Just when you think you’re getting the hang of the hundreds of military terms (remember when you didn’t know what BAH meant?), now and then, a new one comes your way—for example, the terms geo-bachelor and geo-bach. These terms aren't used daily unless you experience them yourself, but once they apply to you, you'll quickly become familiar with the concept.
If geo-baching is new to you, here’s what you need to know.
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What Is a Geo-Bachelor or Bachelorette?
A geographic bachelor or bachelorette (or "geo-bach") is the unofficial term for a service member whose family has chosen to live separately from the military member during a PCS. The service member often lives in a short-term rental and visits their family back home when their schedule allows.
This type of separation is voluntary, and the military doesn't provide extra allowances or housing funds for maintaining two households when it's done by choice.
A geo-bach separation differs from situations where the military issues orders that require the family to live apart, such as a "remote" assignment or deployment. In those cases—such as when a service member is sent to a dependent-restricted location—certain allowances may apply because the separation is not voluntary.
So basically, for probably more than one reason (see below), a military family thinks it's beneficial for the service member to live separately for a while. Often, the separation is a year or less than 18 months because that length of a PCS is traditionally disruptive for families, especially if kids are enrolled in school.
Common Reasons a Service Member Might Geo-Bach
- The next set of PCS orders puts them right back in the same location where the family remained.
- Their spouse has a better employment opportunity where they’re currently stationed.
- Children, and sometimes spouses, have better educational opportunities in their home location.
- The new duty station isn’t conducive to the family’s lifestyle, particularly if a family member has complicated medical or learning needs.
- The house hasn't sold yet, and the spouse needs to stay behind to handle the process.
What Military Families Should Expect When Planning for a Geo-Bach Move
Though every military family faces unique challenges, life as a geo-bachelor or bachelorette usually presents three major difficulties.
1. The Expense of Supporting Two Households
It’s true; a geo-bach separation is often expensive, especially since the military doesn't cover the addtional housing costs for a voluntary separation. However, there are a couple of ways the finances could work out in your favor.
Not all military families face significant hardship, particularly when the couple separates so the spouse can continue working in a high-paying job. Or, suppose the BAH is higher at the new duty station, and the service member finds an inexpensive place to live by using only the difference between the two pay rates. In that case, the stress level could drop significantly.
2. Locating Affordable Housing for the Service Member
A studio apartment may work just fine for the service member. But in other situations, like when the new BAH is less than the current duty station, the best way to mitigate the financial hardship is to find a good place to live within a budget, such as a room for rent in a home or another short-term rental option. For example, some bases have excess private military rentals that are sometimes offered to geo-bachelors.
Looking for the best way to search for a room for rent? When looking for homes on MilitaryByOwner, simply select "refine your search" once you've searched for rentals near your military installation. This is where rooms for rent will show if they're available.
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3. Finding Furniture and Household Goods for a Geo-Bach Assignment
Finding furniture for a geo-bach assignment doesn’t have to be complicated, but it will take some effort. Of course, the easiest situation is to move into a room that someone else has already furnished. But if you’re moving into a studio or an unfurnished apartment, don’t rush to buy new furniture. There are a few ways to get what you need without depleting the family's household goods.
Crowdsourcing Furniture on a Budget
Crowdsourcing furniture is often the most cost-effective way to set up a temporary living space. Garage sales, neighborhood yard sale groups, and online marketplaces are great places to find inexpensive or free items. The Buy Nothing Network is another helpful resource.
Friends, coworkers, and neighbors may also have extra pieces they’re willing to lend or give away, especially in high-turnover military communities. When possible, choose items that require minimal assembly and can be easily donated or resold when it’s time to move out, keeping the process simple on both ends of the assignment.
Considering a Personally Procured Move (PPM)
Many service members consider a Personally Procured Move (PPM) as a way to offset costs and potentially make money. A PPM means renting a moving truck, packing, and moving upfront with reimbursement later. Not all PPMs are money-makers, so talk to your transportation or personal property office to run the numbers.
Remember, you’re allowed moving entitlements in your PCS orders, so you can plan a full-service move if you prefer. Keep in mind that if any dependents decide to move, they must use these entitlements within the authorized PCS window. Check with your base's property/transportation office for specific guidance.
Rental Furniture
Another solution is to rent furniture from a company like Cort. Cort offers a military package that lets you rent everything from a bed to a TV for your room. The military package offers a discount over other rentals and is designed for geo-bachelors. They’ll deliver the furniture and pick it up when you’re ready to reunite with your family.
These are some of the practical matters of a geo-bach move. While every family handles separation differently, addressing the logistics first can help make the transition smoother.
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