Can a married soldier forego BAH and stay in barracks until they are able to move their family?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:40:55 -0500

I am a newly married soldier and nit yet registed form any of the benefits, wife is also not in the country yet, can I forgo BAH and still live in the barracks until the tine in which I can get her here and move out?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 2:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:29:14 -0500

First things first - have you asked your leadership about this yet? Did you talk to your leadership before you asked this question on this forum?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 3:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:06:59 -0500

Here is the deal. For starters, you need to get your marriage stuff submitted now so that way you can get your wife enrolled in DEERS and get an ID when she rolls up.

As for staying in the barracks and not drawing BAH...well...this is a conversation you need to be having with your Platoon and Company Leadership. We here on RP can say YES or NO all day long, but the ultimate and final call will be done by your 1SG and Commander.

I'm also curious. Is this a mail order bride thing or did you travel out of the country as soon as you were done with AIT to marry this person?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 3 at 2022 5:15 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:15:36 -0500

Maybe it has changed but when I was active and got married, I 'registered' my wife with the US Army to get her an ID Card. My S1 started her BAH pay right after my LTC (1st field grade officer in my COC) signed off on it, which was a week after I got married then returned overseas to my unit. I lived in the NCO Barracks and my wife stayed in Texas until she arrived in Panama.
Any service member who is assigned to a permanent duty station within the continental United States who can't get into furnished government housing (AKA base housing). If you're stationed overseas, you'll receive OHA based on your dependency status.
Here's a link: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 8:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 20:04:12 -0500

You are required to enroll your spouse in DEERS immediately. You are also required to apply for BAH and support her financially. If you're receiving BAH you are not authorized to reside in the barracks unless you are OCONUS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 10:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 22:44:49 -0500

Good luck with your relocating of your family.

Response by MSG David Lambert made Jan 5 at 2022 1:12 PM

MSG David Lambert — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:12:55 -0500

If you are E1 through E4 you should be eligible to live in the barracks even if married until your wife joins you at your location. When I was in E4 was the magic number to qualify for base housing. E1 through E3 had to fend for themselves on their own with zero assistance from the Army. No quarters allowance nor basic allowance for subsistence (separate rations). Check with your NCO’s things may have changed since I was in.