R 041600Z AUG 23
MARADMIN 391/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/SERGEANT WITHOUT DEPENDENTS BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH) INITIATIVE//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/LFF/22 JAN 2018//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MFR/15 JUN 2020//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/JTR/1 NOV 2022//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/MPO/26 OCT 2022//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/MCTFS-PRIUM/17 APR 2018//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 11000.22 WITH CHANGE 1, SUBJ: MARINE CORPS BACHELOR AND FAMILY HOUSING MANAGEMENT. REF B IS MARADMIN 346/20, SUBJ: FINANCIAL EDUCATION ACTION POINT TRAINING AND COMMON MILITARY TRAINING. REF C IS THE JOINT TRAVEL REGULATIONS (JTR). REF D IS MARADMIN 565/22, SUBJ: CLARIFICATION OF THE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH) ENTITLEMENT. REF E IS MCTFS-PRIUM PARA 51201//
POC/MPO/EMAIL: MPO@USMC.MIL/TEL: 703-784-9386//
POC/M. D. CONLAN/CIV/I&L/EMAIL: MATTHEW.CONLAN@USMC.MIL/TEL: 571-256-2833//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN announces the authorization for Marine Corps Installations-East (MCIEAST), Marine Corps Installations-West (MCIWEST), Marine Corps Installations-Pacific (MCIPAC) and Marine Corps Installations-National Capital Region (MCINCR) in coordination with the MEF Commanding Generals to offer 600 highly deserving Sergeants "without dependents" the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at the "without dependents" rate. The authorization for this initiative is only applicable to Marines permanently assigned to CONUS and Hawaii. Regional commanders are allocated the following distribution: MCIEAST (200 Sergeants), MCIWEST (200 Sergeants), MCIPAC (100 Sergeants) and MCINCR (100 Sergeants). The total allocation of 600 Sergeants is based on budgetary planning and analysis.
2. Background. This initiative intends to recognize highly deserving Sergeants "without dependents" by granting BAH at the "without dependents" rate to reside on the local economy. Reference (a) provides Marine Corps-specific guidance to ensure all service members, their families, and eligible civilians have access to suitable housing and services. Reference (a) further amplifies the requirements in determining eligibility for BAH at the "without dependents" rate for personnel in the grades of Sergeant (E5) and below. Per reference (a), installation commanders are the approval authority of all BAH "without dependents" requests for personnel permanently assigned to the installation and/or tenant commands. This authority cannot be delegated.
3. Action. Installation commanders will establish policy and procedures for routing these requests and maintaining the applicable allocation cap in accordance with this message while ensuring consistent and equitable application of this initiative.
3.a. For this initiative, requests for BAH "without dependents" will only be considered for Sergeants who display maturity, financial responsibility, and a history of excellence in the performance and conduct of their duties as determined by their commanding officers.
3.b. Those Sergeants requesting consideration for BAH "without dependents" under this initiative will be required to complete financial education training per reference (b). Validation of completion must be included in each package submitted under this initiative to the applicable installation commander. Training should include, "Renting a Home: Preparation and Research" and "Strategies for Renting a Home". These courses are offered by the Personal Financial Management program managers at each military installation and aim to inform the member on renting considerations, such as estimating affordable rental costs, having roommates, rental negotiables (e.g., asking if utilities are included in the rental amount), and how to properly complete a rental application.
4. Upon approval of BAH “without dependents”, commanding officers will ensure the member is counseled on the BAH "without dependents" rate entitlement. Approval of the BAH “without dependents” entitlement under this initiative authorizes Sergeants to retain the BAH “without dependents” entitlement through a permanent change of station (applicable to CONUS and Hawaii duty stations). Therefore, approved Sergeants, commanding officers, and installation commanders will follow the administrative requirements outlined in paragraph 6. Commanding officers must ensure members are further counseled that the amount of BAH payable is based upon the members geographic duty location and that the amount payable may not fully cover the member’s actual cost for housing.
5. Per reference (a), when deemed appropriate or necessary, installation commanders in coordination with the member’s commanding officer, have the discretion and authority to terminate BAH "without dependents" privileges, (i.e., the Marine’s continued off-base residency is not in the best interest of the Marine Corps, or the Marine is reduced below the rank of Sergeant). If the privilege is terminated, the Marine will return to government quarters in accordance with reference (a).
6. Installation commanders in coordination with MCICOM will develop and implement quarterly controlled tracking procedures per reference (a), for all approved Sergeant BAH "without dependents" requests under this initiative to ensure the approval threshold is not exceeded. Due to a maximum cap of 600 approvals, careful review must be taken when approving requests under this authority. Installation commanders shall only approve requests when a vacancy exists due to the termination of a previously approved authorization (i.e., reduction in grade, separation from service, marriage or dependency change that authorizes BAH with dependents, etc.).
7. Administrative actions:
7.a. To ensure consistent and equitable application of this initiative, all packages submitted for approval under this authority should follow the format outlined in the installation commander’s policy governing BAH “without dependents”. All packages must at a minimum have a favorable endorsement by the first O6 in the member’s chain of command. Following general officer endorsement, all packages will be forwarded to the installation commander for final approval authority.
7.b. Approval letters associated with this initiative must contain a paragraph that authorizes the continued receipt of BAH “without dependents” through a permanent change of station (CONUS or Hawaii) or until a termination occurs (i.e., reduction in grade below E5, separation from service, marriage, dependency, or other changes in BAH eligibility, etc.).
7.c. Reporting units will ensure that the applicable training event code (“ZX” or “ZY”) is reported in accordance with reference (e). The effective date will be equal to the approval or termination date of the entitlement under this initiative. Prompt reporting of the applicable training event code is vital in assisting installation commanders with the management and execution of this initiative.
7.d. BAH “without dependents” approval letters under this initiative will be maintained in each member’s official military personnel file (OMPF). In circumstances when a previously approved sergeant executes a PCS, the joining unit shall use the approval letter in the OMPF to restart the entitlement.
8. This MARADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first.
9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General, James F. Glynn, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//