Housing during BOLC

cjs

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Now that branching and BOLC dates are out for my son, I have yet more questions!!

How does the housing work? Is it something that the Army helps them with or do they have to do on their own?

I realize that his cadre are busy working with all the MSIV's for their futures but I'm wondering what happens from here on in.

It is truly amazing that it's been 4 years since I came on here loaded with questions!
 
Depends, can be civilian hotels, Army lodging or apartments. I was in an Army hotel on base. The Army will figure it out for him generally.
 
When I went through, the school made housing arrangements for all LTs and when I reported, I was assigned a BOQ. Some late stragglers were given local (long term) hotel rooms off post.
 
Slightly off topic but I wanted to ask about transportation to BOLC. Does the cadet have any choice in whether to drive or fly? If you fly, is there any allowance to rent a car in the BOLC local area?
 
Yes, there is the option to fly or drive. I wouldn't recommend flying unless you intend to buy a car while you're there. Unless the soldier is NG/Reserve and their unit authorizes a rental car (not likely), they are responsible for their own transportation once they arrive.
 
Yes, there is the option to fly or drive. I wouldn't recommend flying unless you intend to buy a car while you're there. Unless the soldier is NG/Reserve and their unit authorizes a rental car (not likely), they are responsible for their own transportation once they arrive.

OK, I was just surprised this would be allowed. Paying for someone to drive from West Coast to East Coast for 2500 miles will be a lot more expensive than flying. I was expecting the Army would determine which mode of transportation it wanted used. My DD is planning to drive and I was surprised that was an option.
 
DD is still anxiously awaiting BOLC date but apparently already had to fill something out indicating whether she would be flying or driving. She was advised to choose 'fly' as it is easier to change 'fly' to 'drive' later rather than vice versa.
 
DD is still anxiously awaiting BOLC date but apparently already had to fill something out indicating whether she would be flying or driving. She was advised to choose 'fly' as it is easier to change 'fly' to 'drive' later rather than vice versa.

OK, my DD got her date (July 14) and is set on driving cross country.
 
BOLC is a relatively long time for a TDY. She doesn't want to be at Jackson without transportation or she'll be taking cabs or bumming rides. I'm not sure where the AG BOLC school house is, but it's a fairly decent walk from the on-post hotel to the administrative building, dental, PX, enlisted school house, etc. Plus you've got Columbia and USC a short trip out the gate.
 
BOLC is a relatively long time for a TDY. She doesn't want to be at Jackson without transportation or she'll be taking cabs or bumming rides. I'm not sure where the AG BOLC school house is, but it's a fairly decent walk from the on-post hotel to the administrative building, dental, PX, enlisted school house, etc. Plus you've got Columbia and USC a short trip out the gate.

Also, she'll probably have weekends free.
 
OK, I was just surprised this would be allowed. Paying for someone to drive from West Coast to East Coast for 2500 miles will be a lot more expensive than flying. I was expecting the Army would determine which mode of transportation it wanted used. My DD is planning to drive and I was surprised that was an option.

The Army DOES just that. The soldier won't get full reimbursement for mileage if they drive across the country. They will get reimbursement at the rate of the round trip flight or mileage... which ever is lower. That being said... there will be plenty of reasons for the soldier to have a car while they are there. And, that cross country drive can be a great experience for that young soldier.
 
If the 2LT's orders indicate POV they will be paid mileage. I don't believe it is limited to the rate of the lower transport method. The HRA at their university can look it up on the JFTR. They will also be reimbursed for hotels along the way.
 
I flew because my BOLC was really really short (wooo AMEDD) but I recommend driving for everyone else because life sucks without a car.
 
If the 2LT's orders indicate POV they will be paid mileage. I don't believe it is limited to the rate of the lower transport method. The HRA at their university can look it up on the JFTR. They will also be reimbursed for hotels along the way.

True. "If" the orders authorize POV, there will be full reimbursement for mileage. That "if" is really a "not a chance" as round trip POV will run the Army around $2300 (plus hotels) and a flight will run $400 (sans hotel costs). POV is seldom approved for cross country schooling.
 
True. "If" the orders authorize POV, there will be full reimbursement for mileage. That "if" is really a "not a chance" as round trip POV will run the Army around $2300 (plus hotels) and a flight will run $400 (sans hotel costs). POV is seldom approved for cross country schooling.

You and I could probably find a flight in the $400-$500 range, but the Army's travel agent can't. The cheapest refundable flight I just found between SeaTac and Savannah on one of the major booking engines is over $1800, though this could vary depending on the dates of travel.

Nevertheless, while I agree it would be preferable to have access to a vehicle at BOLC, I would not recommend a 2,900 mile jaunt for a single young woman. (I once did do 2,800 miles in under 48 hours, but that was with a jacked-up driving buddy and a reconditioned 1969 Plymouth Fury I which we had to deliver to Vancouver.)
 
I would strongly recommend bring a car, the housing for agbolc is depent on what is open when your class gets there. You live in the army hotels on base which are pretty nice, except some of them are a couple miles away from the SSI schoolhouse where all the trainning is done and there is no transportation around base besides POV. The army will pay for her to drive it out, the money will be paid to her at here follow on location if she is active duty and through her guard/reserve unit if not, also pay takes about a month to start so make sure she has some spending money for the first month. I've been to agbolc very recently so feel free to PM me or something if she has any questions about the course or the logistics of it.
 
Like most people here said, it's dependent on which BOLC you go to.

Some are short enough that temporary BOQ / on post lodging will be all that's necessary since it's not worth it to get into a lease or something like that.

Here at Aviation BOLC, it's a PCS move so everyone goes out and gets a house or gets a house from on post lodging. It all depends.


Just remember that if you are only going to be there for a short period of time, you don't really need somewhere nice to stay. Better to save some money and concentrate on doing well, and get a nice place later when you get to your real unit.
 
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