Some 2012 Camp Pendleton Housing Allowances Climb, Others Dip [Poll, BAH Calculator]

The Department of Defense released its 2012 Basic Allowance for Housing numbers Thursday, which take effect Jan. 1. It shows increases and decreases in the pay, but decreases will only affect new troops in the area, according to the department.

Marines with dependents assigned to Camp Pendleton up to the rank of gunnery sergeant will see an increase of up to $63, while the higher enlisted ranks will see a decrease $51 to $81. Junior officers will also see an increase, but those at the rank of captain (or warrant officer 2) and above will receive less. Marine captains and Navy lieutenants will have the largest decrease of junior and field grade officers at $84.

Decreases will only apply to members newly reporting to those locations, the Department of Defense reported. Increases will affect all service members.

Across the department, the rates increased an average of 2 percent this year, it reported.

In a release, the department explained its three components included in the BAH computation: median current market rent; average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer); and average renter's insurance.

Total housing costs are calculated for six housing profiles (based on dwelling type and number of bedrooms) in each military housing area. Basic Allowance for Housing rates are then calculated for each pay grade, both with and without dependents. An estimated $20 billion will be paid to over 1 million service members in 2012.

Calculate your housing allowance rate with the Department of Defense BAH calculator.

If you have any housing-related concerns, Patch would love to hear them. Email local editor Daniel Woolfolk at daniel.woolfolk@patch.com or leave a comment.

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