Glossary

Accompanied tour - A tour of duty in which military dependents are command sponsored and authorized to accompany the military member to the permanent duty station.

Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) -The intent of BAH is to provide uniformed Service members on permanent duty within the United States accurate and equitable housing compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets. BAH is payable when government quarters are not provided and is based on geographic duty location, pay grade, and number of qualified dependents.

Loan closet - Sometimes referred to as the lending locker and usually housed in the family center, it is a place where newly arrived or outbound personnel and families can borrow basic household items until their household goods arrive or until they are in permanent housing. Available items vary but generally include dishes, utensils, baby furniture, cookware, futons, and other essentials. 

Out-of-pocket relocation expenses - These are expenses incurred during a permanent change of station (PCS) move that are not reimbursed by the government. Such expenses are difficult to calculate because some allowances provided by the government are intended to offset some of these expenses but cannot be claimed and reimbursed dollar for dollar.

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) - This allowance is paid to a uniformed Service member stationed overseas (including US protectorates) who is not furnished with government housing. OHA compensates members for the majority of overseas average housing expenses. It is comprised of three components: rental ceiling, utility/recurring maintenance allowance, and move-in housing allowance.  Rates are calculated on averages of these costs, not what the member actually spends.

Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTTAC) - A committee whose purpose is to ensure that uniform travel and transportation regulations are issued pursuant to Title 37, United States Code, other applicable laws, and decisions of the Comptroller General of the United States for members of the seven uniformed Services. In connection with civilian employees of the Department of Defense, the primary purpose of the Committee is to issue uniform regulations implementing the Federal Travel Regulations. 

Permanent change of station (PCS) - This term refers to a change of military assignment that is over 189 days in duration. Sometimes used as a verb as in "PCSing to Germany," the term has many uses and several technical as well as general definitions.See the Joint Federal Travel Regulation, Appendix 1A, Part 1 for official definitions.

Permissive temporary duty (TDY) - Time off, authorized by a commander, for Service members to conduct a house-hunting trip to the new duty station. The time is not charged against the member's leave, but none of the expenses are reimbursed by the government. Permissive TDY is totally at the personal expense of the military member.

Post-arrival services - These are services that help orient newcomers to the community.  They can take the form of briefings, tours, social events, job fairs, and other services to assist with settling-in and adapting to the new community.

Pre-departure services - These are briefings, counseling, and planning services provided well in advance of the move to ensure that transferring personnel understand and are prepared to go through the processes of relocation. Such services help transferring members and families identify and hopefully avoid problems that may arise during the move. These services are essential especially for those new to the military, for those making a first move with children or a first move overseas, and for families with special needs or other special circumstances.

Privatized housing - Privatized housing is the result of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI).  This is a public/private program whereby private sector developers may own, operate, maintain, improve, and assume responsibility for military family housing where doing so is economically advantageous and national security is not adversely affected.

Special needs family - Sometimes referred to as exceptional family members, these are members who need special medical or education services and may need special accommodations in housing to meet needs arising out of physical, emotional, or cognitive learning disabilities.  All Services provide exceptional family member programs (EFMPs) and services to meet the needs of these members and families.  Many families have specific housing requirements, so it is essential that housing providers be aware of this program and the services it has to offer.

Unaccompanied housing - The Services call unaccompanied housing by different names, such as bachelor enlisted quarters, barracks, and dormitories. This housing is designated for single Service members or those whose family members are not present with the member at the military location. The Services are upgrading their current facilities through renovation and new construction. Modernizing improves privacy, increases living space, and provides new and improved amenities.

Unaccompanied tour - A permanent duty assignment in which the military member's dependents are not command-sponsored.