Questions about the Navy.

[ajoiner]

I am engaged and about to be married, hopefully, before I join the Navy. Now, I know that if I am married, my wife will receive benefits like health care and dental.

The question I have is about housing. From what I understand and have been told, a member of the military can live in on-base housing. Or, if they prefer, they can choose to live off-base and receive a 'housing allowance'. [Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.]

How much is the housing allowance, if any? Can anyone give me their personal opinions/preferences on which is better?

[skf_atc]

I believe it depends on the location. I'm currently engaged, but my fiance is also active duty. I know that some bases do not have on base housing. NAS Kingsville for example doesn't have off base housing.

Being an inexperiencd sailor I'd have to refer you to pingjockey or RogueNavy since they're both a quite bit more experienced then me.

[armysc_25b]

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) depends on three things: your grade, duty location, and whether or not you have dependents. The rates are the same for all services, so you can look at this website (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html) to check the current rates. As an E-4 with no dependents, at my duty location I draw $767 a month for BAH.

Not too sure on the Navy's housing situation, but I know for the Army many installations that have housing either have a waiting list or the units available aren't all that great. All this will depend on your location obviously. For me, it was a fight to get out of the barracks since they were in really bad shape, and on-post housing wasn't an option since I'm single.

My personal advice is when you do find a home, don't get someplace with a $900 a month rent when your BAH is $935 (for example). Use the BAH to help with living costs, and even though you aren't living in the biggest or nicest house in town, you'll know you aren't living outside your means.

[ajoiner]

@ Armysc_25b: Thanks. The website was extremely helpful. It is very much appreciated.

My next questions is: I have a friend that cannot work. She is legally deaf and nearly blind. She doesn't want to live with her parents anymore because of her views on religion and theirs conflict. If I chose to live on base, would I be allowed to have someone who isn't legally a dependent live with me and my future wife?

[Billyd]

Generally speaking, no. Base housing is for the service member and his/her dependents only.

Here is a link to the AF Housing Instruction. While specifically Air Force, it should give you an idea as to what to expect.

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/share...AFI32-6001.pdf

[CAPSmith]

Originally Posted by armysc_25b

My personal advice is when you do find a home, don't get someplace with a $900 a month rent when your BAH is $935 (for example). Use the BAH to help with living costs, and even though you aren't living in the biggest or nicest house in town, you'll know you aren't living outside your means.

This is a great piece of advice. When my wife first enlisted in the Air Force she was assigned to Langley Air Force Base in VA. The BAH with dependent at the time was 700 something a month. We were able to find a nice apartment in a decent location to the base for $500/mo. Our electric bill was about $40 a month and cable/internet another $60. That was it, so the BAH covered the rent and utilities and we had a little over $100 extra to spend on whatever we chose.

When she commissions shortly the BAH rates in the areas she'll be going are significantly more (because she'll be an officer) - which make buying an actual home more realistic.

Even though I'm a dependent, I've seen a lot of junior enlisted folks get into serious monetary issues because they "over-buy" on their housing. They get a $1,200/mo apartment on $600 BAH and take the rest out of their base pay. Then they get a new car, eat out every night, etc. Not a smart move.

Oh, also another bit of advice. No matter how much of a raw deal it sounds, pay into the GI bill program. Even if you think you can't live without the ~$1,200 it costs, pay into it! The 40X return on your money is worth it.

[ajoiner]

Pay into the GI bill program? What exactly is that? Is that the G.I. Montgomery bill?

Anyways, as far as the whole living below your means thing, trust me, I know all about it. I make $600/month right now and I live at about $350/month. I know all about living cheaply.

Seriously, thank you to everyone who has responded.

Oh, on a side note, my best friend from high school leaves for Navy Basic Training today. He will become a CTI so wish him luck!

[skf_atc]

Yes the GI Bill is GI Montgomery. You pay $100 for 1 year. You don't miss the money, trust me.

CTI: Not an easy rate. I'm an OS (just graduated school Friday) and even my rate has its challenges.

Make sure you put some money back too for the new NWUs. I'm learning that lesson the hard way right now because my ship is requiring them when I get there and those things run $220-$250/set from what I can see. Do TSP. I put about 2% of my base pay in every month (Around $30 or so a month) and I don't even miss that.

[ajoiner]

TSP? What is that? Sorry, I'm not too familiar with military jargon.

[skf_atc]

Thift Savings Plan. Think of it as the governments 401k in a way.