by David R. Chase

Created on: August 19, 2010

Most military installations feature family-oriented neighborhoods, and if space is available, service members are encouraged to move in.  Some installations have waiting lists based on the sheer volume of interested service members.

Military housing provides several benefits to service members, and it’s generally a good idea to apply.  Each branch of the military provides Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to service members with dependents and those without dependents who have reached pay grade E6, WO1 or O1.

Rent: Rent is automatically deducted from the service member’s BAH pay and is considered non-taxable income.  When a service member deploys, leaving her family behind, the lease remains in her name and her family does not have to worry about paying rent.

Utilities: Gas and electric services are included in monthly rent figures on military installations.  While cable or satellite television, telephone service and Internet connections are the responsibility of each household, skyrocketing energy bills are never an issue for military families living on post.  Trash pick-up fees and water usage charges are also included in monthly rent.

Lawn care and maintenance: Service members living in on-post apartment complexes are not responsible for lawn care and maintenance.

Lease flexibility: Leases in military housing complexes are easily broken when circumstances demand.  If a service member deploys or his dependent status changes, he simply needs to bring military orders or a memorandum from his command to the housing office and he will be released from his lease.

Schools: Most military installations house elementary schools in their residential neighborhoods.  Children can walk to school blanketed by the safety of the base or take school buses run by the military. Traffic is constantly monitored and regulated by military police, and motor vehicle safety is one of the military’s top concerns – you’ll never have to worry about reckless drivers endangering your child on her way to school.

Proximity to work: Service members can enjoy short commute times (and never sit in the crush of traffic at the gate before or after duty hours) and have time to go home and shower after morning physical training sessions.  Shorter commutes equal more time with family and less money in the gas tank.

Convenience: Most military installations with housing complexes also have Post Exchange/Base Exchange (PX/BX) stores nearby.  PX/BX stores do not charge sales tax, and dependents of service members are welcome.  Food courts are usually a central part of PX/BX centers, providing quick, easy meals for on-the-go families.  Additionally, most military installations have a Commissary for service members and dependents.  Commissaries do not charge sales tax and generally offer lower prices than local grocery stores outside military installations.

Job opportunities: Spouses and dependents of service members can apply for jobs on military installations through the post’s community service center.

Service members who elect to live off post also receive BAH to cover rent or mortgage payments.  While lessors are legally obligated to allow a service member to break a lease when military orders are presented, service members are responsible for utility bills, lawn care and maintenance and other hassles that come with civilian housing.

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