Requesting 6 months to stay on post

So I just got medically retired from the Army, I’ve been looking for a place to stay for me my wife and 5 kids, but I don’t have a lot of money to put down for a house to rent since most places require atleast 3 times the amount of rent. I requested to stay here on post in the meantime until next year, so I can have enough money to actually be able to move but my CMD or 1SG won’t sign me a memo for me to be able to stay on post because I have enough time to look for a place…. They don’t understand that it’s not the time, I just don’t have enough money to move somewhere else.. I’m frustrated and upset. What can I do??
 
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If the housing contractor has space available, I’m not sue why they need a letter. Go up the contractor’s chain.
 
Ema95 said:
So I just got medically retired from the Army, I’ve been looking for a place to stay for me my wife and 5 kids, but I don’t have a lot of money to put down for a house to rent since most places require atleast 3 times the amount of rent. I requested to stay here on post in the meantime until next year, so I can have enough money to actually be able to move but my CMD or 1SG won’t sign me a memo for me to be able to stay on post because I have enough time to look for a place…. They don’t understand that it’s not the time, I just don’t have enough money to move somewhere else.. I’m frustrated and upset. What can I do??
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Not to sound harsh, but from an objective perspective, why do you think you're entitled to remain on-post even after you're no longer on active duty? SMs have always been required to give up their on-post quarters once they're no longer in service. There are exceptions depending on your local installation's housing metrics, extension requests for 30, 60, 90 days etc., but it's always been policy for the SM to move. This ensures the local housing areas maintain an available inventory for incoming personnel who choose to live on-post while they're still on active duty. Sounds like you're in a tough position, but put yourself in the shoes of an incoming family. What if they couldn't get on-post housing because the base was at 100% capacity, to include non active duty personnel taking up many of the on-post homes. They'd be in your current situation with having to come up with the funds to rent off post, purchase, etc, all while navigating the complexities of moving to the area from an alternate location. Not ideal to say the least.

All of the above said, the installation I am currently at has opened up on-post housing to retirees, gov employees, contractors etc, but there's only 2 areas on post where these non active duty folks can live. The rent is about the same as if these folks were paying BAH, however, they're also required to pay for electric, garbage, water, etc. I'd speak to your local housing office and ask if they have the option for you to remain in on-post housing (might not be your current neighborhood) once you're out and get the specifics of location, cost, lease terms, etc.

Lastly, and again, not trying to sound harsh, but if you've been going through an MEB, you've known that it was likely that you were going to be discharged for many months. The expectation is to plan accordingly to ensure you transition as smoothly as possible, to include planning to exit on-post housing. In my experience, too many SMs confuse "privileges" or "entitlements" with "rights" and they get upset when something doesn't go there way, even if long standing policy clearly articulates specific rules, regulations, and policies. There's always a way to get through a tough situation. Pick yourself up and make it happen, it's the only way. I wish you the best of luck during your transition.
 
soonami said:
Not to sound harsh, but from an objective perspective, why do you think you're entitled to remain on-post even after you're no longer on active duty? SMs have always been required to give up their on-post quarters once they're no longer in service. There are exceptions depending on your local installation's housing metrics, extension requests for 30, 60, 90 days etc., but it's always been policy for the SM to move. This ensures the local housing areas maintain an available inventory for incoming personnel who choose to live on-post while they're still on active duty. Sounds like you're in a tough position, but put yourself in the shoes of an incoming family. What if they couldn't get on-post housing because the base was at 100% capacity, to include non active duty personnel taking up many of the on-post homes. They'd be in your current situation with having to come up with the funds to rent off post, purchase, etc, all while navigating the complexities of moving to the area from an alternate location. Not ideal to say the least.

All of the above said, the installation I am currently at has opened up on-post housing to retirees, gov employees, contractors etc, but there's only 2 areas on post where these non active duty folks can live. The rent is about the same as if these folks were paying BAH, however, they're also required to pay for electric, garbage, water, etc. I'd speak to your local housing office and ask if they have the option for you to remain in on-post housing (might not be your current neighborhood) once you're out and get the specifics of location, cost, lease terms, etc.

Lastly, and again, not trying to sound harsh, but if you've been going through an MEB, you've known that it was likely that you were going to be discharged for many months. The expectation is to plan accordingly to ensure you transition as smoothly as possible, to include planning to exit on-post housing. In my experience, too many SMs confuse "privileges" or "entitlements" with "rights" and they get upset when something doesn't go there way, even if long standing policy clearly articulates specific rules, regulations, and policies. There's always a way to get through a tough situation. Pick yourself up and make it happen, it's the only way. I wish you the best of luck during your transition.
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I completely understand your point of view, but then again I’m not requesting to stay here because of “privileges” or because I want to, I knew I was getting out the Army, and I’ve been looking for places and have spent over 150$ just applying for houses/ apartments nearby, but most of these places require me to have an actual income and like 4800$ or more just for downpayment and like twice the rent, which I don’t have and it’s been a hassle for me, we only have my wife’s income.. and I had to find a job near post just to try and save up some money to see if we can move out asap, but all the places keep saying yes we’re going to go through your application and never call me back ‍♂️ I’m just stuck in between you know cause if it was for me I would’ve been gone. And then again as a retiree I’m entitled to that benefit right? So why not help me out till next year when I get my taxes and be able to move atleast. That’s what kind of upsets me.
 
soonami said:
Not to sound harsh, but from an objective perspective, why do you think you're entitled to remain on-post even after you're no longer on active duty? SMs have always been required to give up their on-post quarters once they're no longer in service. There are exceptions depending on your local installation's housing metrics, extension requests for 30, 60, 90 days etc., but it's always been policy for the SM to move. This ensures the local housing areas maintain an available inventory for incoming personnel who choose to live on-post while they're still on active duty. Sounds like you're in a tough position, but put yourself in the shoes of an incoming family. What if they couldn't get on-post housing because the base was at 100% capacity, to include non active duty personnel taking up many of the on-post homes. They'd be in your current situation with having to come up with the funds to rent off post, purchase, etc, all while navigating the complexities of moving to the area from an alternate location. Not ideal to say the least.

All of the above said, the installation I am currently at has opened up on-post housing to retirees, gov employees, contractors etc, but there's only 2 areas on post where these non active duty folks can live. The rent is about the same as if these folks were paying BAH, however, they're also required to pay for electric, garbage, water, etc. I'd speak to your local housing office and ask if they have the option for you to remain in on-post housing (might not be your current neighborhood) once you're out and get the specifics of location, cost, lease terms, etc.

Lastly, and again, not trying to sound harsh, but if you've been going through an MEB, you've known that it was likely that you were going to be discharged for many months. The expectation is to plan accordingly to ensure you transition as smoothly as possible, to include planning to exit on-post housing. In my experience, too many SMs confuse "privileges" or "entitlements" with "rights" and they get upset when something doesn't go there way, even if long standing policy clearly articulates specific rules, regulations, and policies. There's always a way to get through a tough situation. Pick yourself up and make it happen, it's the only way. I wish you the best of luck during your transition.
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This was perfectly put. I feel for the poster but this could be a great example for those following....
 
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