The 2016 BAH rates have been announced. According to the Defense Travel Management
Office, BAH rates will increase an average of 3.4%. The average increase across the whole
spectrum is $54 a month. This continues
to slow the growth in compensation in a “fair, responsible, sustainable way.”
As a taxpayer and a budget analyst, it’s a good thing to
hear about “slowing the growth of compensation” as defense spending continues
to skyrocket without any accountability.
Like all of America, the DoD has an insatiable appetite, unable to
reduce any spending. However, as a service
member, and at a time where I feel like I’m working the longest hours, doing
more additional duties than ever, and dealing with severe manning issues,
hearing about reductions in compensation can be disheartening. But you may ask, didn’t you just say the 2016
have increased an average of 3.4% or $54 a month?
Yes, the 2015-to-2016 rates have increased; however, in
some cases it still doesn’t restore the reductions we took in the 2014-to-2015
rates. In my zip code (71111 – near
Barksdale AFB, LA), and for my pay grade (O3E), the 2016 with-dependent rate is
still lower than the 2014 with-dependent rate.
The without-dependent rate is higher.
BAH Year (71111)
|
With Dependent
|
Without Dependent
|
2014
|
$1,947
|
$1,647
|
2015
|
$1,833
|
$1,521
|
2016
|
$1,911
|
$1,656
|
Even though I’ve been grandfathered (a.k.a. individual rate
protection) into the 2014 rate, it still represents a reduction to future with-dependent
O3Es. As you can see, without-dependent
O3Es will make an additional $9 in 2016 compared to 2014.
Remember BAH costs consider rent and average utilities
(electricity, heat, and water/sewer). We
must make sound decisions on where we choose to live off base [post, camp, or
station]. As a young E-4, I chose to
live in a place which my BAH afforded me.
Many E-4s chose to live above their means and it cost them a significant
amount of money. A bigger house not only
costs more in rent/mortgage, but utilities generally tend to increase
proportionally as well.
While reductions from 2014 may not be a good thing, I think
staying within your means, and/or encouraging your subordinates to do the same,
may help offset these “fair and responsible” reductions.
Check your BAH rates here: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm
No comments:
Post a Comment