BAH Type II, Reserve, and Guard Housing Pay Explained
BAH Type II is a flat, nationwide housing allowance that is not based on your duty-station ZIP code. It is most often paid to Reserve and National Guard members on short active-duty orders, and it is much lower than regular location-based BAH. If you drill, mobilize, or serve on temporary orders, the type of housing pay you receive can change based on how long those orders last.
This page explains BAH Type I versus Type II, how Reserve and Guard housing pay works, and what partial BAH is. For how the main location-based allowance is calculated, start with the BAH guide.
BAH Type I vs. BAH Type II
There are two forms of BAH, and the difference comes down to whether your location counts.
- BAH Type I (regular BAH) — Based on your duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and dependency status. It is designed to cover about 95% of median local housing costs, so it is high in expensive areas and lower in cheaper ones.
- BAH Type II — A single flat rate set for the entire country. Your location does not change it. It is used for Reserve/Guard members on short orders, certain students, and to compute some other entitlements. Because it ignores local cost, it is much lower than Type I in most places.
| Feature | BAH Type I | BAH Type II |
|---|---|---|
| Based on ZIP code? | Yes | No — flat national rate |
| Typical amount | Higher (tracks local rent) | Lower (fixed nationwide) |
| Who usually gets it | Active duty on long orders | Reserve/Guard on short orders |
| Changes by location? | Yes | No |
| Set by | DoD, annually, by ZIP | DoD, annually, one national rate |
How Reserve and National Guard BAH Works
Reserve and National Guard housing pay depends on the length of your active-duty orders. The 30-day mark is the key line.
- Orders of more than 30 days — You generally receive full, location-based BAH (Type I) at the rate for your duty station, pay grade, and dependents — the same as active-duty members.
- Orders of 30 days or fewer — You receive BAH Type II, the lower flat rate. Members with dependents receive the with-dependent Type II rate.
- Inactive duty (drill weekends) — Routine drilling does not qualify for BAH. Housing allowances are tied to qualifying active-duty status.
One detail that trips up newly mobilized Guard members: a set of back-to-back short orders is not the same as one long order. Eligibility for location-based BAH generally turns on the length of a single order period, so two separate 20-day orders usually pay Type II, while one continuous 40-day order usually pays full BAH. Always confirm with your unit and finance office, because order construction directly changes your housing pay.
What Is Partial BAH?
Partial BAH (BAH-Partial) is a separate, small payment for members who have no dependents, live in government quarters such as barracks, and are not receiving any other housing allowance. The amount is very small — a legacy schedule that runs from about $7 per month for junior enlisted grades to roughly $51 per month for the most senior grades, and it has been frozen since the late 1990s. It is not the same as Type II and is not meant to cover market rent.
Which Housing Pay Applies to You
Your branch does not change these rules — BAH Type I, Type II, and partial BAH work the same across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. What changes your amount is your orders, your pay grade, and your dependents. To see the full location-based rate you would receive on longer orders, use the BAH calculator. If you are heading overseas on orders, review Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) instead, and see the military pay hub for every allowance and pay table.