BOLC Question

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sheriff3

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Does the newly minted 2nd LT. live in a dorm during BOLC or off base and gets to collect BAH and BAS?
 
It depends on which BOLC.

Both sons branched Aviation, AVBOLC and Flight School is a PCS move, they can either use on base housing or live off base and receive BAH. Some BOLCs are more of a TDY.
 
sheriff3 said:
Does the newly minted 2nd LT. live in a dorm during BOLC or off base and gets to collect BAH and BAS?
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Many of the 2nd lts. attending ABOLC or IBOLC at Ft. Benning live off base. From what I've been reading, in the future military roommates sharing living space may see their BAH allowance reduced.
 
JCleppe is pretty spot on. Essentially, if you are TDY to BOLC (TDY= Temporary Duty), you will not draw BAH for the location you're at, those LTs usually stay in a dorm like building or a hotel. Those that PCS (Permanent Change of Station) will get BAH and usually are forced off post. Most posts usually require single E6s and above to live off post. National Guard soldiers are usually TDY to all BOLCs but can get BAH for their house/apartment back home. Those on TDY orders get per diem and mileage whereas PCS orders get BAH and BAS. I do know of LTs at Benning that were able to rent homes on Benning, they usually split them and used their BAH to pay a determined rent amount.

The majority of BOLCs are TDY, but Infantry, Armor, Aviation, Ordnance with EOD pre-select, and Field Artillery (until later this fall it will become TDY) are PCS as far as I know. I may be missing one or two.

*I spelled out PCS and TDY for lurkers and those unfamiliar, not insulting anyone's intelligence in this thread.
 
My son is at Ordnance BOLC at Ft Lee. Ft Lee is the home to the Army Logistics University which includes an on base "hotel" where the 2LTs live during BOLC.

He is overwhelmed with his living arrangements. All through college he had roommates and felt he never had any private space. Now he has his own room/apartment with a mini kitchen. He can't believe someone cleans his room and makes his bed every day. The only thing negative he could name is that the internet access is not the greatest (both WiFi and wired).

He gets a per Diem (which I don't think is the same as BAS but not sure) that is much more than he expected.

He is enjoying his training and based on what he has learned about what he will be doing post BOLC he expects to love his job.

He could not be happier.
 
Per diem and BAS are different. Per diem is essentially daily food allowance based upon location. So it changes from Hawaii to Ft Bragg. BAS is a monthly food allowance that he will get when he PCSes to his permanent base. Not sure on current BAS rate for an officer $175ish (it was $160ish when I was in). Per diem is a great deal, usually $50 or more a day to eat. I am sure he is pocketing good money. I had a similiar arrangement at MOS school as your DS, I didn't know what to do with myself.
 
Correct, per diem and BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) are different and those TDY to BOLC are not getting BAS. Per diem "covers" him on TDY where BAS would once he PCS's to his permanent duty station.

BAS is currently $253.38/month for officers.
 
sheriff3 said:
Does the newly minted 2nd LT. live in a dorm during BOLC or off base and gets to collect BAH and BAS?
Click to expand...

One other thing for the new 2LT to think about. The off-base apartment may come with bills other than rent. Cable, Water, Electric, Gas and possibly others. You have to think about managing those along with BOLC and possibly going to other schools like Ranger. Do you get an off-base apartment that covers many of these or can you manage them.
 
Wow I haven't been out all that long... but that is a big jump in BAS. Glad to see it.
 
During CIET DS was exposed to QM and seems very interested. It looks like Ft. Lee maybe on his radar. Thank you all for your input, very informative.
 
DS BOLC is likely TDY...(app. 20 weeks including exodus), but he has a wife and an apartment lease...Are they correct in expecting they will be getting BAH for her location? The BAH rate is a couple hundred dollars higher than the FLW rate. She already is enrolled in DEERS. He hopes to stay on Post for BOLC, but will have a vehicle...Do they usually have access to reasonably close parking?
 
wildcatmom said:
DS BOLC is likely TDY...(app. 20 weeks including exodus), but he has a wife and an apartment lease...Are they correct in expecting they will be getting BAH for her location? The BAH rate is a couple hundred dollars higher than the FLW rate. She already is enrolled in DEERS. He hopes to stay on Post for BOLC, but will have a vehicle...Do they usually have access to reasonably close parking?
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Which BOLC? Has he talked to anyone at BOLC or in the finance office at the post where his BOLC is?
 
Thanks for your suggestions. If he brings it up again, I will recommend that he call.
 
wildcatmom said:
MP BOLC... He told me his "profile"? said Orders will be cut on Oct. 1, and after BOLC he will be stationed in Europe. (This has changed once already this summer, so he knows it could again...) He did manage to get his CAC card renewed a month ago, and to get his wife signed up for DEERS, so maybe he has some contact with someone...but in our last call, he was wondering about travel arrangements to BOLC, which makes me think otherwise.
Next time he calls, I will ask him. Perhaps he was just waiting until it got closer.
Thanks for your response.
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Yea, he should probably give a call to the finance office at Fort Leonard-Wood and find out what he can get. If his wife is staying back while he is TDY to BOLC it's very likely he can get BAH to cover the rent back home (and he'll get the rate where the home is, yes). I don't say guarantee because I'm no finance expert so I don't want to assume. Since he will be TDY he will stay on post, I can't remember if they stay in a hotel or a dorm at Leonard-Wood. If he won't get orders til October he might have to wait, the orders will have more info and allow him to get the ball rolling.

Is he wanting the government to arrange travel for him (i.e plane ticket) or is he taking his own vehicle and driving? He'll probably want a vehicle there if he has the option.

Edit to add: most BOLCs are different from each other and really only share the common name, advice for lurkers, sometimes you just have to give the post a call because each one is a little different.
 
Sorry..BAH..Bachelor Assisted Housing? When my husband was active duty, BHA was basic housing allowance...or is it now BAH...what is BOLC?
 
curious83 said:
Sorry..BAH..Bachelor Assisted Housing? When my husband was active duty, BHA was basic housing allowance...or is it now BAH...what is BOLC?
Click to expand...

BAH= Basic Allowance for Housing
BOLC= Basic Officer Leader Course

You're husband probably remembers BOLC as OBC (Officer Basic Course).
 
Yes...that is true. He was a dentist in the Navy. One year at Paris Island and then 3 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln when it was in Everett, WA. He then opted to be a dentist in private practice. My son was born while he was stationed at Paris Island and is now applying for Navy ROTC-Marine Option...So I am trying to catch up with all the changes...
 
Our son just went to FA BOLC at Ft Sill. After almost 3 weeks of quarantine he was able to fill out his finance paperwork.
He said finance did not allow them to file a travel voucher and won’t be reimbursed any mileage to Ft Sill. This does not sound right. Any thoughts on this? I’m not familiar with a TDY status before your first PCS.
 
Not sure... DS was Cadre in Ft Knox after commissioning and then drove to Ft. Sill. To my knowledge we was paid mileage for all road miles. He was housed in a very old 2 person room operated by Holiday Inn. Be sure you son signs up for the loyalty program for the IHG points.
 
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