval may or may not be granted. By the way, just FYI, BAH (based off of being in San Diego) is $2445.00 with dependents and $2022.00 without dependents for an E-1 thru E-4. This is in addition to your monthly pay for grade.
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Dalton Hacker
Oh I have no problem living in the barracks(yet haha) if I still receive bah for her. I thought based off reading that if she voluntarily declined moving to family housing or moving with me then i won't recieve bah because I'll be in barracks, so to be absolutely clear ... if I join and I live in the barracks my wife in sd will still recieve bah bensfits from me ? Appreciate all the help, huge decision.
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Dalton Hacker
And that is a huge amount to add to that monthly if true, would make the decision a lot easier and I'd have piece of mind with my wife being comfortable.
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