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?

2018-07-29T22:02:56-04:00

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 ?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2018 9:26 PM

2018-07-29T21:26:34-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2018 10:35 PM

2018-07-29T22:35:04-04:00

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

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.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jul 30 at 2018 9:41 AM

2018-07-30T09:41:18-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-07-30T09:44:58-04:00

From what I read last year, they stopped geographical bachelor's in the barracks.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-announces-end-to-geographic-bachelors-3353934

According the Army Regulation 420-1, Army Facilities Management page 68, “Soldiers entitled to BAH at the “with dependent” rate, who are voluntarily separated from their Family members, are not authorized assignment to Un-accompanied Personnel Housing (Permanent Party) in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. This affects all permanent party categories and all ranks except for chaplains as set forth in paragraph 3–18e. Garrison com-manders retain the authority to identify and assign key and essential person-nel to UPH.”

This being said Geographical bachelors are required to live off the installation at the BAH with dependent rate for the location that they are stationed at.

So you will not be able to live in the barracks according to this change. She doesn't get BAH - you get the BAH. What you do with your BAH is up to you.

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.