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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.

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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.

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What military installations have base guides on USMilitaryMoves?

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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?

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Navy7,000

NAF Atsugi

Naval Air Facility Atsugi · Ayase, Japan

Naval Air Facility Atsugi is the home of Carrier Air Wing Five and is the forward-deployed aviation hub for the US Navy in the Western Pacific. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture between Tokyo and the coast, Atsugi sits in a suburban Japanese setting offering access to both urban Tokyo and traditional rural Japan. F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers operate from this unique forward-deployed facility.

E-5 BAH: $2,300 OHA
O-3 BAH: $3,300 OHA
Avg Home Price: OHA covered
Branch: Navy

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Neighborhoods

NAF Atsugi On-Post Housing

On-Post Family Housing

On-Post OHA/mo

On-post housing on the main airfield; well-maintained with a strong Navy community.

Sagamino Housing Area

On-Post Annex

On-Post OHA/mo

Off-site Navy housing area in Sagamihara; popular with E-6 and above families.

Ayase / Ebina City

Off-Post Japanese Suburban

$1,100 to $1,700 equiv/mo

Japanese suburbs surrounding the base with excellent train access and local amenities.

Yamato City

Off-Post Urban

$1,300 to $1,900 equiv/mo

Largest nearby city on the Odakyu and Sagami lines; 35 minutes to Shinjuku.

Schools

Atsugi Elementary School

Grades K-5

On-post DoDEA school with a culturally engaged faculty and Japan exchange programs.

Atsugi Middle High School

Grades 6-12

Combined 6-12 DoDEA school with AP courses, JROTC, and strong athletic programs.

St. Mary International School

Grades K-12

International private school option in Tokyo accessible by train.

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Available; demand is high given small size of the facility

Off-Post Rental Market

Japanese apartments in Ayase, Yamato, Ebina, and Sagamihara

Commute

Tokyo Shinjuku is 35 to 45 minutes by Odakyu train from Yamato or Sagami-Ono. On-post commute is minutes.

Installation Highlights

Home of Carrier Air Wing Five, the US Navy's only forward-deployed carrier air wing
Tokyo is 30 miles north via Odakyu Line or expressway
Yokohama and Kamakura are 30 to 45 minutes by train for coastal and cultural day trips
Japanese suburban lifestyle with safety, cleanliness, and extraordinary food culture
Mount Fuji is visible from the airfield on clear days

Insider Tips

Buy a Suica or Pasmo card for train travel to Tokyo, Yokohama, and beyond.
The Odakyu Romancecar train to Hakone makes for an easy and beautiful day trip.
Aviation schedules are irregular; establish a family emergency communication plan early.
Japan's convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) are exceptional; use them daily.
Explore Kamakura by bicycle from Ofuna Station for an ideal Japanese coastal experience.

Nearby Attractions

Kamakura Great Buddha and coastal temple hiking trails
Yokohama Chinatown and Minato Mirai waterfront
Hakone National Park with onsen and Fuji views
Tokyo Akihabara, Shibuya, and Tsukiji outer market
Enoshima Island lighthouse and sea caves

School Liaison Officer

Free support for military families navigating school enrollment, records transfers, and education options near Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

Phone: DSN 264-3745
DSN: 264-3745
Hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1630

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