Navy Single Quarters

(Note: The below article is from the Aug 97 edition of Navy "All Hands" Magazine.

There are two ways the Navy satisfies the housing needs for unaccompanied permanent party personnel and transients: government provided berthing and government compensation.

Bachelor quarters (BQs) are available at 148 installations around the world. When adequate housing for unaccompanied personnel is not available, service members normally are eligible for compensation, either with their housing allowance or per diem.

Permanent party members without families are entitled to BAQ at the without-dependent rate, and transients are entitled to the quarters portion of per diem.

Navy installation commanders plan the usage of on-base BQs so that housing requirements are fulfilled in priority order. Service members with the greatest need for Navy BQs are accommodated on base. Of course, in areas with housing shortages, all eligible groups cannot always be accommodated. To provide adequate housing to as many residents as possible, assignment priorities have been established and implemented by OPNAVINST 11103.1B. For each pay grade, DOD has defined adequate assignment standards. Residents should receive no less than what is specified when assignment to a BQ is mandatory, except in cases of military necessity.

At some locations, civilian housing costs and shortages of BQs on base combine to make adequate quarters difficult to find or unavailable.
When there are not adequate BQs available for assignment, Navy members may volunteer to live in BQs that do not meet assignment standards for their pay grade.
The Navy also helps members find a place to live in the civilian community through referral services.

BQ Standards
Minimum standards of adequacy for assignment of permanent party personnel and PCS students.
Grade	Minimum Standards
O-3 and above	400 sq. feet net living area; Living room, bedroom, private bath, access to kitchen or officers dining facility receiving appropriated funds.
W-1 to O-2	250 sq. feet, net living area; Combination sleeping/living room with private bath.
E-7 to E-9	270 sq. feet, net living area; Private room; private bath.
E-5 to E-6	135 sq. feet, net living area; Private room; bath shared with no more than one other.
E-1 to E-4, except E-1 recruits and trainees	90 sq. feet, net living area; Room with no more than four people; central bath facilities.
E-1 recruits and trainees	72 sq. feet, net living area. Open bay and central bath facilities.
Minimum standards of adequacy for assignment of temporary duty and transient personnel.
All officers and warrant officers	250 sq. feet, net living area. Private room, private bath
E-7 to E-9	250 sq. feet, net living area; Private room; bath shared by no more than one other.
E-5 to E-6	135 sq. feet, net living area; Private room; bath shared by no more than one other.
E-1 to E-4, except E-1 recruits and trainees	90 sq. feet, net living area; Open bay (minimum) and central bath facilities.
E-1 recruits and trainees	72 sq. feet, net living area; Open bay; central bath facilities.

U.S. Military