No, you generally cannot live with your girlfriend in military housing or receive dependent benefits for her unless you are legally married.
Understanding Military Housing and Dependency
Military housing and benefits are typically reserved for service members and their legal dependents. A girlfriend, regardless of the length or seriousness of the relationship, does not qualify as a legal dependent under military regulations.
- Military Housing (On-Base): Military housing is typically reserved for service members and their families, defined as legally married spouses and dependent children. Living with a girlfriend in on-base housing is generally prohibited.
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): BAH is a monetary allowance provided to service members to offset the cost of housing when they do not live in government-provided housing. While BAH rates can vary based on dependency status (with dependents receiving a higher rate), your girlfriend would not qualify as a dependent for BAH purposes unless you are married.
- Other Benefits: Many other benefits, such as healthcare and certain legal protections, extend only to legally recognized spouses and dependents.
Alternatives and Considerations
If you wish to live with your girlfriend and receive the associated benefits, marriage is generally the only option recognized by the military.
- Off-Base Housing: You are free to live with your girlfriend off-base, using your BAH to cover the rent. However, she will not be recognized as a dependent by the military, and you will not receive a higher BAH rate based on her presence.
- Marriage: If you marry your girlfriend, she will become your legal dependent, making you eligible for additional BAH, on-base housing (if available), and other benefits. However, this is a significant life decision that should not be taken lightly solely for the sake of benefits.
In Summary
While you can live with your girlfriend while serving in the military, you generally cannot do so in military housing or receive dependency benefits for her unless you are married. The military recognizes only legally married spouses and dependent children as dependents for housing and benefit purposes.
