Do Apartments Get Covered by the Military during Deployment?

Hey, y'all! I'm toying with the idea of joining the military after I graduate, but one thing that's holding me back is this: I'm planning to leave home and rent an apartment, and I'm worried about how I'll keep up with the rent when I'm deployed. I've heard some rumors that the military might help cover your rent while you're away - is there any truth to that?

Hello! What you're probably referring to is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which is designed to help active-duty service members offset the cost of housing when they are stationed somewhere without on-base housing available. The BAH doesn't directly cover your rent, but it provides you with a tax-free allowance that scales with your military rank, geographical location, and whether you have dependents.

When you're deployed, your BAH continues as normal — it doesn't usually increase or decrease. However, the important thing to remember here is the BAH is meant to help with your housing expenses, but it may not cover your entire rent especially in high-cost areas. Also bear in mind, if you live on-base, the entirety of your BAH usually goes towards covering your housing expenses, and you might not see any of it in your pay.

As for your apartment while you're deployed, you would need to plan ahead for this. You might consider having roommates who can continue covering their share of the rent or finding someone to sublet your apartment. If you find yourself in a tough situation where you are unable to pay rent due to military deployment, it's a good idea to contact your base's legal assistance office. They can provide guidance on laws like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which could offer some protections like lease termination.

In conclusion, while joining the military does come with financial incentives such as the BAH, these should be viewed as aid to help offset costs, rather than something that would completely cover all living expenses like rent. It's important to carefully consider and plan ahead for your financial responsibilities, especially during a deployment.