As a single E-3 in the Army what are the chances that I'll get to live in a house or apartment on or off base?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:19:32 -0400

I know life in the barracks is not as bad as it used to be (single rooms and such) but if i could, I'd like to avoid it at all costs. I just want to either live off base or on base non-barracks housing. What are the chances that there will be no room in the barracks or other scenarios that would bar me from living in the barracks?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2021 10:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:26:37 -0400

Your chances of winning the Powerball lottery are better than getting on/off post housing as a single PFC

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2021 10:31 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:31:36 -0400

Slim to no change ... that being said, depending on where you get station, you may not be able to afford to live off base. Some locations have a very high cost of living or lack of availabiliy. Let the Army take care of you for a couple years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2021 10:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:40:09 -0400

Living on base, never gonna happen since you’re single. Off base, you could if you clear it through your chain of command, but it’ll all be on your dime and you’ll have to maintain your barracks room. This is of course, if they let you. Those scenarios you’re looking for would usually go to E-5’s first then after that, E-4’s.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 7 at 2021 10:43 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:43:51 -0400

Barracks life is not all that bad and when I was a single 2LT I would have preferred the barracks (yes I lived in them when enlisted). No yards to worry about, driving distance to work and PT is short, and a living environment with my peers. When I was at FT Hood I used to have to leave by 0445 to make a 0630 PT formation. Grass is rarely really greener on the other side.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 7 at 2021 11:17 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 23:17:09 -0400

Slim to none. The only way you're getting out of the barracks as a PFC is if you get married - which I do NOT recommend at all.

Barracks today in some bases are much better than they were - and even when I was in the barracks they weren't that bad.

Honestly I did not mind living in the barracks because I saved a LOT of money living in the barracks. I did deploy half of my first four years in the Army so that helped with saving. But when I wasn't deployed - I didn't pay rent. I didn't pay utilities. My only bills were my phone, my car and then when I finally got my own internet. That's it. I didn't have to worry about anything else. I would look at it that way - while you're in the barracks work on saving money. Find some way to invest some of it somewhere - get a TSP if you haven't. I'm kicking myself in the ass I didn't do it when I first came in. I was pretty stupid.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 7 at 2021 11:56 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 23:56:00 -0400

If you are single PFC you will be assigned to the Barracks. There is no incentive or requirement for the Army to otherwise give you BAH to live out in town. Nobody says "oh golly gee the barracks sounds great for me". Nobody wants to be there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2021 2:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 02:16:36 -0400

If there is no room in your barracks you won’t be the first one they allow to move out. It will more likely be the E-5 or E4s that have been in longer to make room for the brand new E-3 and below.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2021 4:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 04:16:47 -0400

The chance is nil unless you end up at a post where they just don't have barracks, like Shape Belgium, not a place they send junior enlisted. When the barracks are filling up first the SGTs are moved out. If it's still full, it's the most senior E4s.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Aug 8 at 2021 9:50 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 09:50:45 -0400

I would not worry about theft as long as a competent barracks orderly is on duty. That is their job to greet visitors, supply security and keep it tidy, particularly latrines.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 8 at 2021 12:58 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 12:58:44 -0400

The odds of no room in the barracks are zero (even if the barracks fail to meet regulations).

There are a few assignments where a single enlisted soldier might not be living in the barracks, but I have never seen or heard of any such assignment that would be filled by an E-3 fresh out of training.

Depending on your MOS and where you get assigned, there is some slight (VERY SLIGHT) chance that your chain of command might allow you to live off post after you have shown that you are a responsible individual and a good soldier, but you would almost certainly have to pay your own way and would not be authorized housing allowance.

Response by SGT David Shanley Jr. made Aug 8 at 2021 6:17 PM

SGT David Shanley Jr. — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 18:17:11 -0400

You can get an off post house if you can afford it. You may still have to sign for a barracks room regardless though, and you will have to maintain it. The only way housing on post will give you a house is if you collect BAH and are a single parent.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2021 8:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:49:52 -0400

basically none, even if barracks are full they will have NCO's move out first. If you really want to avoid it at all costs nothing is actually stopping you from getting your own place anyway, you just won't get BAH for it. And it's really a huge waste of money.

Response by SPC Ray Orvin made Aug 9 at 2021 10:13 AM

SPC Ray Orvin — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:13:42 -0400

I feel your pain but until you make e6 you have to put up with immature shitheads