Posted on Mar 11, 2015
Should we really get BAH and BAS if we are deployed?
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This will surely be a heated debate. As leaders we are looking for ways to be smart with our money, so why do we all get full BAH and BAS when we are deployed? We are provided with housing and food without any costs to us overseas. So should we be given BAH and BAS while deployed?
BAH
Deployment
Military Pay
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 122
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I know there are those that will continue to promulgate the old adage "If the Army would have wanted you to have a family then they would have issued you one." Well, in my opinion with as many services that are provided for families, and as many senior leaders saying "You enlist the Soldier, you re-enlist the family" the old adage is hogwash.
The only reason that one should receive BAH while deployed, other than providing Housing to his/her dependents, is if there is a mission related reason that you must maintain your domicile while deployed.
The only reason that one should receive BAH while deployed, other than providing Housing to his/her dependents, is if there is a mission related reason that you must maintain your domicile while deployed.
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MAJ (Join to see)
The Army pays BAH for active duty enlisted soldiers when they deploy. They just pay the check to the housing agency rather than the Soldier. The barracks sit empty at a cost to the Government. Anyone suggesting that a mobilized Soldier should have to give up their residency for a deployment doesn't have a faint clue on what Soldiers have to deal with and you ARE a poor leader, the kind that toxify and drain our force. Particuarly with reservists and national guardsmen when deployed have no option of on post housing and cannot reasonable be asked to move their entire HHG's. Same goes for off post active Soldiers. It would be preferable for them to move on post but that is just not practical in most short suspense situations. Active Commanders should use scruitiny on who they allow to live off post prior to a deployment to avoid the issue. But the cost of a privatized barracks and an off post domicile are very similar. Uncle Sam still pays the bill for empty privatized barracks on post.
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LTC (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) I appreciate the fact that you use one statement to call me a toxic leader in a passive aggressive way.
The fact that the barracks are privatized in most places does mean that they are going to get their money from the Army regardless.
I hadn't really taken the reservist and the guardsmen into my previous comment, and you and CW3 (Join to see) reminded me that forgot something.
Again, Uncle Sam is going to pay the bill for privatized barracks, but he pays a flat fee for the barracks whether they are full or not, whether Soldiers are deployed or not. He does not necessarily need to pay for rent on a house for a deployed single w/ no dependents active duty service member. Might be more hassle than it is worth, but it is just a thought.
The fact that the barracks are privatized in most places does mean that they are going to get their money from the Army regardless.
I hadn't really taken the reservist and the guardsmen into my previous comment, and you and CW3 (Join to see) reminded me that forgot something.
Again, Uncle Sam is going to pay the bill for privatized barracks, but he pays a flat fee for the barracks whether they are full or not, whether Soldiers are deployed or not. He does not necessarily need to pay for rent on a house for a deployed single w/ no dependents active duty service member. Might be more hassle than it is worth, but it is just a thought.
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CW3 (Join to see)
So what's your solution to the Reservist and Guardsmen problem?? Do we just tell your average Reservist "No BAH for you for a year, because reasons!"?????
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LTC (Join to see)
CW3 (Join to see) I don't think so, I think there are people smarter than me on the guard and reserve issue that can better solve that can of worms.
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I say no. If you have a spouse she can work to pay the bills. There are lots of single mothers who support them selves.
I am a single soldiers e5 I don't get bah and have a house paying out of pocket.
If I can so can married soldiers and single senior enlisted can as well. In the civilian world no one is covering another man's rent.
I personally thing married or not regardless of rank. If you can't pay bills out of pocket have them build married soldier barracks and senior nco barracks.
I am a single soldiers e5 I don't get bah and have a house paying out of pocket.
If I can so can married soldiers and single senior enlisted can as well. In the civilian world no one is covering another man's rent.
I personally thing married or not regardless of rank. If you can't pay bills out of pocket have them build married soldier barracks and senior nco barracks.
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BAH is part of our overall pay...I don't take a pay cut at work depending where I'm working. Per diem is like BAS. If you're able to have access to food you don't need it. That being said, MRE's don't qualify as a hot meal. They're a last resort, let's be honest.
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All service members get BAS. State side or deployed. The Active single soldiers in quarters have meal deductions. Active duty that are PCS orders in theater rather than TCS orders will have meal deductions even if they are married. National Guard and Reserve will have no meal deductions.
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Because we still have a family in a house back home that didn’t deploy with us to pay for.
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In addition, if you take away BAH you take a massive pay cut while deployed. What sense would that make. And it's not just those with dependents, single E6 and above often buy houses. Mortgages don't go away while deployed.
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) is BAH really pay? I know many people treat it like that, but it is to be used for housing. If they provide it....
Not advocating it one way or another as I enjoyed saving money while deployed as most do.
Not advocating it one way or another as I enjoyed saving money while deployed as most do.
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If the goal here is to save money, how about we take away everyone's printers. I could certainly do without the reams of printed emails, enormous packets, and various bureaucratic junk I'm handed each day.
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If you would like to pay military members for what they deserve during deployment they should lose BAS but be given about a 450% base pay increase for extra hours worked.
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This is a selfish question. Whether or not the Soldier has dependents should have no bearing on his or her BAH. The Service-member has their own personal financial obligation that need their attention, and oh by the way they can do whatever they want with their money, whether to make investments or assist their relatives. Most single Soldiers take necessary and dangerous risk to keep us safe in combat, so whoever post this I believe your intentions are selfish.
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Absolutely! Otherwise Soldiers would be taking a pay cut with increased risks. And what would be the point of that? Also, having dependents is immaterial, especially when Soldiers are assuming the same risk.
Did you know that Soldiers, despite being provided food and shelter, get full BAH and BAS when they go to a military school?
Did you know that Soldiers, despite being provided food and shelter, get full BAH and BAS when they go to a military school?
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