text: The pay you rare referring to is called Quarters, and Variable Housing Allowance.  Back when I was in the military, I got 465 a month, for Quarters and VHA while I lived in an apartment.  When I moved onto base housing, they took that part off my pay.\n\nThe policy will vary from base to base.  If you are stationed where the housing is very good, then it is likely that the housing will be full.  In that case there will be a waiting list.  In some cases those with kids may get priority, on others they may not.  Usually rank makes a difference as well.\n\nWhen I was in the Air Force, the housing was sub-standard.  So married military members E4 or below where required to take housing, and NCO’s could live off base.  Usually the power went out daily, the roof leaked, and the toilets backed up all the time.  The house was built in the 1940s with no air-conditioning, but were retro-fitted in the 1970’s.  They were in poor condition at best.  They have since been torn down and rebuilt.  Keep in mind that I got out in 1993.