So, my boyfriend is going to be stationed in Hawaii, and he would like me to live with him. We are essentially engaged, but not getting married for a few years. He is a private and nothing more yet, so does anyone know the policy and rules about it? Perhaps I won't be able to live with him until his rank is different?
2007-03-26 18:49:30 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Rank doesn't matter. You must be married. He may be able to get special permission from his chain of command to live off base, but you two will have to pay for it all. Hawaii isn't cheap either. When you do get married he will be able to apply for base housing & the military will supplement his check with housing allowance, based on rank, until you actually get base housing. That isn't a quick thing either. Usually takes 6-18mos, the lists are long at every duty station. Good luck!
2007-03-26 19:08:21 · answer #1 · answered by chellek 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
He will have to live in the barracks. You are free to move to Hawaii to be near him, but the cost of living there is insanely high. I had a friend who lived there and they paid well over $1000/month for a studio apartment, and that was 10 years ago. Groceries, gas, everything costs more there. The Army will not pay any of your living expenses or pay for you to move there.
Depending on the policy there, he may be able to move off-post when he is a Specialist or higher. It all depends on how much space is in the barracks. But if he is a Private now, it could be 18-24 months before he makes Specialist. If they have plenty of room in the barracks, he may never be given the option to move out unless you two are married. If you really want to live with him, the only real way to do so is to get married.
Honestly, if you are going to marry a soldier, you need to get used to being separated. I know it sucks that he'll be so far away, but if you can't handle him being in Hawaii, how will you handle it when he's in a combat zone and can't even call home? I've been away from my husband well over half of the time he's been in the military. It's hard, but worth it in the long run.
EDIT: The person above me said he'll have to live in the barracks until he makes E-6 (staff sergeant). I said specialist because that has been the policy where we have been stationed, but it sounds like that person knew what they are talking about. It will take a LONG time for your soldier to be an E-6 - as in 5-6 years would be considered pretty fast.
2007-03-27 04:32:52 · answer #2 · answered by Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this won't be what you want to hear but...FORGET IT! Hawaii is so expensive that even if he were to be granted the off base housing allowance with his low pay grade you woulbe spend all of your money on an apartment and have nothing left for food or utilities. I lived in Honolulu for 2 years right outside Pearl Harbor and Hickam AFB. I saw young military people's relationships break up because of money... you cannot rely on your parents to support you there. It will take you a minimum of $1500 take home per month just live like you are in a housing project. A half decent studio apartment will run you close to $1000 per month or more. Then add utilities, food, transportation costs to and from the base and you are broke. You can't even afford a movie once a month.
Do yourself a favor, stay where you are and get married later. I know this isn't what you want to hear but I think truth is better than telling you what you want to hear.
2007-03-26 19:13:44 · answer #3 · answered by Jim G 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You won't be able to live with him until you two are married.
As a single soldier he must receive barracks up to certain ranks. Dependent upon the base the rank at which you begin receiving BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) varies. Some bases such as Fort Leonard Wood, Mo had housing for E-4's which had same rules as a barracks did (although many soldiers did have girlfriends living with them). Normally you must be an E-6 or higher to begin getting BAH as a single soldier...in other words you two will be married first. There are exceptions to this. If he has a child and has part custody he must receive BAH and live off base to meet the requirements for providing a stable house while he has his kid.
Unfortunately, there is no way for you two (unless he has a kid) to live together unless he pays out of pocket for a place to live off base with you.
2007-03-26 19:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by cbrown122 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rank isn't a factor at all. If he's allowed to live off post, that's the only way you'll be able to live together until you're married.
Bachelor's living on post do so in the barracks which is much like a doormroom and he'll probably have a roomate. When my bf was living on post he didn't have a roomate, but, he could've gotten in a world of hurt if I'd been caught in his barracks after 11pm.
2007-03-26 19:09:57 · answer #5 · answered by Χαλαρά 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In Hawaii, as long as you're not married and he's not an E-6, he's living in the barracks. That's not to say you can't live in Hawaii, too, but the cost of living there is well above average.
2007-03-26 20:45:25 · answer #6 · answered by DOOM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He'll have a bunk in the barracks there, so he would not be able to live/stay with you, and the military is not entitled to give anything for girlfriends to move with the guys. This is the reason my parents married early. Once married, the military paid for them to relocate and provided housing and everything for them.
Housing isn't easy to find in Hawaii, and it's far from cheap. I'd consider moving up your wedding, so you can be with him. Good luck!
2007-03-26 18:59:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know that if he wants to live with you, he can't live in military housing. Unless you are married, it is a no no to live with your GF. Like the other poster, the military does not believe in cohabitation. They would rather send their single lower ranking guys to a dorm. He can't just move off base and have them pay for it. The only time they allow that is for higher ranking guys and married guys. GL. We want to be stationed in Hawaii too.
2007-03-26 18:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by TrixyLoo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The military will not provide housing for you until you are married. If he is allowed to live off post you may be able to move there at your expense and rent a place together. However, the military won't foot the bill until you're married.
His unit may have some rules regarding moving off post as well.
2007-03-26 18:52:49 · answer #9 · answered by Combatcop 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You do realize how expensive it is in Hawaii? A private's pay will not keep both of you. Do you have a marketable skill to make sufficient pay to live there? What if he dumps you while you are there, or vice versa?
I've been to Hawaii 3 times. Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to have to live there.
(USN, retired)
2007-03-27 05:16:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋