Posted on May 18, 2014
Why does the Army discriminate against single soldiers?
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First let me say I am biased in my opinion since I am a single soldier. The Army stacks the deck against single soldiers, in a variety of ways. There are standards that single soldiers are forced to obey that married soldiers are not. Purely just because of their marriage.
Housing is my personal biggest area of concern being a single soldier. I am a 27 yr old college graduate. I get the same "rights" in my living quarters that a single 17/18 yr old straight out of high-school would get. If that same soldier is married, they get considerably more freedom, pay, and budget control than I do.
I as a single soldier get no say in where I live. At my current duty station the BAH for my rank and dependent status (Single, E-4) would be $1,068. So I essentially pay $1,068 dollars a month to live in the barracks. The barracks I live in have two separate bedrooms, with a common kitchen and bathroom area. Since there are two soldiers in each little barracks apartment, we collectively pay $2,136 a month for this set up. That is FAR more then what a similar apartment style would cost in the surrounding communities. If single soldiers were allowed to have BAH and live where they choose we could potentially save several hundred dollars a month by controlling our living expenses. That's not including the approximately $300 a month we are forced to pay for the DFACs.
There is also the issue of furniture in the barracks. Again we have no say, we get whatever the Army already has in the room. Personally I would love to have an actual nice mattress, instead of these cheap plastic blue ones.
Barracks inspections. I can't stand barracks inspections. The inspections are completely up to the person doing them and what they "think" the standard should be. One inspection your could be fine, the next one your getting lectured about how to make a bed. Last summer I had to write a 2 page paper for an LT about personal standards in the barracks. All because my bed didn't have hospital corners. (That morning when I get up I tossed my blanket off to the right of me, where it was just sorta crunched up against the wall running the length of my bed.) If I want to know what I am allowed to have and not have in my room, I have to read three different policy letters to find out. Division could allow something, Brigade could say no, and then Battalion have nothing about it at all. I get that lower commands are allowed to restrict privileges as they see fit. I'm just saying it's cumbersome to have to read three different levels policy to find out what is what.
It annoys me that I have to have periodic inspections(currently every morning before PT for my company) while married soldiers receive no inspections just because they are married. I get that they have a family, I just don't see why that should stop a squad leader from making a planned, announced, and visual walk-through of the house of the married soldier. Keeping the same standard of living as a single soldier should be part of the military life.
Meal Deductions. I don't think the DFACs are worth the $300 a month I have to pay. I hate having to "play" the "I am a Meal Card Holder" card to get lunch sometimes during work. It's usually followed by a married soldier saying "I'm working thru lunch, you don't see me bitching about wanting to leave for food". True. However when we miss our lunch it's gone. The money we paid is gone rather we ate that meal or not. Married people if they bring their lunch it'll still be there later. If they eat out, then well that's just money they didn't spend that day. They can use it tomorrow to get twice as much for lunch or eat somewhere more expensive depending on their budget.
We get no say in what sounds good for dinner. It's whatever the DFAC has. Sometimes that means either fried or grilled chicken. If they run out of one thing, it'll be whatever they have left. It's not right. It leaves married people with control over their diet and single soldiers with whatever the Army needed to clean out of the fridge.
The above is just Big Army things, the discrimination continues all the way down to the company level. At my company single soldiers who live in the barracks are not allowed to park in the lot in front of the company. Now our barracks is approximately 3/4 mile down the road. Our motor pool is another 3/4 mile the other direction. I find it silly that an entire parking lot is reserved for married people. Sure single soldiers can drive to work, but we have to park in the barracks across the street. Which is not the barracks we live in. Married people can't park in that same lot if the one in front of company is full? To a point I can understand the reasoning behind this, but single soldiers have to leave and run here and there just like our married counter-parts. Why should they get special parking treatment? I don't see anyone stopping married people from using the barracks washers and dryers to avoid buying their own/going to coin laundry mats. Why are married people allowed to dip their hands in our honey and slap ours away from theirs?
Like I said from the start I'm biased. I look over the fence and see greener grass. Perhaps this is all just one single soldier bitching and complaining.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Update FEB 2019: Since I originally posted this message, I have gotten married. My view on the subject has not changed. I want to respond to some of the overarching themes in everyone responses.
“Quit bitching/whining/complaining.” I feel there is a difference between logically laying out issues and grievances and just bitching about them. The number of leaders who contributions on this post/topic amounted to “quit saying words” is disheartening.
“Get married/Army will issue you a wife.” Saying to get married just to move out of the barracks is a failure of leadership. Those of you (in my opinion) with that mentally should reconsider what you do/did and what your job is/was. As a former Infantry NCO I have dealt with the countless issues that arise when a soldier quickly marries someone for the wrong reason (example: get out of the barracks). The domestic issues, spouse calling in to the Staff Duty, soldier isn’t training because of counseling/FAP/court/Divorce related nonsense, greatly diminishes readiness which the last I checked the Army still considers to be pretty important.
“I had more money/I wish I was back in the barracks/ but but bills! etc.” Bull. I wish I could challenge anyone who says that to actually prove it. As stated, I am married now. I have more money, flexibility, and financial freedom then I did as a single E-4. Now some of that is because I’m a higher rank. Part of it is because I use BAH as intended to cover housing/bills, my BAS for food, and having the control over how much I spend on those two items is very important. Also, my spouse works. I have come to realize that is less than common for married soldiers in the Army. However, I would argue that getting married and not having both spouses working is a decision that you made going in to it. I’m not arguing/stating if it’s the right or wrong choice. It’s what you decided worked for ya’ll. To me it’s the equivalent of a private going out and buying that 23% interest Mustang then complaining about how much money it costs and how he used to have it so much better without that car payment. If you choose (by getting married/having kids) to feed/house/care for additional people (spouse/kids) and yet do nothing to increase your income than yeah…you’ll have less money. That is a very poor argument for what the original post was about.
a. Hopefully ^above^ I’ve made my point clear and concise seems a little muddy to me, I guess we shall see in future comments.
“Move off post.” That’s not an option. Well I guess it is, however single soldiers still have to maintain the barracks room they get assigned, they still wouldn’t get the BAH entitlement, and they would have to still pay the DFAC out of their BAS. Do I need to continue on the ignorance of that statement? Sure, there’s a packet you can submit and ask to receive those allowances, I’ve only ever seen get accepted once and that was when my BDE changed from Light to Armored, only for E-5s, and it was suggested only if they were on orders and would be PCS’ing soon anyhow. They wanted non-PCS’ing E-5s still in the barracks. I don’t recall if I stated it in my original post but that unofficial additional duty of being an NCO at the barracks is crap. “You’re an NCO at the barracks keep everyone in line down there after work and on weekends”, thought that’s what CQ was for. I’ll also comment on the “single people off post would party to much/be late to formation/traffic at the gates/ get in trouble in town more” line of nonsense. It’s ignorant. Along with the “paying dues” comments.
Veterans- I appreciate you are still active in the boarder military community, and recognize that your time in the service paved the way for what we did/do/have accomplished today. However, pointing out how things were worse yesterday compared today and to “suck it up” is lazy. There is no reason we can’t keep pointing out things today to make tomorrow even better. I’m sure there is crap I can’t even fathom that ya’ll dealt with back in the 60s, 80s, and what have you that were fixed because of people continuing to bring the issue up.
Lastly, I’ve enjoyed reading the varied amount of responses everyone has on the topic. If mine come off as aggressive or across the line it was not my intention. When I posted the original stuff above 4+ almost 5 years ago I never expected it to get attention and still receive emails notifications years later. I’m fairly sure I’ve read 90% of the comments because Rally Point sends me an email every time someone comments. No I did not add that picture at the top, it’s the website. Sorry if you clicked on a Rally Point ad somewhere that linked to this post only to see it’s from 2014. I don’t control those. It’s the website. Yes I’m sure there are a few grammar and spelling errors. If you point it out at the beginning of a comment, I’m more likely to see it and correct the issue. Cheers to several more years of being told why I’m wrong.
Housing is my personal biggest area of concern being a single soldier. I am a 27 yr old college graduate. I get the same "rights" in my living quarters that a single 17/18 yr old straight out of high-school would get. If that same soldier is married, they get considerably more freedom, pay, and budget control than I do.
I as a single soldier get no say in where I live. At my current duty station the BAH for my rank and dependent status (Single, E-4) would be $1,068. So I essentially pay $1,068 dollars a month to live in the barracks. The barracks I live in have two separate bedrooms, with a common kitchen and bathroom area. Since there are two soldiers in each little barracks apartment, we collectively pay $2,136 a month for this set up. That is FAR more then what a similar apartment style would cost in the surrounding communities. If single soldiers were allowed to have BAH and live where they choose we could potentially save several hundred dollars a month by controlling our living expenses. That's not including the approximately $300 a month we are forced to pay for the DFACs.
There is also the issue of furniture in the barracks. Again we have no say, we get whatever the Army already has in the room. Personally I would love to have an actual nice mattress, instead of these cheap plastic blue ones.
Barracks inspections. I can't stand barracks inspections. The inspections are completely up to the person doing them and what they "think" the standard should be. One inspection your could be fine, the next one your getting lectured about how to make a bed. Last summer I had to write a 2 page paper for an LT about personal standards in the barracks. All because my bed didn't have hospital corners. (That morning when I get up I tossed my blanket off to the right of me, where it was just sorta crunched up against the wall running the length of my bed.) If I want to know what I am allowed to have and not have in my room, I have to read three different policy letters to find out. Division could allow something, Brigade could say no, and then Battalion have nothing about it at all. I get that lower commands are allowed to restrict privileges as they see fit. I'm just saying it's cumbersome to have to read three different levels policy to find out what is what.
It annoys me that I have to have periodic inspections(currently every morning before PT for my company) while married soldiers receive no inspections just because they are married. I get that they have a family, I just don't see why that should stop a squad leader from making a planned, announced, and visual walk-through of the house of the married soldier. Keeping the same standard of living as a single soldier should be part of the military life.
Meal Deductions. I don't think the DFACs are worth the $300 a month I have to pay. I hate having to "play" the "I am a Meal Card Holder" card to get lunch sometimes during work. It's usually followed by a married soldier saying "I'm working thru lunch, you don't see me bitching about wanting to leave for food". True. However when we miss our lunch it's gone. The money we paid is gone rather we ate that meal or not. Married people if they bring their lunch it'll still be there later. If they eat out, then well that's just money they didn't spend that day. They can use it tomorrow to get twice as much for lunch or eat somewhere more expensive depending on their budget.
We get no say in what sounds good for dinner. It's whatever the DFAC has. Sometimes that means either fried or grilled chicken. If they run out of one thing, it'll be whatever they have left. It's not right. It leaves married people with control over their diet and single soldiers with whatever the Army needed to clean out of the fridge.
The above is just Big Army things, the discrimination continues all the way down to the company level. At my company single soldiers who live in the barracks are not allowed to park in the lot in front of the company. Now our barracks is approximately 3/4 mile down the road. Our motor pool is another 3/4 mile the other direction. I find it silly that an entire parking lot is reserved for married people. Sure single soldiers can drive to work, but we have to park in the barracks across the street. Which is not the barracks we live in. Married people can't park in that same lot if the one in front of company is full? To a point I can understand the reasoning behind this, but single soldiers have to leave and run here and there just like our married counter-parts. Why should they get special parking treatment? I don't see anyone stopping married people from using the barracks washers and dryers to avoid buying their own/going to coin laundry mats. Why are married people allowed to dip their hands in our honey and slap ours away from theirs?
Like I said from the start I'm biased. I look over the fence and see greener grass. Perhaps this is all just one single soldier bitching and complaining.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Update FEB 2019: Since I originally posted this message, I have gotten married. My view on the subject has not changed. I want to respond to some of the overarching themes in everyone responses.
“Quit bitching/whining/complaining.” I feel there is a difference between logically laying out issues and grievances and just bitching about them. The number of leaders who contributions on this post/topic amounted to “quit saying words” is disheartening.
“Get married/Army will issue you a wife.” Saying to get married just to move out of the barracks is a failure of leadership. Those of you (in my opinion) with that mentally should reconsider what you do/did and what your job is/was. As a former Infantry NCO I have dealt with the countless issues that arise when a soldier quickly marries someone for the wrong reason (example: get out of the barracks). The domestic issues, spouse calling in to the Staff Duty, soldier isn’t training because of counseling/FAP/court/Divorce related nonsense, greatly diminishes readiness which the last I checked the Army still considers to be pretty important.
“I had more money/I wish I was back in the barracks/ but but bills! etc.” Bull. I wish I could challenge anyone who says that to actually prove it. As stated, I am married now. I have more money, flexibility, and financial freedom then I did as a single E-4. Now some of that is because I’m a higher rank. Part of it is because I use BAH as intended to cover housing/bills, my BAS for food, and having the control over how much I spend on those two items is very important. Also, my spouse works. I have come to realize that is less than common for married soldiers in the Army. However, I would argue that getting married and not having both spouses working is a decision that you made going in to it. I’m not arguing/stating if it’s the right or wrong choice. It’s what you decided worked for ya’ll. To me it’s the equivalent of a private going out and buying that 23% interest Mustang then complaining about how much money it costs and how he used to have it so much better without that car payment. If you choose (by getting married/having kids) to feed/house/care for additional people (spouse/kids) and yet do nothing to increase your income than yeah…you’ll have less money. That is a very poor argument for what the original post was about.
a. Hopefully ^above^ I’ve made my point clear and concise seems a little muddy to me, I guess we shall see in future comments.
“Move off post.” That’s not an option. Well I guess it is, however single soldiers still have to maintain the barracks room they get assigned, they still wouldn’t get the BAH entitlement, and they would have to still pay the DFAC out of their BAS. Do I need to continue on the ignorance of that statement? Sure, there’s a packet you can submit and ask to receive those allowances, I’ve only ever seen get accepted once and that was when my BDE changed from Light to Armored, only for E-5s, and it was suggested only if they were on orders and would be PCS’ing soon anyhow. They wanted non-PCS’ing E-5s still in the barracks. I don’t recall if I stated it in my original post but that unofficial additional duty of being an NCO at the barracks is crap. “You’re an NCO at the barracks keep everyone in line down there after work and on weekends”, thought that’s what CQ was for. I’ll also comment on the “single people off post would party to much/be late to formation/traffic at the gates/ get in trouble in town more” line of nonsense. It’s ignorant. Along with the “paying dues” comments.
Veterans- I appreciate you are still active in the boarder military community, and recognize that your time in the service paved the way for what we did/do/have accomplished today. However, pointing out how things were worse yesterday compared today and to “suck it up” is lazy. There is no reason we can’t keep pointing out things today to make tomorrow even better. I’m sure there is crap I can’t even fathom that ya’ll dealt with back in the 60s, 80s, and what have you that were fixed because of people continuing to bring the issue up.
Lastly, I’ve enjoyed reading the varied amount of responses everyone has on the topic. If mine come off as aggressive or across the line it was not my intention. When I posted the original stuff above 4+ almost 5 years ago I never expected it to get attention and still receive emails notifications years later. I’m fairly sure I’ve read 90% of the comments because Rally Point sends me an email every time someone comments. No I did not add that picture at the top, it’s the website. Sorry if you clicked on a Rally Point ad somewhere that linked to this post only to see it’s from 2014. I don’t control those. It’s the website. Yes I’m sure there are a few grammar and spelling errors. If you point it out at the beginning of a comment, I’m more likely to see it and correct the issue. Cheers to several more years of being told why I’m wrong.
Posted in these groups: 
Barracks
BAS
Marriage
DiscriminationBetter Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) President
Barracks BAS Marriage DiscriminationBetter Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) President
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 488
This was a problem even back in my day, which I assure you was MANY days ago! :) Barracks life was so bad, I even took some friends up on an offer to move in with them. I just had to cook. Great deal, but I still had to stand barracks inspection.
No matter what you call it, at the end of the day, the married soldier gets more in his or her pocket at the end of the month.
But more than money, it's a quality of life issue. Barracks life lacks basic privacy, it's often substandard, it's overly restrictive and, it lends itself to the soldiers pulling that extra duty just because they are "handy" with "nothing better to do".
Is there a solution? I think maybe there is, at least partially. Instead of the military housing single soldiers in barracks, use apartments. Many buildings could be retrofitted and new ones built that way. Lower enlisted would have smaller "efficiency" apartments, NCOs larger ones. Soldiers could furnish and decorate them as they wish, with government furnishings or stuff they get on their own. Each unit would have at minimum a kitchenette and a 3/4 bath. I can see where inspections MIGHT be necessary, but they could be scheduled on a monthly basis so not nearly as intrusive. Restrictions concerning what is kept in the apartment could also be more along the line of what's legal (i.e. alcohol for 21 and older). Just a thought and I know it would cost some money, but I think it would go a long way toward helping the morale of the single soldier. It certainly would have helped mine.
No matter what you call it, at the end of the day, the married soldier gets more in his or her pocket at the end of the month.
But more than money, it's a quality of life issue. Barracks life lacks basic privacy, it's often substandard, it's overly restrictive and, it lends itself to the soldiers pulling that extra duty just because they are "handy" with "nothing better to do".
Is there a solution? I think maybe there is, at least partially. Instead of the military housing single soldiers in barracks, use apartments. Many buildings could be retrofitted and new ones built that way. Lower enlisted would have smaller "efficiency" apartments, NCOs larger ones. Soldiers could furnish and decorate them as they wish, with government furnishings or stuff they get on their own. Each unit would have at minimum a kitchenette and a 3/4 bath. I can see where inspections MIGHT be necessary, but they could be scheduled on a monthly basis so not nearly as intrusive. Restrictions concerning what is kept in the apartment could also be more along the line of what's legal (i.e. alcohol for 21 and older). Just a thought and I know it would cost some money, but I think it would go a long way toward helping the morale of the single soldier. It certainly would have helped mine.
SGT Beth Day
That's an even better idea. I really like the "company street" idea.
I got married after 3 years in the Army. The problems really depend on the unit and its leadership. You can't change the admin bullshit (the BAH and BAS, more freedom in inspections), but I never saw married Soldiers getting off earlier than the single Soldiers.
The barracks are legitimately terrible though. My biggest complaint was the washers and dryers. It would often take 6 months just to have a broken washer or dryer checked by DPW, and then 3-4 months to get it fixed or replaced. I called DPW because my washer was leaking and they brought a new one the next day. No paperwork on my end, no work order, no waiting list, no prior inspection. My laundry machines care for 1 Soldier, his Spouse, and their son. 1 set of laundry machines in the barracks serviced at least a dozen Soldiers. Seems like it'd be more cost-efficient to care for the single Soldiers in the Bs. Even without problems involving equipment (such as electrical issues, plumbing back-ups, and broken washers), quality of life sucks in the barracks. A lot of Soldiers just wanna party EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and be loud as fuck. No one wants to snitch to CQ or SD about the noise, so they just grit their teeth and bear it. Rooms have little to no privacy, so if I wanted to beat my private in private, I had to use the bathroom (if it had a lock on it) and hope I wasn't being loud. Bringing hook-ups to the barracks is the worst. It's like parading meat in front of a bunch of hungry jackals.
The DFAC is terrible too. With the exception of the 7th Army NCOA DFAC and the Hohenfels Training Area DFAC, every one I've been too has been terrible. I'm pretty sure all Army meals come in bags, within boxes, and they just get boiled, like they think they're cooking sous-vide. The Army doesn't really work at repaying Soldiers who miss meals because of work requirements, the choices are often unhealthy as fuck, the lines are long, and the rules are Byzantine (like DFACs insisting you can't wear PTs, or you can't wear a tan or brown undershirt as a shirt in civilian attire. FUCK YOU GIMME MY FOOD). Not to mention every other post on USAWTFM is about terribly unsafe, undercooked, or spoiled food.
As a team leader, I tried my best to mitigate these issues. I invited my team over to lunch or dinner every now and then to get some home-cooked meals. I made my standards very clear on room inspections when they first came to my team, and I kept the rules within common-sense: no filth, no trash outta the trash can, clean your toilet, keep it neat. I didn't care about hospital corners or white-glove dusting, unless higher was inspecting, and I made that clear to them as soon as I knew about it. Shit, I got mad at other leaders making them take the trash out every single day. If a dude just threw an empty BK burger wrapper, 2 cotton swabs, and an empty can of Coke in the trash, it didn't really need to go out next day. That just eats into their budget. I volunteered to stay behind on over-lunch details (even as a SPC), so the single guys could actually get the chance to sit and eat.
Like everything else in the Army, it's all on your leadership. Some leaders mitigate the Suck, some dry-fuck you in the ass for shits and gigs.
The barracks are legitimately terrible though. My biggest complaint was the washers and dryers. It would often take 6 months just to have a broken washer or dryer checked by DPW, and then 3-4 months to get it fixed or replaced. I called DPW because my washer was leaking and they brought a new one the next day. No paperwork on my end, no work order, no waiting list, no prior inspection. My laundry machines care for 1 Soldier, his Spouse, and their son. 1 set of laundry machines in the barracks serviced at least a dozen Soldiers. Seems like it'd be more cost-efficient to care for the single Soldiers in the Bs. Even without problems involving equipment (such as electrical issues, plumbing back-ups, and broken washers), quality of life sucks in the barracks. A lot of Soldiers just wanna party EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and be loud as fuck. No one wants to snitch to CQ or SD about the noise, so they just grit their teeth and bear it. Rooms have little to no privacy, so if I wanted to beat my private in private, I had to use the bathroom (if it had a lock on it) and hope I wasn't being loud. Bringing hook-ups to the barracks is the worst. It's like parading meat in front of a bunch of hungry jackals.
The DFAC is terrible too. With the exception of the 7th Army NCOA DFAC and the Hohenfels Training Area DFAC, every one I've been too has been terrible. I'm pretty sure all Army meals come in bags, within boxes, and they just get boiled, like they think they're cooking sous-vide. The Army doesn't really work at repaying Soldiers who miss meals because of work requirements, the choices are often unhealthy as fuck, the lines are long, and the rules are Byzantine (like DFACs insisting you can't wear PTs, or you can't wear a tan or brown undershirt as a shirt in civilian attire. FUCK YOU GIMME MY FOOD). Not to mention every other post on USAWTFM is about terribly unsafe, undercooked, or spoiled food.
As a team leader, I tried my best to mitigate these issues. I invited my team over to lunch or dinner every now and then to get some home-cooked meals. I made my standards very clear on room inspections when they first came to my team, and I kept the rules within common-sense: no filth, no trash outta the trash can, clean your toilet, keep it neat. I didn't care about hospital corners or white-glove dusting, unless higher was inspecting, and I made that clear to them as soon as I knew about it. Shit, I got mad at other leaders making them take the trash out every single day. If a dude just threw an empty BK burger wrapper, 2 cotton swabs, and an empty can of Coke in the trash, it didn't really need to go out next day. That just eats into their budget. I volunteered to stay behind on over-lunch details (even as a SPC), so the single guys could actually get the chance to sit and eat.
Like everything else in the Army, it's all on your leadership. Some leaders mitigate the Suck, some dry-fuck you in the ass for shits and gigs.
You all do realize that all those regulations dictating what can and cannot be done in the barracks were put in place mostly because young soldiers, sailors, marines, and airman could not maintain government quarters to a reasonable level right? And as always, it's not all of them as a whole, for the most part room inspection have always go e reasonably well. The additional restrictions by command are generally put in place as more of a knee jerk reaction to first sergeants and commanders being briefed the same careless negligence being committed by a relative few. A lot if it stems frim poorly maintained common areas over individual rooms. Usually perpetrated by the same individuals that can't seem to maintain their own rooms and continue the pig pen behavior into those areas. If the common areas are a fan mess, it is assumed to be the entire barracks that is failing to live up to standards. Therefore, in order to correct the issue, stiffer policies are put into place while it is expected that those living in the barracks will police themselves. However, as is often the case, just as these harsher policies are to be lifted, some other jackass ruins it for all.
I agree 100% everything in the dorms just sucks, room inspection we I became a Senior NCO and had to conduct room insp with the First Shirt I about lost my nut when he started going though a female's dresser he has no business knowin what color underwear she has. Then the whole food meal card great eat ate the same place 3 times a day 365 a year. That card should be like a charge card money's put in it every month and you can eat where you want. Pay sure you get free room and food try to explain that to a car dealership when you try to get a loan they look at total pay and that's it. Dorms are getting better in my day it was 3 to a room no kitchen so they are trying. You just have to do your time and get enough rank to move out or get married. I feel your pain been there done that.
"I have a degree and I'm older, I shouldn't have to live in the squalor of the barracks." (I'm paraphrasing).
That's where I started to not care. First, no one cares about your degree. It doesn't make you any better at your MOS. If you want more pay based solely on an arbitrary piece of paper and zero other salient facts, become a 2LT. The age point is even more stupid.
I get where you are coming from to a point. I was single for my first 10 years in the Army. Married Soldiers do less work and their wives have WAY too much influence over what happens in the unit.
That's where I started to not care. First, no one cares about your degree. It doesn't make you any better at your MOS. If you want more pay based solely on an arbitrary piece of paper and zero other salient facts, become a 2LT. The age point is even more stupid.
I get where you are coming from to a point. I was single for my first 10 years in the Army. Married Soldiers do less work and their wives have WAY too much influence over what happens in the unit.
If he thinks he's got it tough now, let him try an open squad bay for a little while with 50 other guys. Do away with that semi-private kitchen and give him a wall locker and a footlocker. It could be worse.
First of all, I’m sure my opinion doesn’t mean a “hill of beans” because I am no longer on active duty or in the military. The whole time I served in the Army, I was a single soldier. Yes, IT sucked quite a bit being in the barracks (until I became an NCO and got my own room) because of all the “knuckleheads” that did EVERYTHING to annoy each other…and I’m sure you know what I mean. I didn’t get the privilege of moving off-post until I was a SSG. Living in military housing, either on-post or off-post is NO bed of roses either. The SAME “knuckleheads” that are in the barracks, also live in military housing. They too, do EVERYTHING to annoy each other…including their dependents! I’ve heard yelling, loud music, kids and teens being rude to adults, fighting, drugs…do I need to say more? I have no idea what the answer is, but either deal with it, or leave the military. I don’t recommend getting married just to move off-post…that just causes MORE drama! Again, I’m sure my opinion doesn’t mean a “hill of beans” because I am no longer on active duty or in the military.
A leader ensures his people get fed. End of story. Leaders exist to serve those in their charge. You CAN make a difference by being that leader for your charges so that they will lead theirs by your example.
Read through several post's. As a retired Air Force member I started out in the barracks/dorms as well. in 1988 we had to share a room with another individual and share a bathroom with two more. Use of barracks/dorms for single members was based on occupancy rate. If the rates were above 95% the higher ranking E-4's had an option to live in local community. I lived in barracks/dorms my first four years. When our occupancy was above 95% they gave us the option to move out. Guess what, I did. As for missing meals when on meal card I missed several. I just sucked it up and went to food court or downtown to grab something. When I moved to my own apartment I had to provide all for myself. As for room inspections, yeah I survived through them and pressed on, even when many would fail. All of us had to be in Service Dress outside our rooms at 0700 on a Saturday.
Later in my career (about 14 years) I did get married and start a family. Fortunately I owned the home. But due to PCS move we sold it. At new location (2006) housing costs were about doubled. We had a choice of ONLY two homes in base housing. One was built in late 40s/early 50s and maybe 1,000 sq ft, another built in 70s with 1,500 sq ft. Not much of a choice. First 2 months we battled German cockroaches before housing office would do anything. We sprayed, used insect bombs, traps you name it nothing worked. After about a month of treatments they disappeared. During that time the fridge went out, hot water went out while I was TDY, air conditioning went out often as well.
Most individuals who have served have had it harder than you or I.
Now that I'm retired I can say is tough it out, get promoted and move out.
Or I can say buckle up buttercup, or hit the bricks.
Later in my career (about 14 years) I did get married and start a family. Fortunately I owned the home. But due to PCS move we sold it. At new location (2006) housing costs were about doubled. We had a choice of ONLY two homes in base housing. One was built in late 40s/early 50s and maybe 1,000 sq ft, another built in 70s with 1,500 sq ft. Not much of a choice. First 2 months we battled German cockroaches before housing office would do anything. We sprayed, used insect bombs, traps you name it nothing worked. After about a month of treatments they disappeared. During that time the fridge went out, hot water went out while I was TDY, air conditioning went out often as well.
Most individuals who have served have had it harder than you or I.
Now that I'm retired I can say is tough it out, get promoted and move out.
Or I can say buckle up buttercup, or hit the bricks.
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