Quick answer: BAH Type II (also called BAH-II or Reserve Component/Transit BAH) is a flat-rate housing allowance set nationally by pay grade. Unlike regular BAH, it is not based on your location or dependents in the usual way — the DoD publishes one set of Type II amounts that apply everywhere in the country. It mainly affects reservists, members in transit, and members in government quarters.
What is BAH Type II?
Standard BAH — the kind the BAH calculator computes — is "Type I": it varies by your duty-station Military Housing Area, your pay grade, and your dependents. BAH Type II is the lesser-known flat-rate version. It does not rise in expensive cities or fall in cheap ones; the same grade receives the same Type II amount whether stationed in San Francisco or rural Kansas.
Who is eligible for BAH Type II?
BAH Type II typically applies in these situations:
- Reserve and Guard members on active-duty orders of 30 days or less.
- Members in transit between permanent duty stations when a location-based rate doesn't apply.
- Members in government quarters in certain circumstances, or assigned to a secondary location.
- Some members in initial training pipelines.
BAH Type II rates & how it's calculated
Type II is derived from a national formula rather than a local survey, which is why it is uniform across the country and generally lower than Type I in most metro areas. The amount still scales with pay grade and has with- and without-dependents versions, but there is no ZIP-code component. For your specific situation, your finance office applies the published Type II table for the year.
| Allowance | Rate type | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Regular BAH (Type I) | Variable | Grade + location + dependents |
| BAH Type II | Flat (national) | Grade + dependents (no location) |
| BAH-Partial | Flat (small) | Grade — for members in barracks |
How Type II differs from regular BAH
The practical differences matter for budgeting. Because Type II ignores location, a reservist activated for a two-week tour in a high-cost city receives the flat Type II amount, not the (much higher) local Type I rate. For longer activations (over 30 days), members usually shift to standard location-based BAH. If you are weighing orders, knowing which rate applies can mean a significant difference in housing pay.
Common scenarios
- Weekend/two-week reservist: short orders → BAH RC/T or Type II, based on grade.
- Mobilized for a year: long orders → standard location-based BAH for the duty station.
- In transit during a PCS: Type II may bridge the gap until you report.
How BAH Type II appears on your LES
On your Leave and Earnings Statement, a housing allowance shows in the entitlements column. The line item itself usually just reads "BAH" — your LES will not always spell out "Type II," so the way to tell which version you are receiving is the amount. If the figure matches the national flat rate for your grade rather than the (typically higher) local rate the BAH calculator shows for your ZIP, you are on Type II. Always reconcile the amount on your LES against the rate you expect; a mismatch is the most common reason members are underpaid or overpaid, and overpayments are recouped later.
How to confirm your BAH Type II rate
Because Type II is set by a national table that updates each year, the safest way to confirm your figure is to ask your finance office for the current published Type II amount for your pay grade and dependency status. Keep a copy of your orders, since the length and type of your orders determine whether Type II, BAH RC/T, or full location-based BAH applies. If your orders are extended past 30 days, follow up with finance to make sure you transition to the correct rate — the change is not always automatic, and catching it early prevents a pay correction down the road.
Frequently asked questions
Is BAH Type II the same everywhere?
Yes. Type II is a national flat rate by pay grade, so it does not change with location the way standard BAH does.
Is BAH Type II lower than regular BAH?
In most metro areas, yes — because it isn't boosted by local rents. In some very low-cost areas the difference is smaller.
How do I know which BAH type I get?
It depends on your orders and housing situation. Check your LES and confirm with your finance office; the calculator shows the standard (Type I) location rate for comparison.
Independent educational content. Verify your entitlement with your finance office or DFAS.