Since the MN NG arranges housing for their IBOLC students through the IHG program, will I still receive BAH if I accept this arrangement?

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 15:51:44 -0500

Good afternoon,

I am receiving my commission in May, 2020. I branched Infantry and received my IBOLC report date of SEP 2020.

I am aware that the MN National Guard arranges housing for their IBOLC students through the IHG program.

I am curious if I will still receive BAH if I take this arrangement, or am I better off trying to find my own option?

Additionally, for those whom are either bound to Fort Benning for duty or current/former IBOLC students, what kind of things are there to do in/around post when free time is blessed upon us?

Thank you for your time.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Dec 4 at 2019 4:20 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 16:20:43 -0500

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I don’t have the expertise in Army matters to address your question but congrats on making the leap to becoming commissioned.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 4 at 2019 5:43 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 17:43:02 -0500

Based on what I observed from a distance while I was at Fort Benning long ago in training and/or attending graduations as late as 2007. Don't count on a lot of free time for the Infantry Officers Training basically it is similar to the Enlisted side as far as strictness and discipline. Columbus and Pheonix City, AL are both dumps as far as cities go (nothing has changed there). You definitely should visit the Infantry Museum on Fort Benning if your graduation is not held there. Forget the exit number it is Exit 7 or 9 I think on the Interstate headed down there has a real nice shopping mall with lots of good restaurants / hotels. As a soon to be future Infantry Officer you should look over the Airborne School and potentially inquire on RANGER school because you might be headed there next after you get your gold bars. Make sure your in shape running wise and expect initially to do a lot of running and perhaps an obstacle course or two. You'l probably also have to patrol through the swamp like the Enlisted had to as well, I am 6 foot 5' and the water was almost up to my upper chest at times.

Also, never complain in front of your men or team no matter how rough the suck is. Even after you get to your unit. Believe it or not when I was at the 101st there were a few West Point Cadets that had to learn that the hard way at a real Infantry unit where it will suck twice as bad as a training unit. You'll lose confidence of the Soldiers that follow you fast if you complain in front of them or don't attempt to always raise spirits among them. Once you lose the confidence of the Soldiers under you, bad things start happening. It is OK to make some mistakes, everyone expects that of a new LT, just do not repeat the same mistakes over and over again.