Has the Army ended the GEO BACH program? Do all dual military members CONUS collect BAH?

2023-07-28T15:57:36-04:00

My wife and I are dual military MACP enrolled with 1 daughter. She is a SSG I am a SGT. Naturally my daughter is on my wife's deers because she is the higher ranking member. I PCS’ed to Eglin AFB Oct 2022 and now I just completed PCSing to Fort Liberty July 2023. My wife is still stationed at our previous duty station JBLM. (we were both here before I went to Eglin) Finance here is telling me I am not eligible to collect BAH because I am a geo bachelor (and I should be in the barracks) but I have seen other posts on here saying that the Army ended the geo bach. program in 2017 and all dual military members conus should collect BAH. Does anyone have proof of this? Someone mentioned an ALARACT message but I could not find it.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 28 at 2023 4:50 PM

2023-07-28T16:50:47-04:00

As you stated, dual-military have one servicemember at BAH without-dependents rate (you) and the other (if you have one or more dependents) at the BAH With-dependent rate (her).

When the two of you are maintaining separate households due to military orders, your authorizations are considered separately*. In other words, you are considered as a single E-5.

Looking at Fort Liberty’s policies*, this guidance is also reflected there – “Bona fide single Soldiers in the ranks of private (E-1) through sergeant (E-5) are required to live in the barracks … Unaccompanied Soldiers married to another Service member on separate tours will be assigned to housing on the same basis as unmarried personnel.”
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* DoD 7000.14-R Financial Management Regulation, Vol 7A, Chap 26, Housing Allowance - https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/current/07a/07a_26.pdf
* Fort Liberty policies - https://home.army.mil/liberty/index.php/about/garrison/directorate-public-works/dpw-ho/unaccompanied-housing

07a_26.pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2023 6:01 PM

2023-07-28T18:01:11-04:00

Unfortunately, finance is correct. Since you are different bases and you are not a SSG you have to live in the barracks.
I tried to submit an Exception To Policy to this for one of my Soldiers awhile ago saying SM needed a residence family could stay at while visiting but it was denied. Maybe having a child will be enough to get it approved. I suggest talking to housing about an ETP format. The ETP will have to be approved by all commanders all the way up to Garrison to get BAH. It will take time and be frustrating but good luck to you.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Jul 29 at 2023 1:58 AM

2023-07-29T01:58:51-04:00

My recruiter talked to me about Geo-Bach when I switched from the Marines, and I ended up in the same scenario. No Geo-Bach so I lived out of a hotel for the first part of my checking in.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 29 at 2023 9:44 AM

2023-07-29T09:44:08-04:00

Why are barracks considered so bad? As a SGT, he would have a room and not live in the bay. At least that used to be the way it was.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 30 at 2023 9:53 AM

2023-07-30T09:53:48-04:00

It is largley grade dependants and in sone cases barracks are not available allowing certain service members access to BAH. All of this, including waivers are established processes within each Garrison Command.

Your unit may, or may not know the policy (as they should). Ask for the Garrison policy from there you will know. It is highly unlikely that you would received a waiver as an E5 outside what currently exists.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 30 at 2023 9:59 AM

2023-07-30T09:59:44-04:00

My apologies for the double tap, I failed to add that maintains a household of any size to support your family is way too costly and would likely be a burden on your Family which can lead to problems in the unit. I have never seen it work out in the way that the Soldier intended.