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USMilitaryMoves connects military families with verified veteran and military-spouse real estate agents. Families browse agents for free, submit referrals, and get matched with agents who understand VA loans, BAH, and PCS timelines. The platform is completely free, no fees, no commissions, no catch.

Is USMilitaryMoves free for military families?

Yes, completely free for military families and for agents. There are no fees, no subscriptions, no commissions, and no obligations. This platform exists solely to serve the military community.

What is BAH and how is it calculated?

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly tax-free housing stipend paid to service members who live off base. It is calculated based on three factors: your paygrade (rank), your duty station zip code, and whether you have dependents. BAH is set annually by the Department of Defense and is designed to cover median housing costs in each local market. Use the free BAH Calculator at usmilitarymoves.com/bah-calculator to look up rates by rank and installation.

What is a VA loan and can I use it more than once?

A VA loan is a mortgage benefit for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Key benefits include no down payment required, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, and no prepayment penalties. Yes, you can use your VA loan benefit multiple times as long as you have remaining entitlement or have paid off and restored a previous VA loan.

What is PCS and how long does a PCS move take to plan?

PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military's process of ordering a service member to relocate to a new duty assignment. Ideally, PCS planning begins 6 months before your report date. Key milestones include receiving orders, submitting housing applications, completing a house-hunting trip, locking in housing, coordinating TMO or DITY move logistics, and in-processing at the gaining unit. Use the free PCS Mission Planner at usmilitarymoves.com/pcs-planner to generate a personalized T-minus timeline.

How do I find a military-friendly real estate agent at my new duty station?

Browse our verified agent directory at usmilitarymoves.com/agents. Every agent in the network has been identity-verified as a veteran or military spouse. You can filter by state, installation, branch of service, and VA loan experience. Each agent profile shows their military background, transaction history, and reviews from military families they have served.

What military installations have base guides on USMilitaryMoves?

USMilitaryMoves publishes comprehensive PCS guides for major military installations including Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) NC, Camp Pendleton CA, Joint Base Lewis-McChord WA, Fort Campbell KY, Joint Base San Antonio TX, Naval Station Norfolk VA, Joint Base Charleston SC, Fort Carson CO, and MacDill AFB FL. Each guide covers neighborhoods, school ratings, BAH rates, housing intel, commute tips, and insider advice from military families. Find all base guides at usmilitarymoves.com/bases.

What is the difference between a DITY move and a government move (TMO)?

A government move (TMO or Transportation Management Office move) means the military contracts and pays movers to pack and transport your household goods. A DITY move (Do-It-Yourself, now called PPM, Personally Procured Move) means you move your own belongings and the military reimburses you based on the weight you move. A hybrid move combines both: the government ships large items and you move the rest for additional reimbursement. DITY moves can result in profit if you move efficiently, but require more planning and effort.

Can military families use their BAH to pay a mortgage?

Yes, many military families use their BAH allowance to cover their mortgage payment. With a VA loan, you can purchase a home with zero down payment and no PMI, which often results in a monthly payment comparable to or lower than local rents. A verified military real estate agent can help you determine whether your BAH will cover a mortgage payment in your new duty station market.

Who can submit a referral on USMilitaryMoves?

Anyone can submit a referral on USMilitaryMoves, no real estate license required. Military family members, command spouse leaders, chaplains, VA loan officers, out-of-area agents, and community members are all eligible. It's free to submit and free for the family. Submit a referral at usmilitarymoves.com/refer.

Air Force3,000 active duty

Altus AFB

Altus Air Force Base · Altus, Oklahoma

Altus AFB is the Air Force's primary formal training unit for C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and KC-46 Pegasus aircrew and instructors, making it the busiest mobility training base in the Air Force. Located in Altus in southwest Oklahoma, the base is remote by national standards but offers a warm community with genuine small-city hospitality and an outdoor lifestyle in the Great Plains. Families stationed here typically form close bonds that last throughout a military career.

E-5 BAH: $1,110
O-3 BAH: $1,440
Avg Home Price: $155,000
Branch: Air Force

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Neighborhoods

Altus

Small City

$850 to $1,200/mo

The only community of scale adjacent to the base, offering affordable housing across the board.

Altus North

Suburban

$900 to $1,300/mo

Newer developments on the north side of Altus popular with officer families.

Blair

Small Town

$700 to $1,000/mo

Very small community northeast of Altus with ultra-low prices for those seeking rural living.

Lawton

City

$1,000 to $1,400/mo

Fort Sill Army community 70 miles east providing more shopping and dining options for weekend trips.

Schools

Altus High School

Grades 9-12

Primary high school for military families in the Altus community.

Altus Middle School

Grades 6-8

District middle school serving the military and civilian community in Altus.

Lincoln Park Elementary

Grades K-5

Elementary school in Altus popular with military families on the north side of town.

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

On-base housing managed by Balfour Beatty has good availability and well-maintained family homes.

Off-Post Rental Market

Altus offers some of the cheapest housing near any Air Force installation in the country.

Commute

Altus is 5 to 10 minutes from the main gate. There is essentially no traffic in the area.

Installation Highlights

Busiest Air Force mobility training base with C-17, KC-135, and KC-46 formal training units
Extremely affordable cost of living among the lowest in the Air Force
Close-knit training community where friendships form quickly in a remote setting
Lake Altus-Lugert and Quartz Mountain State Park provide outstanding outdoor recreation
Great Plains stargazing with minimal light pollution in every direction

Insider Tips

Save aggressively here; the low BAH is offset by some of the lowest actual housing costs in the Air Force.
Quartz Mountain State Park is a beautiful local gem for hiking, camping, and lake recreation.
Connect with the Altus AFB Spouses Club immediately; the community rallies around newcomers in remote assignments.
Oklahoma City is about 2.5 hours northeast for shopping, sports, and airport travel.
Embrace the small-city lifestyle; Altus residents are genuinely welcoming to military families.

Nearby Attractions

Quartz Mountain State Park and Lake Altus-Lugert
Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton
Great Plains State Park on Lake Texoma
Lawton and Fort Sill historical sites

School Liaison Officer

Free support for military families navigating school enrollment, records transfers, and education options near Altus Air Force Base.

Phone: 580-481-7396
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Moving to Altus?

Find a verified veteran or military spouse Realtor who knows Altus Air Force Base and the local VA loan market.

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Did We Miss Something?

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