US military question

[OhMissScarlett]

If you're in the US Army and stationed overseas, like in Germany, is it acceptable to live off of the base? My character is an officer and would be living off of the base with a German girlfriend. Does anybody know if this is kosher?

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Depends on where it is and if base housing available. When my X was in the military we lived off base and got paid a housing stipand. That was in Hawaii, The Philipines, Japan and San Diego.

 

[R. Richard]

One thing you ought to be aware of is the time frame of your story. At times, when the US dollar is at a low ebb, it is very difficult for a military family to live off base and 'on the economy.' At times, when the US dollar is at a high, it is perhaps advantageous for a military family to live off base and 'on the economy.' On base, the government pays the rent and the PX is always there. Off base, the local landlord charges what the economy will bear and the local markets do the same.

 

[Vermilion]

When my (american) cousin was posted in the UK recently he lived off base...
x
V

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Depends on where it is and if base housing available. When my X was in the military we lived off base and got paid a housing stipand. That was in Hawaii, The Philipines, Japan and San Diego.

Finances wouldn't really be an issue here. So, I wonder if an individual just chose to live somewhere else if it would be allowed even if housing on the base was available.

 

[snooper]

If you're in the US Army and stationed overseas, like in Germany, is it acceptable to live off of the base? My character is an officer and would be living off of the base with a German girlfriend. Does anybody know if this is kosher?

Immediately after WWII - no.
Post the establishment of the GDR - depended on your job sensitivity (eg Medic - yes, Intelligence -no)
Post Berlin Wall collapse - yes, at your own expense.
Today - yes if you want to live as a poor white (a decent 2 room apartment in Berlin upwards of 2000 US dollars a month).

 

[OhMissScarlett]

One thing you ought to be aware of is the time frame of your story. At times, when the US dollar is at a low ebb, it is very difficult for a military family to live off base and 'on the economy.' At times, when the US dollar is at a high, it is perhaps advantageous for a military family to live off base and 'on the economy.' On base, the government pays the rent and the PX is always there. Off base, the local landlord charges what the economy will bear and the local markets do the same.

This would be taking place in the present. Basically, a military officer and his daughter move in with his German girlfriend who already has an established home. So, they wouldn't be paying rent since the woman owns the home.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

This would be taking place in the present. Basically, a military officer and his daughter move in with his German girlfriend who already has an established home. So, they wouldn't be paying rent since the woman owns the home.

If it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything, why would anyone object?

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Immediately after WWII - no.
Post the establishment of the GDR - depended on your job sensitivity (eg Medic - yes, Intelligence -no)
Post Berlin Wall collapse - yes, at your own expense.
Today - yes if you want to live as a poor white (a decent 2 room apartment in Berlin upwards of 2000 US dollars a month).

It would be in the present time. Since they'd be living with someone, finances wouldn't really be the issue. I was wondering more about security. So, you can live wherever you want to live in Germany now, but the Army won't pay for it?

 

[minsue]

If it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything, why would anyone object?

This is exactly why you'll never make it in the US military.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Finances wouldn't really be an issue here. So, I wonder if an individual just chose to live somewhere else if it would be allowed even if housing on the base was available.

This is a good question, Scarlett -

They could, assuming they could secure a liberty card that would allow them to enter or leave the base at anytime.

Also, the military, when I was involved, was very pissy about people with high security clearances and sensitive jobs living off base.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

This is a good question, Scarlett -

They could, assuming they could secure a liberty card that would allow them to enter or leave the base at anytime.

Also, the military, when I was involved, was very pissy about people with high security clearances and sensitive jobs living off base.

That's what I figured. I suppose I could just gloss over the part about what my soldier character does in the army, it's not relevant to the story anyway.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

This is exactly why you'll never make it in the US military.

Oh, I could think of quite a few other reasons... but we won't go into them here; some of the yanks are quite protective of their soldiers...

 

[lucky-E-leven]

It would be in the present time. Since they'd be living with someone, finances wouldn't really be the issue. I was wondering more about security. So, you can live wherever you want to live in Germany now, but the Army won't pay for it?

You can live most anywhere. The only time I've heard of the military not allowing you to live off-base (in present times) is when the location is hostile or in times of lock-down. My sister and her husband lived in Italy for 3 years and the only people who were even eligible to live on post/base were single soldiers that agreed to dormitory conditions & sharing space. There simply wasn't enough housing on post/base to accomodate the number of personnel stationed there.

 

[minsue]

You can live most anywhere. The only time I've heard of the military not allowing you to live off-base (in present times) is when the location is hostile or in times of lock-down. My sister and her husband lived in Italy for 3 years and the only people who were even eligible to live on post/base were single soldiers that agreed to dormitory conditions & sharing space. There simply wasn't enough housing on post/base to accomodate the number of personnel stationed there.

[threadjack] Best AV ever. [/threadjack]

 

[OhMissScarlett]

You can live most anywhere. The only time I've heard of the military not allowing you to live off-base (in present times) is when the location is hostile or in times of lock-down. My sister and her husband lived in Italy for 3 years and the only people who were even eligible to live on post/base were single soldiers that agreed to dormitory conditions & sharing space. There simply wasn't enough housing on post/base to accomodate the number of personnel stationed there.

Thanks, Lucky!
I wouldn't think Stuttgart would be considered too awfully hostile, lol.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Thanks, Lucky!
I wouldn't think Stuttgart would be considered too awfully hostile, lol.

Nah, you should be good. Your characters outta be able to fuck at will.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Nah, you should be good. Your characters outta be able to fuck at will.

*snicker* that's the idea.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

*snicker* that's the idea.

It's a good one.

p.s. I left a little message for you at myspace.

 

[Weird Harold]

If you're in the US Army and stationed overseas, like in Germany, is it acceptable to live off of the base? My character is an officer and would be living off of the base with a German girlfriend. Does anybody know if this is kosher?

Is it absolutely necessary to the story that your character be Army?

I don't know for sure what the Army's policy is about living off-base, but a company or field grade Airforce officer in 1989 (when I retired) was almost required to live off-base at Spangdahlem AB (Where I retired from.)

Bitburg AB, which only about a 30 minute drive away from Spangdahlem, had more on-base housing but that was mostly occupied by married officers and NCOs; including a lot of Spangdahlem's personnel.

The only restriction on living off-base for most of my career was that lower ranked enlisted (E-4 and below) had to maintain a room in the barracks and their supervisor had to know where they were actually sleeping. E-4 and up got a Housing Allowance plus a Cost of Living adjustment tailored to the going rates for off-base housing.

Vietnam was the only place where going off-base, let alone living there, was restricted for USAF personnel. (BasicTraining doesn't count, because you couldn't even go to the bathroom without permission there and getting a pass to leave the squadron area was a major production.

 

[Wildcard Ky]

Yes, you can live off base overseas. It won't be a big deal at all for authenticity to the story.

I knew several guys that were stationed in Germany, and most of them lived off base.

 

[SeaCat]

Living off post is not just possible but plausible within certain restrictions.

People with high security clearances are sometimes restricted to living on post.

People are limited to living on post in areas of high crime or other dangers.

Germany at this time does not fall into the latter catagory.

Cat

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Living off post is not just possible but plausible within certain restrictions.

People with high security clearances are sometimes restricted to living on post.

People are limited to living on post in areas of high crime or other dangers.

Germany at this time does not fall into the latter catagory.

Cat

Fantastic, thanks a bunch, Cat.

Thanks to everyone who posted with suggestions and answers.

 

[The_Fool]

Over three years in Germany, close to Stuttgart, in the Infantry. Lived off base for most of it. Loved it...But that was in the mid 80's

 

[Guest]

If you're in the US Army and stationed overseas, like in Germany, is it acceptable to live off of the base? My character is an officer and would be living off of the base with a German girlfriend. Does anybody know if this is kosher?

Is this for your gang-bang story you described in your LiveJournal? ^^