Two things you didn't consider are where you want your kids raised and how well you manage money. If you value the army life and think that would benefit your kids, then on base is better. Also, if you are terrible at paying bills on time, then you should stay on base, so that you don't have to make rent and basic bills.

I lived as a dependent at Fort Hood. Felt very safe. Then dad retired and I had to get used to all those wild civilian kids who were so fascinated with guns. To us, guns were like mechanics tools, something your dad took to work and you knew how dangerous they were and you didn’t touch them. I think it’s good for kids to live on base as they understand order and authority and how behavior reflects on the family. They see structure all day. I still miss it.

Basically if the price is right Off post > On post

Having been a cook, i can attest to the idea about the fatigue associated with certain jobs and doing it "off the clock", I spend 6-12 hours cooking and don't feel like cooking at home after work

headed to MEPS next week, i've been watching your videos for a while now and i just wanted to say, you've really been a HUGE motivator for me to get back in shape (currently 6'2" @154lbs) and put the heart into doing my best. watching your videos has really helped me to understand what to expect/how to prepare for basic training. I've been super nervous in regards to 'underperforming' at basic, and i just gotta say, you're a saving grace for guys like me who know nothing about what makes a "proper" soldier, those who are nervous about basic training, and how to get ready for the transformation from civilian to soldier. And im not blowing smoke up you're ass when i say that you've really been an inspiration for me thus far. Much love from CT my man! ARMY STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for this video! I was wondering if living on or off base is better, but this video gave me a good insight of both.

Nice video Matt it helped me out alot ever Time u upload I learn something new

I love your videos! Thank you for all of the information

This is all good since I’m not joining for a while your channel gives me a good place to learn

I don't know about the US-Army but in Germany when you lived on base and say the weekend guard was a man short because of a sickcall or whatever then YOU would be the first to be approached to step in. And if they actually were able to find you in person because you were sitting at home then there was almost no way out of this.

When I was in the Army and a Lower Enlisted I lived in the Barracks and it SUCKED because of the constant Room Inspections and having to clean up for the IG Inspection. When I made E-5 it was much better because I was in a 2 man Room with a fellow NCO and we never got our Room Inspected like the Privates did. I got married and lived in Base Housing which SUCKED because I was the Sr. Occupant and would receive letters telling me to have the other Building Occupants to clean up around their units, mow their lawn, and water their lawns. I hated having to go door to door and tell other Occupants to clean up around their units. A few "FLIPPED ME OFF" so I had to report it to Base Housing who reported them to their CO's who made them do what I had told them to do. It was a constant hassle so I moved off base which was so much better. Fast Forward to today 2020 over Forty Eight Years Later, the Pay is so much more than what I was earning and so is the BAQ and Other Allowances. If I could do it all over again, I would become either a Warrant Officer or a Officer and I would live OFF BASE.

Thank you for your service.

The commute is the biggest factor for me. I would much rather live on post/base and have 5-10 minute commute than commute 20-40 minutes one-way. But I see the benefits of both. Lot of factors to consider.

Great video bro. 👍

Thank you great video!

Great video, I think I would choose to live on base for extra safety and security

Haven’t passed by your channel in a while, Glad you been doing well! We’re back tho😂🤞🏾

My 2 cents actually belong to my brother. When he and his wife got to his first duty station, they originally lived off base about 25-30 minutes away. When corona first hit, all of the soldiers were confined to a certain mile radius of the base and they were just inside that radius. In a week he and his unit are going overseas for training in Romania and my sister in law is pregnant, so to make things easier on the both of them they moved on base for the convenience and they someone managed to get a house super close to a bunch of their friends which they like obviously.

Matt Vs Nava, we're patiently waiting

The only thing I'm going to add to your video, Matt is this. When I was in Alaska (Ft. Wainwright) I did have a "choice" of two houses - I had 4 dependents - 3 children and the the now ex-wife. If I didn't want either I would have gone to the bottom of the list and the process would have started all over - it took nearly 8 months - nice thing is, I had a 4 full bedroom, two and 1/2 bath huge place. (it was a "six-plex." That was my 1st option and took it - also had a heated garage. Back then (in the late 90's) it was the newest housing that Wainwright had! Fenced back yard - concrete driveway, blah, blah, blah! :) Have a good one - love all your videos! And I was active duty for 6 and NG for nealy 4!

Good info. It's interesting to see what has changed and what has not since I enlisted 28 years ago.

What you say about getting tired of the same routine while living ON base is true, happens all the time in similar jobs so you have to be sure you want that. Thanks for the info!!

We live off base and actually get a much better deal since we get a good $400 of the BAH to pocket each month. On base had a year wait list for his rank and number of dependents

I lived of post and on post and from my experience, neither route is superior and is highly dependent on where you're stationed. I would say if you are on a career track, lean towards living off post and if you're planning on getting out try and live on post. IMHO the careerists need to rub elbows with the general population as much as possible before they get in the situation where they practically have to live on post and they're sucked into The Bubble. For the dudes doing a hitch and ETSing, living on post is a unique experience since there are damned few company towns let in the US!

Can you maybe talk about the VA home loan? Love your vids!

Just a small correction about BAH... There are two types with dependent or without. BAH is no longer based on your number of family members.

Hey Matt thanks for your videos really appreciate them. can you make a video about living at fam camp in an RV?

Loved the video. Can’t wait till I’m able to be in the army

Best channel ever

Great video

I lived in 3 cities while my father was in the Army my pop was a E-8 Sgt Mag. My father was an Enlisted man in the Army. My best memory living in Germany was Parmesans Germany we lived in only a 3 Bedroom and my father had 5 Dependents /Wife and 4 children. My Best memories of my life Growing up l learn to Speak German it's Mandatory in the Grade Schools my mother was German and she taught me some German the best she could. She always would send me to the German Stores and as kids we called it German Town my father was station to 4 German Cities that l recall Bamberg Germany where my dad met my mom they fell in love and he brought her to the states. Then there was Manheim Germany and Heidelberg Germany and of course Permasens Germany. I was Born on the Audubon between Manheim and Heidelberg they are right next door my parents lived in Manheim and Army Hospital was in Heidelberg. When my mother arrived at the Hospital in Heidelberg the Doctor wasn't happy with my mom since she did all the work the Doctor ask my mother which city would she like on my Birth Certificate she told him Heidelberg since she was on her way there.

The best!

Most helpful KZfaq

I lived under a Navy brat lifestyle and most of my life I lived in ghetto ass/slum neighborhoods until I lived with my dad at the Pt. Mugu base in Oxnard, CA. That was like heaven for my 10 year old self at the time since I was able to finally learn how to bike because my mom wouldn't let me go out due to how dangerous it was before. Now here I am debating on getting my own pad or not once I'm in the Army for 15W 👍

Sometimes the traffic getting onto base can be a headache

I liked living on post. We had a nice 2BR townhouse in a cul de sac. I was an E4 with neighbors being E5-E7. Commissary and PX were a couple blocks away. Didn't have to worry about crime or ghetto stuff outside the gate. 3 minute drive to work. I could stop home for lunch or a quickie with the wife. : )

I love your vids man, but I have to watch them at 1.5x speed

if anyones watching this and is gonna be going to elmendorf richardson in alaska (the one near anchorage) the houses are nice on base. if you want to live off base live in eagle river not anchorage.

So I can ALWAYS live on post right? Like I could technically never need to pay rent

Thank you

if two guys in the same unit wanted to rent an apartment or house together, would that double their overall BAH amount or by signing on the same lease are they both cut to half? Also, is the amount that one receives based on rank?

Great channel

I’m an army wife and my husband is in AIT right now. I’m supposed to be looking for a house off base within 4 weeks. How do I find a good home if I’ve never been to that area?

Have you ever come across stolen valor before?

on base of course

Hello. I have a question since I’m yet to find a video on. Does my husband get bah while at basic training? Thank you so much, you have answered soooo many unanswered questions I had. I appreciate you

Tbh I don't plan to go into the army but idk just got done with freshman year of high school thinking about doing rtc, but I don't know

Matt Ward I leave to basic training in August 27th! :) So, in one month I will be shipping off to basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia. My mos is Infantry 11x so I'll be there for 14 weeks = OSUT I really want to thank you for this great content. I been studying, preparing for the pt test. After watching this video I was able to run 2 miles in 13 minutes and 61 pushups in 2 min and 64 sit-ups in 2 min. I have a question, I want to become an Infantry 11b not a charlie cuz I'm not interested in mortars. Please give me some tips on how I can get chosen for 11b, thank you

How necessary is a car living on post? Is there dorms and housing on post?

I have a feeling my question on a previous video of yours had something to do with this video ;) In all seriousness though, this video (as well as your other vids) definitely helped. I'm writing a fiction novel featuring a character that joins the military, so I want to replicate a military experience as accurately as possible while making it entertaining and interesting. So I hope I don't annoy you by asking a bunch of dumb questions. XD Btw, you gotta feel for the soldiers that are single and own/rent a home already. They have to leave it pretty much abandoned for 10 weeks, possibly more. :/

Living on post, are you allowed to have civilian clothing in the barracks? Can you online shop and get clothes sent to you directly? Or can you go off post to a mall and do some shopping in your free time?

At camp Penilton around base we get 3,800-4,500 a month of BAH. 1,500 is dirt cheap housing haha.

hey Matt, i'm trying to be a 68w and if i cant get get that occupation i'm just going to be an 11b i'm 17 with a GED ill be talking to a recruiter sometime in August any tips to prepare myself for a 68w?

In malaysia some military/navy base has school airport house like not in the base

How necessary is having a car when you live on post? Like I plan on getting a car when I get to my first duty station but not like the first day.

Im heading to Fort Leonard wood on Monday

What are the requirements to live in a house/apartment on post ? And would you be living with your battle buddy?

All housings across the nation have a serious mold and mold problems. Most soldiers and their families are displaced.

I leave for basic training Aug 13 to Ft Sill. A couple weeks back I was nervous out of my mind but now I'm hyped and can't wait. Anyone shipping out soon as well?

When you living on base. Do they require you to use encryption phone?

But do they look through your packaging

So if you live on post they cover all rent and bills?

When I was in the Army, only married E-4 with over Two Years in could live in Base Housing. If you were an E-4 with less than Two years or an E-3 and Below Ranks and were married then you had to live Off Base. If you were an E-4 and Below and were not married you had to live in the Barracks

Prefer off base...Love you video...

If you live on base is most things free or do we have to pay for it

Hey do you know if you can buy old decommissioned military

Swore in today Fort Jackson October 29th MOS 92f

have you ever seen ft mitchill right out of ft benning

I loved living on base. Served 28 years, and lived on and off base and definitely prefer on base.

Since when the hell can you live off base and be active duty

Can you leave the base by yourself?

ship out August 7 92golf

Do I still get money if I go overseas i don't know what branch to join i want to travel rank up and get the most money any ideas thanks

My enlistment got pushed to late 2019, because I have a fine to pay off and it won't be paid off until late 2019, I'm lucky I didn't get my license suspended though

Hi what if you live in a van like the people who do van life just like a home on or off base ? Will you still get paid for gas and water supply ?

Can you live off base if you have a child and not married or an officer or E-6?

Do you get BAH right after AIT?

1st like and 1st view

I’m 16 and turn 18 in 2020, I want to join the army 11b straight outta Highschool. Do you think the military is gonna have any important changes at all by then? Or if you know of any changes?

So if you live off base and get BAH will that be added to the fact of your regular pay? So if I get paid 850 every 2 weeks will that be added to the BAH of 1500? Would you get paid BAH every 2 weeks as well?

Question for me is if I live on base could I have a room by myself ?

Show us your challenge coins

can reserves live on base?

I live near fort gordon

Do you keep some of the bah or get some extra income for 2 dependents while living on base so you can take care of wife and child?

You’re from Georgia ?! Same

Definitely a really helpful video. A new dlc came out for call of duty. If you get a little time off work cod stream? Lol

Potentially dumb question: Do reservists get BAH? Like. A smaller portion or anything?

fort gordon you lived in augusta ?

Talk about the royal gurkhas rifle regiment

If you have no intention on getting married/having kids or being an officer, there isn’t a way to live off base anyways, right?

Do you still get the food/grocery allowance living on base?

I think I’m going to live on post

Can you receive bah in the reserve

Seems like lunacy for a single person NOT to live on base.

I'm concerned about transportation? Like, do they provide you a car? Or would I myself have to buy one?

I have a question? Going to basic training soon but I still have a lease on appartment? Does the army or military pay for it?

Can i bring my car to my post?

You should do a video with Christopher Chaos

I ship off aug 28th so after basic ill definitly live on base