The living situation of a military member isn’t as complicated as many assume. A few variabilities depend on the person’s service and rank. If you or your loved one is considering joining the military, you might want to know when they’ll be allowed to live off base. Those already in the military might be thinking about reassessing their living situation or wondering when it might change.
We’re here to talk about the differences in rank and how they affect where people live. Additionally, we’ll discuss how different services in the military have different rules.
Military Housing and Relationship Status
Your relationship status is the first thing that will impact where you live. Firstly, if you’re married, you will either be given a Basic Housing Allowance to live off-base or on-base. This is also true if you’re living with minor dependents. These are the two situations where you might be allowed a Basic Housing Allowance to live off-base with your spouse or minor dependents. Single military members that aren’t married or have dependents will spend years living on base.
Rank and Living Off Base
Being allowed to live off-base as a single military member will vary depending on your service. Generally, if you’re in the pay grade of E-6 or above, you can live off-base at the military’s expense. Depending on the occupancy rate of the barracks, you might be able to live off-base as an E-5.
There are special rules for those in the Navy or the Air Force. Members of the Navy are allowed to live off-base if they’re E-5 or above. Additionally, those that are E-4 with more than four years of service under their belts are allowed off-base housing allowance. If you’re in the Air Force, the rules are slightly more lenient, as you’ll be allowed to live off-base if you’re E-4 and have three or more years of service.
Living situations for those living on base vary depending on the service. Military members in the Marine Corps and Army will live in the barracks. Those in the Navy can expect to live on a ship or in the barracks. Members of the Air Force will most likely live in dormitories. Most military members are striving to have military members live in single rooms. Living situations will vary from base to base and will also depend on occupancy rates.
There’s no doubt that a big part of being in the military is getting accustomed to certain living situations. Knowing the housing rules of the service you’re going to join can help you plan the next several years of your life. If you’re married and living with a spouse or have dependents, you can be eligible for an off-base housing allowance. The rules for single military members will vary depending on each service’s rules.
