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Any current or recent API Geo Bachelors?

millsra13

'Merica
pilot
Contributor
I am heading down to API from Newport next weekend and had a couple questions about being a geo bachelor if anyone has done it recently. I talked to the BOQ (Navy Gateway) at NASP and they said they have no rooms available for me and that I had to live out in town. Most of my BAH goes to the mortgage on the house I own in Millington, so my question is do I have to come out of pocket or is there some sort of stipend for geo bachelors with no room availability? I recieved per-diem when I was in Pcola for recruiter school a couple years ago so I assume it is the same for API (I'm pretty sure I read that on a post here one time). Will the per-diem cover the cost to split a reasonable apartment?
 

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Only guy I know to geo-batch in API had to live at Whiting Field. I don't believe he made per diem, but you can get family separation.
 

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
I got per diem and hotel for API in 2001, but NRD Boston was considered my previous duty station, and OCS & API were intermediate stops on my orders to TRAWING X.

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk
 

millsra13

'Merica
pilot
Contributor
Thanks gents! It seems like it depends on how my orders are written as to whether I get per diem during IFS and API. The lady at student control said something about a 341 vs. a 342 code for the intermediate activity will determine what I am entitled to. I guess worst case scenario I could geo-bach at Whiting and commute for IFS and API. Any more thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!
 

EM1toNFO

Killing insurgents with my 'messages'!!
None
I was a Geo-bach from mid-May until December. They sent me to live at Whiting. I drove to IFS in Mobile and Foley. I drove to API at NAS P-cola. No per-diem, no mileage, nothing. After I checked into TRAWING6 and started asking around, I soon realized that living at NAS Whiting Field was no longer a viable option (early briefs and such). So, I spoke to this guy, who referred me to that guy, who sen me to somebody's voice mail. Anyway, I was able to get a room (shared and not nearly the amount of space or kitchen area) at the old transient barracks (the tall 6 story building near the water where you probably stayed for NORU). I know because I recruited once as well. However, I only paid for cable and internet at Whiting/NAS Pensacola while I was geo-baching. Good Luck.
 

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
I was a Geo-bach from mid-May until December. They sent me to live at Whiting. I drove to IFS in Mobile and Foley. I drove to API at NAS P-cola. No per-diem, no mileage, nothing. After I checked into TRAWING6 and started asking around, I soon realized that living at NAS Whiting Field was no longer a viable option (early briefs and such). So, I spoke to this guy, who referred me to that guy, who sen me to somebody's voice mail. Anyway, I was able to get a room (shared and not nearly the amount of space or kitchen area) at the old transient barracks (the tall 6 story building near the water where you probably stayed for NORU). I know because I recruited once as well. However, I only paid for cable and internet at Whiting/NAS Pensacola while I was geo-baching. Good Luck.

Speak of the devil :cool: You did get family sep didn't you? I thought we all did.
 

hotmetal

on target
Similarly, I'm also looking to go geo-bach, with the stipulation that I can get a fully PCS dity after completing API. My wife is trying to wrap up a year working at the hospital shes at now, so she wants to stay until July. I'm trying to see if I can get unaccompanied API orders so that I can get geo-bach, and then get a full PCS DITY for primary.

Has anyone heard of anybody trying something similar?

millsra13, if you have any luck with the geo-bach route, can you please PM me what you found out?
 

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
That's how API orders are written...unaccompanied. You won't get paid for your PCS until Primary no matter what your wife does.
 

hotmetal

on target
That's how API orders are written...unaccompanied. You won't get paid for your PCS until Primary no matter what your wife does.

Wow, I had no idea, neither did anyone else in my command--including both aviators that have previously been to API... Thanks for the heads up.

I assume then that BAH will continue at the rate of my previous duty station, where my wife is living?
 

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
No, you will get BAH at the Pensacola rate. BAH is determined by your duty station, whether you geo-batch or not. I've heard of some exceptions, but they are not the rule. You might want to ask PSD for specific guidance on this. You will get family separation for every month your wife isn't here though.

Yeah, most of us married dudes had to foot the bill (not the move specifically, but the first month's rent, etc) and then get paid for our PCS after API.
 

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Found it...http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqbah.cfm

Geographically separated families (geographic bachelors) are normally eligible for BAH based on the member's duty station. Each Service budgets for support of a certain number of members and families at each location. If a growing number of people decide to leave their families in Washington, or Tampa while the member PCSs to Mt Home or Ft. Hood that could skew the budget and service support planning for these locations. Also, a fundamental philosophy of military service is that members, with their families, create a better work environment and esprit de corps when they can be active participants in the local base and community. In certain circumstances, with specific approval of the Secretary of the Service concerned, a member may be granted an exception to receive BAH based on the dependent's location. For example if a member has a sick child that requires medical attention only available in a certain location (say Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC), and the member receives a PCS order, the member might leave the family in Washington and request BAH eligibility for that location. Such exceptions do not ordinarily apply to spousal employment or other personal choices.
 

hotmetal

on target
I think the important verbage from the instruction is: "people decide to leave". Since API orders are unaccompanied, and its without choice, I believe you actually qualify for BAH at the previous rate; however, as suggested I'll call up PSD.

Seriously though, I appreciate you taking the time to look that up for me, I'm checking out the rest of the FAQ now.
 

wlawr005

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
No worries. However, I think the important verbiage in your case is "Such exceptions do not ordinarily apply to spousal employment or other personal choices." API orders are unaccompanied, but they are only TAD, not PCS. It's not like they are asking you to leave your family for three years, just six weeks. Only arduous sea duty would qualify for what I think you are trying to justify.
 
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