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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?

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?

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Army3,500

USAG Benelux (Chievres)

United States Army Garrison Benelux · Chievres, Belgium

USAG Benelux at Chievres Air Base supports the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) community and serves as a small but strategically important NATO-adjacent garrison. Located in rural Wallonia, Belgium, the garrison sits 45 miles from Brussels and within easy driving distance of Paris, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg. The international character of the community is unlike any other US garrison.

E-5 BAH: $1,700 OHA
O-3 BAH: $2,500 OHA
Avg Home Price: OHA covered
Branch: Army

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Neighborhoods

Chievres On-Post Housing

On-Post Family Housing

On-Post OHA/mo

Small, tight-knit housing area on the air base; very limited inventory.

Ath City

Off-Post Belgian

$900 to $1,300 equiv/mo

Nearest Belgian city 8 miles from post with apartments and Belgian town center.

Mons City Area

Off-Post Near SHAPE

$1,000 to $1,600 equiv/mo

Popular with dual-service families working both Chievres and SHAPE; near NATO HQ.

Lessines / Enghien

Off-Post Rural Belgian

$800 to $1,200 equiv/mo

Quiet Wallonian villages with charming Belgian homes and affordable prices.

Schools

SHAPE International School (Mons)

Grades K-13

Full IB program at SHAPE serving NATO community children from 30+ nations; outstanding academics.

Brussels American School

Grades K-12

Option for families requiring American-style curriculum near Brussels.

Ath International School

Grades K-8

Small international school in Ath serving the local NATO community.

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Very limited; most families live off-post in Mons or Ath area

Off-Post Rental Market

Belgian homes and apartments in Ath, Mons, and surrounding Wallonian villages

Commute

Chievres to SHAPE is 15 minutes. Brussels is 45 miles and 1 hour by car or train from Mons.

Installation Highlights

NATO SHAPE community assignment with unparalleled international exposure
Belgium's strategic location puts Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Luxembourg within a few hours by car or train
Belgian chocolate, waffles, and world-famous Trappist beers are cultural staples
Bruges, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, is 90 minutes north
Thalys and Eurostar high-speed trains accessible from Mons for European travel

Insider Tips

Belgium is officially trilingual; English is widely spoken in Brussels and international communities.
Buy a Belgian chocolate gift box at Leonidas or Neuhaus for the most culturally appropriate gesture.
The Thalys train from Mons reaches Paris in 75 minutes; book in advance for best prices.
Belgian bureaucracy requires registering your address with the local commune within 8 days of arrival.
Explore the battlefields of Waterloo, Ypres, and the Somme for profound World War history nearby.

Nearby Attractions

Bruges medieval city center and canal network
Waterloo Battlefield and Napoleon's last stand memorial
Brussels Grand Place and Manneken Pis
Ghent Gravensteen castle and vibrant student city
Ardennes forests and World War II Battle of the Bulge sites

School Liaison Officer

Free support for military families navigating school enrollment, records transfers, and education options near United States Army Garrison Benelux.

Phone: DSN 361-4226
DSN: 361-4226
Hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1630

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