Bahrain Duty: Unaccompanied Military Personnel And Their Families

Military personnel from the US posted in Bahrain are often faced with the question of whether to go on unaccompanied duty or not. This is a complex decision that military families have to make, weighing factors such as career progression, family separation pay, and the well-being of spouses and children. While some military spouses choose to join their partners in Bahrain, others opt to stay in their current location or move back to their hometowns, especially if they have a strong support system of family and friends. The US Department of Defense has implemented policies for 12-month unaccompanied tours in Bahrain, impacting military families' dynamics and living arrangements.

Dependents may stay at the current duty station

Military dependents may stay at the current duty station if they choose to. There are several reasons why families might opt to remain in their current location, including continuity for children, especially older children who may be close to graduation, career continuity for the military spouse, access to required medical services, and a strong network of support, including friends, family, and faith communities.

If the military spouse cannot or chooses not to join their spouse on an unaccompanied tour, they have several options. They can stay in their current location, move back to a designated location, usually their home of record, or PCS to the next duty station if it is known. The military would pay for the spouse and dependents to move to their desired location or to the follow-on location.

It's important to note that the decision to stay or move is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Military families should consider their unique circumstances and make the choice that best aligns with their needs and interests.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the Pentagon's policy change regarding unaccompanied tours in Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries does not affect U.S. Navy crews forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain. Military dependents in Bahrain will be able to remain through the end of their sponsors' tours, and the Bahrain school will remain open.

Dependents may move to a designated location

Military personnel in Bahrain are subject to unaccompanied tours, with families ordered to be gradually withdrawn by 2022. This means that dependents will not be allowed to accompany their service member spouses or parents to Bahrain. Dependents may move to a designated location, usually their home of record, in which case the military will pay for the move. This could be beneficial for children to build strong bonds with extended family, as well as for the military spouse to have a support system.

Alternatively, dependents can stay in their current location. Reasons for this may include continuity for children, especially older children close to graduation, career continuity for the military spouse, access to necessary medical services, and an established support network of friends, family, and community.

If the next duty station is known, another option is to PCS to that location. This allows families to get settled in a new place before the service member completes their unaccompanied tour. This option may be preferable if the new duty station is in a desirable location, has better services, or is close to family and friends.

It is important to note that the military will not cover the cost of moving dependents to join their spouse in Bahrain, and there may be added expenses and challenges if they choose to do so.

Dependents may move to the next duty station

Military dependents have a few options when their spouse or family member receives unaccompanied orders to Bahrain. One option is to stay at their current duty station. This option is often chosen for reasons such as continuity for children, career continuity for the military spouse, access to needed medical services, or a strong support network of friends, family, and community.

Another option is to move back to a designated location, typically the home of record. In this case, the military would cover the expenses for the spouse and dependents to relocate. This option may be preferable if the current duty station will not be the service member's next posting, or if being close to extended family is a priority.

A third option is to PCS to the next duty station, if it is known. The military would arrange and pay for the spouse and dependents to move to this location. This option allows families to settle into their new location before the service member completes their unaccompanied tour. It may also be preferable if the next duty station is in a desirable location, has better access to services, or is close to family and friends.

It is important to note that moves are not authorized during a deployment. If a spouse or dependent chooses to move back to their home location during a deployment, they may have to maintain their current residence and return before the service member comes home.

The decision to stay or move is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Military families should consider their unique circumstances, priorities, and what is in the best interest of their family.

Entitlements and benefits for military personnel

Military personnel in Bahrain are entitled to a range of benefits and entitlements, depending on their specific situation and assignment. Here is a detailed overview:

Unaccompanied Tours and Assignments

Unaccompanied tours in Bahrain can provide certain benefits for military personnel and their career progression. These tours may be sought after due to the potential for tax-free income, family separation pay, and imminent danger pay. Additionally, these assignments can offer a chance to change sea/shore rotation and switch between east and west deployments. The duration of these tours typically lasts around 12 months for those under the control of combatant commanders in the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq, excluding Navy personnel in Bahrain, who serve 18-month tours.

Dependents and Relocation

Military personnel opting for an unaccompanied tour in Bahrain may choose to relocate their dependents to their current duty station or allow them to remain at their home of record. The Navy will not cover the cost of relocating dependents, so any such move would be at the service member's expense. Sponsored U.S. military dependents in the region are permitted to remain until the end of their sponsor's tour.

Impact on Sea Duty

For Navy personnel, an unaccompanied tour in Bahrain typically counts as 12 months of sea time. Following the completion of the tour, the individual would still be required to fulfil the remaining duration of their sea duty assignment. Thus, if an individual has a three-year sea duty assignment, they would have two years remaining after their unaccompanied tour.

Crew Assignments

The policy of unaccompanied tours does not apply to all personnel in Bahrain. Specifically, it does not impact crew members of ships forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, including the coastal patrol ships, mine-countermeasures ships, and the expeditionary base ship USS Lewis B. Puller. These crew members already serve unaccompanied tours and are not entitled to dependents in Bahrain.

It is important to note that policies and entitlements may vary based on the specific branch of the military and the circumstances of each individual's situation. Therefore, it is always advisable to refer to official sources and seek personalized guidance for a comprehensive understanding of one's entitlements and benefits.

Entitlements and benefits for military families

Military families make huge sacrifices, and there are a number of benefits and entitlements in place to support them. When a military posting is unaccompanied, it can be a challenging time for families, and it is important that they are aware of the support available to them.

In the case of US military personnel assigned to Bahrain, the Pentagon has stated that this will be a gradual process, with families withdrawn as tours end, and with no impact on Navy crews forward-deployed to the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain. This is an important distinction, as families of Navy personnel will remain entitled to stay in Bahrain, while other military families will not.

The benefits of an unaccompanied tour for military personnel include career progression, tax-free income, family separation pay, and imminent danger pay. These benefits are in place to incentivize service members to choose unaccompanied tours, which can be essential for their career progression and for gaining valuable experience in a different region. For families, the impact of a loved one being away can be mitigated by the financial benefits, as well as the knowledge that their absence is temporary.

For families remaining in Bahrain, it is important to note that the US Navy has expressed gratitude for the support and partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which has hosted the US 5th Fleet for three decades. This indicates a stable and supportive environment for military families, with access to schools and other essential services. The Navy has also confirmed that the policy change will not impact DoD civilians or sponsored military dependents currently in the region, who will be able to remain through the end of their sponsor's tour.

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