Should deployed NG Soldiers receive BAH based on HOR, duty location (armory) or the higher of the two?

2016-02-04T00:06:49-05:00

NG Soldiers who live in high cost living areas can receive much higher BAH than Soldiers from small towns. The difference can be hundreds of dollars per month, for my location it is a $500 difference. I didn't question it until I recently read FAQ #26 at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqbah.cfm. What do you think? Please read FAQ # 26 as it is the base of the idea.

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Response by SFC William Farrell made Feb 4 at 2016 12:14 AM

2016-02-04T00:14:56-05:00

Unless they are on active duty, they shouldn't be receiving it.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 12:24 AM

2016-02-04T00:24:24-05:00

Are you serious? Why did so many people choose home of record?! I get BAH according to what the army sets and says is just. If I received BAH for home of record I would live in the nicest area!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 12:34 AM

2016-02-04T00:34:54-05:00

Unless you do 30 days you get the differential BAH rate anyway. I am not sure about the Army Guard. It should be based on your residence because the housing should offset the cost of living in your area for the mean house market. If I were to drill in LA but lived in podunk Baker CA, It would not make sense to get the higher BAH for LA.

On the other hand I could live in LA but drill in Riverside, so I would hate to get the lower rate. So the current system makes some sense.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 1:18 AM

2016-02-04T01:18:51-05:00

It should be based on your home of record. You are receiving the BAH to offset your current housing. For an example lets say we choose Duty Location and that we get $500 for BAH. If Person A lives in a low cost of living area $500 may cover his mortgage but for person B living in a higher end area it may only cover half. If we chose "whichever is higher" then person A gets enough for housing + pockets the extra. Person B is now getting enough to cover his mortgage but doesn't pocket any extra.

The best solution is to do it by home of record as that is the most fair option available. It should be enough to cover the housing for their particular home of record based on the cost of living.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 7:43 AM

2016-02-04T07:43:41-05:00

It should be HOR, if the residence is maintained throughout.
BUT...
The actual answer is that whatever location by zip code that the Guard establishes on your mobilization order is the one used for BAH.
I have seen this gamed by units and people many times to ensure a bigger BAH and/or CONUS COLA.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 8:48 AM

2016-02-04T08:48:40-05:00

For the reserves and National Guard its based on your zip code for HOR. There is NO duty station. On title 10 orders of course.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 11:34 AM

2016-02-04T11:34:46-05:00

I believe it probably has more to do with taking care of the mortgage that still has to be paid during deployment, no? HOR makes sure that the family still living at the home of record can afford to live there and makes up for the loss of income from the job the service member would normally perform as an M-day soldier.

Response by SGT Ronald Bacon made Feb 5 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-02-05T14:37:37-05:00

When I deployed and My unit received their BAH we had 2 PFC making more than our Company Commander because they lived in NYC and there BAH was more than my check was... At the time I would have said it should be the larger of the 2 but looking back and thinking what is right, BAH is for help with our housing not making money that is our base pay, lol. Good question I like reading the answers to these type of questions.