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
My son is 18 and still in AIT, and getting married this month. I cannot stress how much this is a factor in that decision.
wow i can't even begin to express how wrong I think most of what i have just read is! I am not Army. I am Marine Corps housed and fed (1972-1975) and I NEVER paid rent or chow. Heck that was part of the deal I got a whopping $110 plus housing and food which could have been a hole and c-rats but when on base a rack, locker and 3 hots a day. Of course free medical, dental etc. I did have to pay for my uniforms, civi clothes, dry cleaning, smokes (used to get 5 in each box of c-rats) etc. Anyway ... why would a soldier PAY for base housing and chow?
I honestly feel your pain. I came up thru the 80's and retired 2012. I've lived with the whole barracks being white glove inspection ready 24-7, all the rooms had to be dress right dress. Had to hide your stash of porn bc it offended the sensitivities of some Officer. Could only have 1 six pack of beer per person and 1 bottle of hard liquor. Having to do police call off post (GERMANY) at the Commissary/PX which was in the housing area with 99% usage by the married people. The Hey You details going thru with knocks on the doors in the barracks. Off post personnel using our communal showers after PT but never helping to clean them and them having their own special barracks room. We had TA-50 layouts in our rooms, which I found way better then having them outside on the grass or dead grass/dirt bc Soldiers bitched about it.
As far as the BAH and BAS is concerned, your off on the BAH on what you receive if you were ok'd to live off post bc of over population in barracks. You would only receive the single rate. With the landlords off post, they pay real close attention to what married people get and they raise the rent accordingly. So if you were able to get 1 or 2 guys to live in an apartment with you..you wouldn't be able to afford one at the single rate unless you went to the shady side of town. And BAS is only for YOU and not for the whole family if you were married and is only a supplement to help offset not pay for all of the cost. I never left hungry while in the barracks as a meal card holder. There is usually a lot to choose from for food. Though you will see chicken bc it's inexpensive. My NCO's always made sure we went to eat or bought pizza in the motor pool. As a meal card holder, what a lot of people will never tell you is that you can go back thru the line to get more food if your still hungry. All you need to do is go back and sign the sheet. I know this bc I had it as an extra duty before as an NCO. Also in the late 90's were where finally allowed to have microwaves in our rooms because MWR was shutting down all the companies "Red Dogs/Shack shacks" bc they felt that what they companies made belonged to the MWR community and they would distribute the money as they saw fit.
I firmly stated for years that ALL married Soldier in the rank of SGT and below had first dibs on on post housing. They are the ones most vulnerable because they don't make squat in base pay, they more than likely don't have furniture, dishes, bedding ect. So they get caught with that "Special" furniture discount no credit needed store with 0 down at 35% or higher interests. And God forbid they show up by bus or traveled by help from their family and have No means of travel. There's that shady car dealer off post.
I was there when the Single Soldier Initiative in Germany which had its hiccups and we had direct line of communication the CSM Tilley, 1AR Div CSM, at the time. At Carson when MG Schwartz was Post CG. And at Fort Hood where the NCO had to announce 24 hrs in advance of any inspection. No more "surprise" inspections to see how they were living. As a Soldier living in the barracks, I hated them. So my roomies and I would keep our rooms straight and we were not bothered by our NCO's because of it. Just like washing our own bedding and dirty clothes which I took off post bc of the pain in the arse of trying to get it done in the barracks and the barracks thieves.
I actually stayed in those type rooms that you talked about at Fort Riley while there a bit for the Combat Adviser mission. I thought/feel that those were great. Something I never saw in my years of barracks life. Open bays with bunk beds and communal showers and laundry to service about 42 Soldiers per bay.
Now if this seems like I was just wa waaa waa....I am just simply pointing it out that your situation has been felt by pretty much by the last surviving 1SGs and CSMs in the Army. This retired SFC tanker feels your pain. I can tell you that life in the barracks revolves like a wheel. The excuse of Well just suck it up bc that's how it's always been, that's how we always have done it, is not the answer. Maybe it's been forgotten how to properly Lead by the upcoming young NCO's bc they were promoted too fast which could be said about their SSGs and just don't have the experience. With all the deployments the basic Soldiering skills with being in garrison is a trial by error and no ones correcting it. I don't know. My last 6 years in I was either deployed with the Adviser teams or training/instructing them which consisted of senior NCOs and Officers.
Advise....If you are going to bring up these issues, which some may think that your just bitching and whining, have a solution for that issue your bringing up. Bring it up thru your COC and have it in the lap for correction.
P.S. I read a response in here some where that a Soldier experienced coming out of the field after some weeks and the 1SG released the married Soldiers and kept the single Soldiers there to finish up the work of cleaning weapons. My only response to that is...PISS POOR LEADERSHIP.
As far as the BAH and BAS is concerned, your off on the BAH on what you receive if you were ok'd to live off post bc of over population in barracks. You would only receive the single rate. With the landlords off post, they pay real close attention to what married people get and they raise the rent accordingly. So if you were able to get 1 or 2 guys to live in an apartment with you..you wouldn't be able to afford one at the single rate unless you went to the shady side of town. And BAS is only for YOU and not for the whole family if you were married and is only a supplement to help offset not pay for all of the cost. I never left hungry while in the barracks as a meal card holder. There is usually a lot to choose from for food. Though you will see chicken bc it's inexpensive. My NCO's always made sure we went to eat or bought pizza in the motor pool. As a meal card holder, what a lot of people will never tell you is that you can go back thru the line to get more food if your still hungry. All you need to do is go back and sign the sheet. I know this bc I had it as an extra duty before as an NCO. Also in the late 90's were where finally allowed to have microwaves in our rooms because MWR was shutting down all the companies "Red Dogs/Shack shacks" bc they felt that what they companies made belonged to the MWR community and they would distribute the money as they saw fit.
I firmly stated for years that ALL married Soldier in the rank of SGT and below had first dibs on on post housing. They are the ones most vulnerable because they don't make squat in base pay, they more than likely don't have furniture, dishes, bedding ect. So they get caught with that "Special" furniture discount no credit needed store with 0 down at 35% or higher interests. And God forbid they show up by bus or traveled by help from their family and have No means of travel. There's that shady car dealer off post.
I was there when the Single Soldier Initiative in Germany which had its hiccups and we had direct line of communication the CSM Tilley, 1AR Div CSM, at the time. At Carson when MG Schwartz was Post CG. And at Fort Hood where the NCO had to announce 24 hrs in advance of any inspection. No more "surprise" inspections to see how they were living. As a Soldier living in the barracks, I hated them. So my roomies and I would keep our rooms straight and we were not bothered by our NCO's because of it. Just like washing our own bedding and dirty clothes which I took off post bc of the pain in the arse of trying to get it done in the barracks and the barracks thieves.
I actually stayed in those type rooms that you talked about at Fort Riley while there a bit for the Combat Adviser mission. I thought/feel that those were great. Something I never saw in my years of barracks life. Open bays with bunk beds and communal showers and laundry to service about 42 Soldiers per bay.
Now if this seems like I was just wa waaa waa....I am just simply pointing it out that your situation has been felt by pretty much by the last surviving 1SGs and CSMs in the Army. This retired SFC tanker feels your pain. I can tell you that life in the barracks revolves like a wheel. The excuse of Well just suck it up bc that's how it's always been, that's how we always have done it, is not the answer. Maybe it's been forgotten how to properly Lead by the upcoming young NCO's bc they were promoted too fast which could be said about their SSGs and just don't have the experience. With all the deployments the basic Soldiering skills with being in garrison is a trial by error and no ones correcting it. I don't know. My last 6 years in I was either deployed with the Adviser teams or training/instructing them which consisted of senior NCOs and Officers.
Advise....If you are going to bring up these issues, which some may think that your just bitching and whining, have a solution for that issue your bringing up. Bring it up thru your COC and have it in the lap for correction.
P.S. I read a response in here some where that a Soldier experienced coming out of the field after some weeks and the 1SG released the married Soldiers and kept the single Soldiers there to finish up the work of cleaning weapons. My only response to that is...PISS POOR LEADERSHIP.
I only disagree about the inspections if you're married. Those exist when you're in government quarters and depending on how badly they want to micro-manage you, they'll come out to your house claiming to do a health and welfare inspection. To which I told them, "I understand you're my leader, but get the f--- off of my property before I call the police for trespassing." They tried to gig me for that and I fought...and I won.
I'm sorry but, "Suck It Up Buttercup!" I spent my time in the barracks and no complaints. The Army saves millions by keeping the young and lower enlisted in the barracks. It's the Army, get over it. If you get married at a young age and move out of the barracks good for you. If you don't get married and stay in the barracks good for you. You joined the Army!!! What did you expect. It isn't the Air Force!!! You get two rooms, a kitchen and a bath. Good Lord. I had open bays and then rooms shared by two, three or four soldiers, depending on how big the rooms where. No private bathrooms or kitchens! You have it good!
Look, the only thing that I can agree on is the bit about paying for meals at the Mess Hall (still can't bring myself to say DFAC). When I was young and enlisted living in the barracks, all I had to do is show my ID card. I do not believe that enlisted soldiers living in the barracks should have to pay for meals. The young married soldiers have to take care of a family and the BAH pays for quarters. Believe me, young E-1's through E-4's don't have a lot of extra cash for their privilege of living off post with their families. The pay tables are a little more generous today, so maybe they do now, but I doubt it.
Units have to be able to control their young troops. The barracks and barracks life is the way to do it. Barracks inspections you don't like. Well, again, you joined the Army!!! What did you expect? Someone dinged you for not having hospital corners? Hmmm. If I was stuck in the barracks I can tell you just what kind of corners my bunk would have, hospital corners. I'm betting you could buy and put a memory foam topper on that mattress. Married soldiers always got put on details in the barracks with the rest of us barrack's rats too. No complaints there.
I have to tell you the truth, that anyone complaining about barracks life is barking up the wrong tree with me. Get some rank and ask for permission to move off post. That is what NCO's did when I was a young E-1 through E-4.
Sounds like your expectations of the Army where a little much and to tell you the truth you sound a little spoiled. Again, suck it up.
Look, the only thing that I can agree on is the bit about paying for meals at the Mess Hall (still can't bring myself to say DFAC). When I was young and enlisted living in the barracks, all I had to do is show my ID card. I do not believe that enlisted soldiers living in the barracks should have to pay for meals. The young married soldiers have to take care of a family and the BAH pays for quarters. Believe me, young E-1's through E-4's don't have a lot of extra cash for their privilege of living off post with their families. The pay tables are a little more generous today, so maybe they do now, but I doubt it.
Units have to be able to control their young troops. The barracks and barracks life is the way to do it. Barracks inspections you don't like. Well, again, you joined the Army!!! What did you expect? Someone dinged you for not having hospital corners? Hmmm. If I was stuck in the barracks I can tell you just what kind of corners my bunk would have, hospital corners. I'm betting you could buy and put a memory foam topper on that mattress. Married soldiers always got put on details in the barracks with the rest of us barrack's rats too. No complaints there.
I have to tell you the truth, that anyone complaining about barracks life is barking up the wrong tree with me. Get some rank and ask for permission to move off post. That is what NCO's did when I was a young E-1 through E-4.
Sounds like your expectations of the Army where a little much and to tell you the truth you sound a little spoiled. Again, suck it up.
wait wait - you have a separated 2 man room , & a kitchen & privte bath ! an you still find stuff to bitch about ?
I remember the old saying if the Army wanted you to have a wife they would issue you one.
In the 80's being in a Cav unit that spent a lot of time in Graf , Hoenfelds and border camps .
The Regiment focused on families not single soldier which was cool considering the time troops spent away from their families.
Most single guys just wanted to party and get laid anyhow .We had very few crap details or GI parties because Top let it be known how he expected his barracks to maintained and our Plt Sgt and squad leaders also knew what standards were .
They didn't want to stay late so we knew what to do.
When on the weekends only time you found a single man in the barracks was 3.00 am til 10.00 am if we didn't get lucky.
In the 80's being in a Cav unit that spent a lot of time in Graf , Hoenfelds and border camps .
The Regiment focused on families not single soldier which was cool considering the time troops spent away from their families.
Most single guys just wanted to party and get laid anyhow .We had very few crap details or GI parties because Top let it be known how he expected his barracks to maintained and our Plt Sgt and squad leaders also knew what standards were .
They didn't want to stay late so we knew what to do.
When on the weekends only time you found a single man in the barracks was 3.00 am til 10.00 am if we didn't get lucky.
This is what happens when open bay barracks no longer exist on bases because single service members complain of No Privacy which lead to 2 to 4 person Kitchenette type quarters. Someone has to pay because it is not in the units budget to maintain them unlike the open bay barracks with Laundry, Latrine / head & shower or out buildings for the Laundry, Latrine / Head & Shower. Eating at your assigned DFAC / Chow hall should not cost you anything. Now by eating at another DFAC then you must pay. Only way a single service member can live off base has to be approved then one will receive a housing allowance but to be approved if the barrack/s is being remodeled and no place to put the service member or just no place to house a service member, barracks is full. But also special cases do arise.
Another reason why single service members have to pay for quarters & meals is the unit has to pay rent on the buildings that is within their command. I will use FT. Sill as an example. The land which it operates on is leased from the Native American Indian tribe/s. Before a building is built, torn down and or being replace must get approval from the tribe that owns the land and the BIA. DOD doesn't own it out right.
I don't think single service members over married service members is over work. At least in all my units I served. All was treated fairly & equally as possible. When a mission / task came down late in the day and at the final knock off work formation the 1st SGT / PLT SGT would ask for volunteers for the task.
Another reason why single service members have to pay for quarters & meals is the unit has to pay rent on the buildings that is within their command. I will use FT. Sill as an example. The land which it operates on is leased from the Native American Indian tribe/s. Before a building is built, torn down and or being replace must get approval from the tribe that owns the land and the BIA. DOD doesn't own it out right.
I don't think single service members over married service members is over work. At least in all my units I served. All was treated fairly & equally as possible. When a mission / task came down late in the day and at the final knock off work formation the 1st SGT / PLT SGT would ask for volunteers for the task.
1st, for single soldiers out there, Get involved with the BOSS program. There are a ton of opportunities available to make your stay in the barracks more comfortable along with discounted and free opportunities to get away for the weekend. When I was a BOSS rep for my battalion, I was able to get all new furniture and mattresses for everyone along with other building fixes and day room equipment. As a collective we also were able to arrange for more freedoms in our rooms. There area also plenty of fundraising and trips that can be planned with the BOSS program. I had quite a few 4 day weekend trips signed off for those that wanted to attend. If you are invoulved with BOSS but you are unable to get your Commands participation, make sure you talk with the BOSS leadership to see what options are available.
2nd, about the post... Did you factor in that the extra money married soldiers get is actually for their spouse and dependents? The extra money provided is allocated for the entire family unit, not just for the soldier. I, myself lived off post as an E3 for 6 months mostly by myself without the extra BAH and was still able to barley manage my bills. Of course that wasn't my original plan. I had plans to move out with another soldier and share the bills with also qualifying for off post housing as an E4. If that had worked out, I would have made bank quite easily.
3rd, I do agree that married soldiers have advantages over single soldiers with on and off post housing. That is one reason the BOSS program exists to help address the difficulties of living in the barracks. I also think that the problem goes fare beyond the differences of married and single living standards of the military. One, just being pay on its own along with its deductions for unused services.
Hope all that helps...
2nd, about the post... Did you factor in that the extra money married soldiers get is actually for their spouse and dependents? The extra money provided is allocated for the entire family unit, not just for the soldier. I, myself lived off post as an E3 for 6 months mostly by myself without the extra BAH and was still able to barley manage my bills. Of course that wasn't my original plan. I had plans to move out with another soldier and share the bills with also qualifying for off post housing as an E4. If that had worked out, I would have made bank quite easily.
3rd, I do agree that married soldiers have advantages over single soldiers with on and off post housing. That is one reason the BOSS program exists to help address the difficulties of living in the barracks. I also think that the problem goes fare beyond the differences of married and single living standards of the military. One, just being pay on its own along with its deductions for unused services.
Hope all that helps...
SPC Nicholas V.
SSgt Joseph Baptist - The allotment for housing/food is not an increase in pay for the service member. It is a benefit. So are you saying dependents should not get any benefits because they are not enlisted themselves? No PX or MWR privileges, no childcare, no Tricare? If a single soldier has a child, not a pet, then yes, they should get dependent benefits. If a soldier without dependents is lucky enough to be able to apply for off base housing because of barrack capacity which is usually awarded to higher enlisted, then yes they should also receive that benefit.
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