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
I got out of the Army in 1986 as an E-5. I was married with 2 children then. I had Christmas and New Years Eve ruined two years in a row by being stuck on guard duty even though I had a medical MOS. Living off post did NOT exempt my apartment from being inspected by my landlord and the housing people. My apartment was inspected while I was in another city for training. My wife's failure to keep the place clean while I was away for training got ME charged with child neglect!
"If you point the out at the beginning of a comment". Change "the" to "it". That's all I have.
I agree with you since I had the same arguments in 1975 when we had open bay barracks with two squads per floor and my E-7 Platoon Sergeant (in the midst of a divorce and not qualified for BEQ) had the only single room. As a PFC with 4 1/2 months of service, I was the highest-ranking person on my floor (Honor grad promotions in BCS and AIT) since I was a squad leader (the 7th Infantry Division was reforming at Fort Ord, CA, and the 7th MP Co. was being filed with people straight out of AIT for the most part). We made dividers out of the two wall lockers we were given. Each divider was one wall locker facing us, the other facing the next person over. I nearly married another MP just to get out of the barracks, which would have kept me from attending West Point, changing my entire life as I now know it.
I can understand why in the old days before mine didn't allow Jr. Enlisted to be married or get benefits if they were 18, straight out of school with a paycheck for the first time needed the barracks for the first year or so. Today, without the draft, I believe enlistees are older, many joining the military since they cannot get a job on the outside. The single enlisted protection is not as needed as much today. I agree that barracks are not as needed. unfortunately, putting thousands more single people into the area surrounding the bases that are often short on housing as it is. What then?
The only single enlisted housing I saw as an officer was at Fort Ord. The 7th DIVARTY area was turned into the Dormitories for the California State University at Monterey Bay after Fort Ord was closed, so they could not have been too bad, not like they had been 6 years earlier.
That $1,000+ BAQ was four months total pay when I was a private and you could not get a decent house in the Monterey area for BAQ back then, plus needing a car (luckily, I made my monthly payment and insurance for my first sports car from the payday weekend poker games in the barracks) to get into work also increased the financial outlay, then add the kids (military spouses seem especially fertile).
Even single officers have some problems. You got additional duties if you were close to the flag pole and single, which is why I moved to Carmel Valley as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th DIVARTY at Fort Ord in 1981. It was too far away to call me in for a "quick" tasking. The "You don't have a family" card was played a lot by married officers, too, often for Holiday Leave requests. Don't forget, officer's are not guaranteed housing off base. In Korea, as a 1st LT, I lived in the barracks (two to a room) with other LTs and Captains married or not since it was a non-accompanied assignment. Field grade officers had their BOQ with individual rooms in another area. The same was true in my Officer Basic Course.
I agree with you since I had the same arguments in 1975 when we had open bay barracks with two squads per floor and my E-7 Platoon Sergeant (in the midst of a divorce and not qualified for BEQ) had the only single room. As a PFC with 4 1/2 months of service, I was the highest-ranking person on my floor (Honor grad promotions in BCS and AIT) since I was a squad leader (the 7th Infantry Division was reforming at Fort Ord, CA, and the 7th MP Co. was being filed with people straight out of AIT for the most part). We made dividers out of the two wall lockers we were given. Each divider was one wall locker facing us, the other facing the next person over. I nearly married another MP just to get out of the barracks, which would have kept me from attending West Point, changing my entire life as I now know it.
I can understand why in the old days before mine didn't allow Jr. Enlisted to be married or get benefits if they were 18, straight out of school with a paycheck for the first time needed the barracks for the first year or so. Today, without the draft, I believe enlistees are older, many joining the military since they cannot get a job on the outside. The single enlisted protection is not as needed as much today. I agree that barracks are not as needed. unfortunately, putting thousands more single people into the area surrounding the bases that are often short on housing as it is. What then?
The only single enlisted housing I saw as an officer was at Fort Ord. The 7th DIVARTY area was turned into the Dormitories for the California State University at Monterey Bay after Fort Ord was closed, so they could not have been too bad, not like they had been 6 years earlier.
That $1,000+ BAQ was four months total pay when I was a private and you could not get a decent house in the Monterey area for BAQ back then, plus needing a car (luckily, I made my monthly payment and insurance for my first sports car from the payday weekend poker games in the barracks) to get into work also increased the financial outlay, then add the kids (military spouses seem especially fertile).
Even single officers have some problems. You got additional duties if you were close to the flag pole and single, which is why I moved to Carmel Valley as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th DIVARTY at Fort Ord in 1981. It was too far away to call me in for a "quick" tasking. The "You don't have a family" card was played a lot by married officers, too, often for Holiday Leave requests. Don't forget, officer's are not guaranteed housing off base. In Korea, as a 1st LT, I lived in the barracks (two to a room) with other LTs and Captains married or not since it was a non-accompanied assignment. Field grade officers had their BOQ with individual rooms in another area. The same was true in my Officer Basic Course.
I 100% agree with everything you pointed out. I no longer reside in barracks, but still recall having the same frustrations as you, and I try to consider those sentiments when dealing with barracks residents today. I wish senior decision-makers would consider making changes to address these issues.
Excellent article and thank you for the follow up. I had the exact same complaints when I was in the barracks fro 89-92. It was why I chose to ETS. In 94 I rejoined but was married. The difference was like night and day. I found through the rest of my career that soldiers love standards, but loathe double standards. The Army has lost many a good soldier because them. Thanks again for your piece.
The soldier that wrote this dissertation can either get married or he or she can exit the military. That is the simple answer.
I agree 1000% I always felt like they were paid to be married. I am a retired Ssg lived in the barracks got hey you'd alot told what I could have in my room how it could be used even having plants. we had a command that loved to do inspections of the barracks. married living on base housing never got inspected even as health and welfare checks. I like you still take issue with the military giving married soldiers so many options and single soldiers were told to live in prison but the gates are not locked. I also agree with the different policies with each level Company Battlion Brigade. I had a company that I was in that was overcrowded in the barracks so they authorized me to move but Battlion was not overcrowded so they didn't authorize me to move out they did give me BAS but not BAH. I had to file paperwork with Battlion every month for over 6 months to keep my BAS never did get BAH so I I understand completely. One of the hardest parts of this whole thing was I was a Sgt with over 10 years in and Pv2 married with kids made more money than I did.
Actually the Military prefers single soldiers. The costs for housing and feeding by bulk are better, and single soldiers in barracks can respond faster than off post personnel.
Cost wise... single soldiers in barracks have their entire paychecks (except clothing allowance) to do with as they please. Bills? Puhlease... bills are your choice if you live in the barracks and eat in the mess hall... put your money away for ETS... you'll need it ;)
Single soldiers are thinking about their next Pass... not their wife and children, and what will happen if they die in combat... your typical married person has added concerns to their mental state, making them not as combat ready as the single buddies.
Are you wrong to complain? I won't judge you... but I will say...
It doesn't matter if you do, or don't...
It won't change, unless it reduces costs ;)
Today... is no different than the day I joined... in 1973.
Change in the Military is like change in the Government... slow and painful.
btw... I started single, got married... and that's when things got complicated...
Having a spouse in the Military... is like being married as a cop... the spouse wants you to quit...
It's your job, you can't... Catch-22.
Better to stay single in all cases when your job puts you in danger... but that's my opinion :)
Cost wise... single soldiers in barracks have their entire paychecks (except clothing allowance) to do with as they please. Bills? Puhlease... bills are your choice if you live in the barracks and eat in the mess hall... put your money away for ETS... you'll need it ;)
Single soldiers are thinking about their next Pass... not their wife and children, and what will happen if they die in combat... your typical married person has added concerns to their mental state, making them not as combat ready as the single buddies.
Are you wrong to complain? I won't judge you... but I will say...
It doesn't matter if you do, or don't...
It won't change, unless it reduces costs ;)
Today... is no different than the day I joined... in 1973.
Change in the Military is like change in the Government... slow and painful.
btw... I started single, got married... and that's when things got complicated...
Having a spouse in the Military... is like being married as a cop... the spouse wants you to quit...
It's your job, you can't... Catch-22.
Better to stay single in all cases when your job puts you in danger... but that's my opinion :)
Enjoyed reading your update. Full Disclosure, I was enlisted Army, lived in several of the housing situations addressed: PVT in bay of thirty soldiers with metal wire double bunks, old wall lockers, wooden Foot Lockers. PFC in a two man room in a "Modern" Barracks. SPC in a Quonset Hut divided up - Nco's in two man rooms, SPC5 & SPC4 in a small bay, PFC and below in a large bay. SGT in a B.E.Q. while on TDY. SGT in off base housing with wife. SGT in on base housing with wife and kids.
My general response to your first post is this: You hit on hot topic that is not new to anyone who served, Officer or Enlisted. But, to think of it as "Discrimination", a negative action taken against someone, is inacurate.
To rehash some of the other comments, "you could of had it much worse", and it still would not have been discrimination "against" you.
A breif History Lesson, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Army
Our "Army" was and is made up of Militia, American Citizens, Citizen Soldiers, who slept in their own homes and on the ground. Every "luxury" you enjoyed while in the Barracks - Walls, a Ceiling, Heat, AC, Running Water, Electricity, Furniture, etc. was and is a Discrimination "For" you and every soldier who serves. Every "subsidy" payed for off base housing, every on base housing development built, every housing situation funded by the millitary (taxpayers) in any way, was fought for over the past two hundred plus years. If you don't see that, and still think you are being "Discriminated Against", time to find a new profession. Let me know if you find any company in the private sector that gives you free "three hots and a cot" every day for the duration of your career.
My general response to your first post is this: You hit on hot topic that is not new to anyone who served, Officer or Enlisted. But, to think of it as "Discrimination", a negative action taken against someone, is inacurate.
To rehash some of the other comments, "you could of had it much worse", and it still would not have been discrimination "against" you.
A breif History Lesson, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Army
Our "Army" was and is made up of Militia, American Citizens, Citizen Soldiers, who slept in their own homes and on the ground. Every "luxury" you enjoyed while in the Barracks - Walls, a Ceiling, Heat, AC, Running Water, Electricity, Furniture, etc. was and is a Discrimination "For" you and every soldier who serves. Every "subsidy" payed for off base housing, every on base housing development built, every housing situation funded by the millitary (taxpayers) in any way, was fought for over the past two hundred plus years. If you don't see that, and still think you are being "Discriminated Against", time to find a new profession. Let me know if you find any company in the private sector that gives you free "three hots and a cot" every day for the duration of your career.
Being in the guard or reserves as a single soldier during long training courses, I recently found out is basically tantamount to asking to be scr**ed.
There is a regulation that says you don't qualify as a single soldier w/out dependents for BAH if you're in a school that is longer than 140 days and they provide adequate gov't housing. So, essentially, you're supposed to either give up everything to go to the course or go into debt while taking it.
36 days, that's all the course I'm in goes over the cut-off, and they're trying to recoup my BAH. I have an apt, a lease, and they aren't going to give me "gov't housing" when I get home. I'll also have a massive debt now.
There is a regulation that says you don't qualify as a single soldier w/out dependents for BAH if you're in a school that is longer than 140 days and they provide adequate gov't housing. So, essentially, you're supposed to either give up everything to go to the course or go into debt while taking it.
36 days, that's all the course I'm in goes over the cut-off, and they're trying to recoup my BAH. I have an apt, a lease, and they aren't going to give me "gov't housing" when I get home. I'll also have a massive debt now.
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My soldiers were less likely to do stupid %$#@ in the barracks when I lived there too...
Kinda like the parents not being home... with no babysitter...
They may be adults by law... but those teens are still kids, and need supervision to keep them out of trouble ;)
Yeah... that's what the CQ is for... no... the CQ will call you to come get your soldier under control... if the CQ is doing their job right... otherwise, you will hear about it from Top when he gets the log in the morning... and MY Tops... didn't want to hear about the $#@% someone in my platoon got up to from the CQ when he arrived in the morning... soldier got extra duty, with ME supervising the squad leader, supervising the soldier...
Sometimes #@$% rolls UPhill in the Military ;)
If you were my squad leader, you wouldn't have my leave to live off post, unless you can prove your crew understands they face your wrath if they do wrong while you're home sleeping...
--> and if they showed they needed supervision off hours... it wouldn't be me, it would be you... back in the barracks.
Living off post is not a right... it's a privilege.
and... Inspections are a part of military life. Readiness is Commanded, and Inspections are to insure readiness. Yeah... they're a pain ... but ... if you didn't have to take steps to prepare for every inspection... chances are the inspections wouldn't be needed ;)
or... Inspections are needed, BECAUSE you have to take steps to prepare every time an inspection is announced.
MY squad, and then my platoon, were always ready... no need to prepare... no pain. ;)
When doing it so you don't need to prepare becomes habit... you're ready for anything... anytime.
Keep your head down, and your mind locked on the enemy in front of you.
Come home alive.