ok so i am a new army wife and about to move on base for the first time. Ok so i know that the army can come and inspect the house we will be living in, but I was just told that they dont give you notice, dont knock, and even walk into the bathrooms, a friend of mine was raised on base and she said that growing up she was walked in on twice once in the shower and once on the toilet now i know that was 15/20 years ago.. but as this is all i have to go on is it true? can the army enter the house without knocking or notice? I hope this is not a silly question.Thank you
We were given notice prior to any possible inspections. I've never known anyone who had them simply walk into the house unannounced.
Sgt Mom
Everything becomes a little clearer, I realize what life is all about. It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough, It's giving more when you feel like giving up. ~ In My Daughter's Eyes, Martina McBride
thank you so much,i know that when we signed up for this life that allot of things would be changing but i did not think i would have to shower in my clothes!! lol Thank you again this sight has really made me feel allot more comfortable making this move.Thank you again
I think a lot of "stories" you hear are just people messing with the "newbies." This is my first time living on post, I've been a newbie for 6 months. Heard a TON of rules and things, have booklets of what's acceptable, etc... and I follow every rule to the letter.
Well, my neighbors have pitbulls, some smoke pot on post, they park in red zones and in their yards and NEVER get ticketed, their cats run around loose, trash containers sit in the middle of the sidewalk ALL WEEK LONG, families have people living with them who aren't supposed to be here... and no one says anything to them. I reported an issue before and nothing was done. So, now, I just live my life and try to avoid the ones breaking the rules as much as possible.
But really, as long as your are keeping your house decent and aren't breaking any laws or rules... who cares if they look around?
Nicky, are you not allowed to have pitbulls at your post?
OP, while it can happen, I think that those ocassions where something like that happened was either a LOOONG time ago or there is something wrong going on in the household or rumors of it. I have never even heard stories like that even with growing up in the military. My dad was even security forces and I never heard stories from him either. Just do what you are supposed to and I am sure you won't have an issue.
You guys are all so helpful and willing to share and i first of all wanted to thank you all for that.
I really dont care if hey come in and look i like to keep a clean house, i was just having visions of stepping out of the shower and having strange men in my house, or a facemask and jammies on lol.
regarding the pets incase anyone knows are snakes limited to a size?
In recent memory( within the last 5 years) this did indeed happen to someone I knew. Granted it was TOTALLY justified and was something like their fourth 'run in' with housing that the command had to get involved with, but yes, the Housing office, the Base and the command all had a representative show up at her housing unit unannounced.
net result was..they were kicked out of housing..for several reasons, some of which were..their entire home was filthy top to bottom, the four kids they had..hadn't physically been living there for over a year( long story on that too and irrelevant to the topic) and the fact that her dogs were never tagged, chipped and properly restrained( in fact they escaped during the wildfire evacuation and one was never seen again, and it took three months before she found the other on in a shelter.
does it happen. YES. does it happen often or without a MAJOR good reason..NO.
Absolutely NOT true (generally speaking).....now will they bust in if they think there is something bad going on? I would hope so, but that would be MP's involved and not just your dh's command. What you've heard about (albeit with a lot of misconceptions) are Health and Welfare checks and they are usually done by the Command. In 22 years we have never had an obvious one (although...the 1SG just stopping by to see how things are going, can be a very laid back H&W check). They will not come in and go through your house with a fine tooth comb, they won't walk into the bathroom on you (if someone did, I'd file charges against them with the police!) Even 15-20 years ago they did NOT do things like that. They don't have that right and that's not a H&W check. IF that happened to your friend, then there is much more to the story than she's telling you. The military has the right to do checks in any quarters you are residing in (even off post tetchnically, although they rarely do that), because if you are drawing BAH, you are still being provided housing by the military in a sense.
Originally posted by BamaMom07: Absolutely NOT true (generally speaking).....now will they bust in if they think there is something bad going on? I would hope so, but that would be MP's involved and not just your dh's command. What you've heard about (albeit with a lot of misconceptions) are Health and Welfare checks and they are usually done by the Command. In 22 years we have never had an obvious one (although...the 1SG just stopping by to see how things are going, can be a very laid back H&W check). They will not come in and go through your house with a fine tooth comb, they won't walk into the bathroom on you (if someone did, I'd file charges against them with the police!) Even 15-20 years ago they did NOT do things like that. They don't have that right and that's not a H&W check. IF that happened to your friend, then there is much more to the story than she's telling you. The military has the right to do checks in any quarters you are residing in (even off post tetchnically, although they rarely do that), because if you are drawing BAH, you are still being provided housing by the military in a sense.
This is the other popular misconception, the Army pays for your housing therefore they have the right to inspect your quaters, like they do with a barracks room. They do not.
If the command tried to push it, they have no legal standing and could actually get themselves into trouble.
Just as an apartment complex has the right to come in and check their property, the housing office does as well. We lived on base in Mayport within the past few years and a house up the street had a "health and welfare" check. The houses are 2 family attached units and the adjoining unit complained about the smell, bugs, and overall health concerns. The unit was inspected by housing and the service members COC, the family was removed. (the place was naaaasty!!)
They do not come busting in the door and throw things around like they show the cops doing in movies.
Originally posted by _JB: This is the other popular misconception, the Army pays for your housing therefore they have the right to inspect your quaters, like they do with a barracks room. They do not.
If the command tried to push it, they have no legal standing and could actually get themselves into trouble.
I'm talking about Health and Welfare checks and yes they are done in private off post housing at times (often no, but is it allowed if need be, yes). I didn't say "inspections" like they do in the barracks....they don't do that in housing either for the type checks I'm referring to.
I know this is an old post, but I was just informed by my Bunny of a Health and Welfare check that the 1SGT may be doing.
Now I'm freaked out. I've never had this done since we moved in. I am frustrated at the fact that I'm constantly picking up and cleaning up after my 3 kids.
So...they won't walk into the restrooms? What about the bedrooms? Ugh! My bedroom is my only sanctuary and it does get messy because I have to put everything up because of my little one.
How about the closet? Ugh! I am getting worried. I mean I have a full closet of stuffs. I can't control how my mom keeps her room.
Ugh. I am freaking out with this.
What should I make sure of doing?
Plus can the 1sgt stop on by unannounced? I am worried that I won't be home at that time. It would be horrible if only my mom was here. I have a busy schedule this week as it is with volunteering for school and training.
If anyone comes in unannounced, it will be the MPs, and they'll show you the search warrant before they walk in the front door.
Or at least knock and tell you that the neighbors reported yelling/fighting/general loud noise, etc, and ask if everything is OK.
The correct method is NOT to to tell you that "neighbors reported" yelling/fighting/etc. as that could put the neighbors in danger of retailiation. More appropriate would be.."We have reports of..."
H&W checks are actually part of the 1sgts job-its probably not going to be announced anymore than it already has been-and he will probably come at time when you husband is at home-just in the evening-just a stop by hi how ya doing ect-now if he were to get the sense that all was not well between you and your DH-he might come by unannouced at another time-but the real point of H and W checks is to make sure that all is good on the home front-and that everyone is well and happy-they arent looking to see if you have soap on the shower walls and the bed is unmade.
Originally posted by Wyldheart: I know this is an old post, but I was just informed by my Bunny of a Health and Welfare check that the 1SGT may be doing.
Now I'm freaked out. I've never had this done since we moved in. I am frustrated at the fact that I'm constantly picking up and cleaning up after my 3 kids.
So...they won't walk into the restrooms? What about the bedrooms? Ugh! My bedroom is my only sanctuary and it does get messy because I have to put everything up because of my little one.
How about the closet? Ugh! I am getting worried. I mean I have a full closet of stuffs. I can't control how my mom keeps her room.
Ugh. I am freaking out with this.
What should I make sure of doing?
Plus can the 1sgt stop on by unannounced? I am worried that I won't be home at that time. It would be horrible if only my mom was here. I have a busy schedule this week as it is with volunteering for school and training.
Do whatever you fell comfortable with. He has no legal authority to stop by or for you to even allow him in the house. If anything make sure there's no animal crap on the floor or over flowing garbage and the dishes haven't been done for months.
Just my opinion, he's a lazy 1SG. Soldiers will talk and all you have to do is listen and find out those who are having troubles at home. You don't need to go to their house.
My DH came home last night to tell me that someone from his unit will be coming to inspect our off base housing tomorrow. Apparently whilst the unit knows they legally cannot do an inspection without involving the Housing office, my DH has been warned not to make a deal out of it. So, whilst our house is usually clean and (mostly!) tidy, i've spent the better part of the day cleaning because i've got no idea what they're looking for, where they will be looking or how detailed their inspection will be. If nothing else my house is now pristine What is bothering me is that given the hours my DH works, its fairly obvious that its I, the SAHW, who manages the house. So to me this means they are inspecting my ability to keep house or failing that, my spouses (DH) ability to keep me in line...
