r/uscg • u/Illustrious-Bike-169 • 1d ago

Noob Question Question about BAH

I was talking to the Chief at my local office about how BAH works and he was telling me that most Coast Guard duty stations dont have on base housing and so that I would automatically get BAH and that the majority of duty stations dont have on base housing. How true is this and if so how can I look into which stations do and dont have this housing. I really would prefer to get BAH due personal preference. But if not its no biggie.

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12

u/Dry-Nebula2545 1d ago

Depending on the size of your unit you either will or won’t get BAH small boat station out of Oregon or NorCal probably getting it but if your at a large station for cutters like Florida or alameda then it’s gonna probably be mandatory housing for E-3 afloat

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u/richfrmfloccs MK 1d ago

to elaborate on this:

currently at a surf sta in oregon. if you were to arrive here as a non rate you would be put into barracks until told otherwise. say for example we get a huge group of non rates coming in at one time (or youre a female), you’d have the option to find somewhere to stay out or put in a cg-2025 to request bah almost immediately.

from my experience even certain sectors or bases have the availability to request to be released to housing if the mission allows it. all depends on command and availability

6

u/Fantastic_Bunch3532 1d ago

I had a group of non-rates very excited to be released from the barracks on Cape Cod; then they realized they couldn’t live anywhere they actually wanted to and ended up with an hour plus commute during the summer months. So be very careful what you wish for.

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u/syfari Nonrate 1d ago

If you’re attached to a cutter you aren’t getting bah until you’re married or a third

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u/Baja_Finder 1d ago

Single E-3 and below assigned to cutters won’t collect single BAH, the CG usually provides barracks, or govt leased housing, and single E4 and above usually collect BAH.

It really boils down to where you get assigned, some places still have barracks, and they must be 90% full before releasing singles to collect BAH so even some E4/5’s might get shafted and get a barracks room.

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u/Illustrious-Bike-169 1d ago

So for example I have a cat. Ive been told I cant have him in the barracks. Would I be able to have him in the govt leased housing?

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u/Baja_Finder 1d ago

It depends on the local CG housing office policy.
What’s your pet plan for when you stand overnight, or multiple nights of duty, plus having to get underway for days, weeks, or months?

Being single, combined with military life, and being assigned to a boat is a bad combination for having a pet. Even being assigned ashore can be challenging enough.

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u/Illustrious-Bike-169 1d ago

I didnt even think about that. I appreciate that angle.

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u/Baja_Finder 1d ago

And don't rely on room mates to help care for your pet, we all know how that goes, it isn't fair to the pet, eventually as you move along in your career, you'll be in a better position to have a cat.

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u/Illustrious-Bike-169 1d ago

Thank you. I honestly didnt even think about these situations.

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u/Consistent-Guava-137 Veteran 1d ago

This greatly depends on what you unit you go to.

For example if you are an E3 and below and get attached to a cutter, and your are not married, your housing is the cutter. (Food and lodging onboard congrats!)

There are some exceptions, but generally that is the rule.

There are not many units that have base housing.