Photo By Staff Sgt. Javier Alvarez | Summer months typically bring an influx of Airmen to Joint base Elmendorf-Richardson,...... read more read more
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The summer months are known as permanent change-of-station season at most military installations – a time when Airmen arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and need somewhere to stay.
While the influx of service members on base is ever changing, the occupancy level the Air Force dorms can accommodate is fixed, said Air Force Master Sgt. Tammy Miller, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied-housing superintendent. As the dorms reach capacity, dorm leaders must make room for the incoming Airmen, allowing some the opportunity to vacate the dorms sooner than would normally be allowed.
To be allowed to live off base, first term Airmen must do one of three things.
-Reach the rank of senior Airman and have three years of service.
-Be married to a spouse in the local area. If your spouse is not in the local area, you’re going to be an unaccompanied Airman and will be staying in the dorms.
-Dependent status changes.
On JBER, Airmen first class can vacate the dorms when occupancy levels reach 95 percent, and their leadership grants authority, Miller said.
“Stay out of trouble because moving out is not automatic,” said Airman 1st Class Kenneth Belgrave, 673d Comptroller Squadron financial services technician. “If you get in trouble or you repeatedly show up late to work, your supervision can keep you in the dorms longer – even if you are a senior Airman.”
Ultimately the decision to allow Airmen to live off base is up to their first sergeants and supervisors.
When occupancy levels are reached, and consent is granted by an Airman’s first sergeant and supervisor, dorm leaders will inform the Airman that they have 30 days to vacate unaccompanied housing, Miller said.
Keeping a clean dorm room, having a good handle on your finances, and maintaining a good standing relationship at work are all beneficial when supervisors make their decision, Miller said.
In every dorm building, outside the ADL’s office, there is a Basic Allowance for Housing list which shows the order in which Airmen can vacate the dorms if occupancy levels are reached, she said. The BAH list goes by the date of rank, to keep things fair.
If Airmen see their name rise on the BAH list and want to be proactive and start the process, they can talk to their ADL and their first sergeant, Miller said. Some first sergeants require Airmen to take a financial management class, ensuring that they are aware of the financial stress and the added expense living outside of the dorms can present.
“Some people say they’re ready to move out, but when they do, they can’t pay their bills,” Miller said. “They end up moving back in the dorms because they didn’t learn how to budget. You can’t eat steak every day on an Airman’s budget, or buy an [expensive car] because now you’re getting BAH.”
While Airmen may be allowed to leave the dorms, there are situations when they may be required to move back in.
“[Airmen may get into legal or financial trouble], and they may have to move back into the dorms to get their life back together,” Miller said.
Additional housing for unaccompanied Airmen may come in the near future, but until it does, Airmen can look to the BAH list for their turn to vacate the dorms.
For all questions about moving out, contact your first sergeant, or your ADL at 406-5826.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2016 17:36 |
| Story ID: | 202000 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US |
| Web Views: | 292 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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