Military Housing Rules & Regulations

One of the benefits of joining the military is that housing for a member and/or his immediate family is compensated for in some way. The military realizes that members are receiving considerably low pay when compared to their civilian equivalents and, due to their relocation nature, independent responsibility for housing could compromise the mission. As such, the federal government has a system of ensuring shelter for its soldiers, provided all the rules and guidelines are obeyed.

Qualifying Factors

For housing in general, all members of the military are qualified upon entry. Younger military members are typically housed in dorms or barracks, depending on the branch. The quality and space is largely dependent on branch and base location. It is not uncommon, for example, to find 4 or 5 lower-ranking Marines to be housed in a 2-room dorm, while equivalent Air Force members have a 1 room-per-airman ratio with a shared restroom and kitchen. In remote overseas locations like South Korea, dorm residency is often required for junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs). In extreme remote areas or temporary duty locations, military members live in tents for months or years at a time.

Rank and On-Base Housing

When living on base, housing size and location is generally divided by rank. Higher-ranking officers live in higher-quality housing areas with extra square footage and privacy separate from enlisted members. Higher ranking enlisted members also live in separate areas from lower-ranking enlisted families. Mixing of the ranks is discouraged to prevent fraternization amongst the ranks and responsibilities and to prevent rank becoming an issue for any points of contention among neighbors.

Base Allowance for Housing

Some military bases do not have enough room to accommodate all members. In those instances, members are expected to find housing off base. The military compensates them in the form of BAH, or base allowance for housing. BAH rates are determined by rank and locale because of varying housing rental costs in the area. A staff sergeant with dependents living in the San Francisco area could expect to receive nearly $1,700 a month to compensate for rent, while the equivalent ranking member in Charleston, S.C., would receive $1,000.

Special Situations

Some situations can also determine who lives on base. Although higher ranking military members can choose to live off-base and be compensated BAH, certain positions, like the installation commander, are required to live on base because of their responsibilities. Younger-ranking members can also live in base housing if they are married with dependents. For particularly crowded bases, when a young soldier reaches E-3, he is forced out of the dorms or barracks and asked to live off base.

Maintenance

Military residents are expected to perform basic maintenance and cleanliness in their homes. For traditional housing, members are typically expected, for example, to maintain yard standards, such as grass length and weed removal. For some privatized housing, where the military has contracted home construction and maintenance, yard maintenance is provided. Any damage to the home at the member's fault is to be paid by the member. If a member decides to paint the home inside, it must be returned to the original color for departure. There are typically parking rules and regulations as well, covering anything from where you can park to how many vehicles you can have on base.