Reptiles in the Military

[Winter]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this, but I am seriously considering the military in a couple of years when I am done with school. If I was selected, then I would enter as a direct commission officer. Air Force most likely, but Navy is still a possibility.

I've been able to verify that some bases allow a limited number of the more commonly kept critters like 2 dogs in base housing if they are current on everything, microchipped, and registered. However, I have been having trouble finding anything about reptiles. I only keep snakes, and when I do google searches, I've found some rules for individual bases that say something about the pet requiring four legs, so no birds, snakes, etc. Others don't seem to have any rules at all.

I am sure that I have seen active military personnel post over the years. I'd be very grateful of some folks can post here and tell me how or if they were able to keep their herps or if they have any recommendations.

I realize that it is possible an officer can live off base, but I've also been told that on base simplifies everything for someone new to the lifestyle.

Thanks so much for any light that can be shed on this matter,

Lauren

Edit: Added information/fixed spelling errors.

 

[Sariel]

I cant speak for every base, but I know that as of fairly recently, most of them do not allow exotics -at all- so you will more than likely have to live off base. Living on base does simplify some things, but honestly getting housing off base isnt that hard either. The hard part is renting somewhere that wont freak out when you tell them you have snakes. I will admit it can be a challenge sometimes.

 

[Shadera]

It's been a while (was in, in the 90's), but back then single soldiers couldn't have any pets in the barracks. Didn't stop me from hiding a ball python though.

In quarters as a married soldier, dogs and cats were allowed but exotics weren't. It was pretty much a base by base case by case thing, but since you won't know which base you're going to end up at ... You would likely have to live off-post, and like the poster above said, pray they allow exotics.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Air Force most likely, but Navy is still a possibility.

Air Force puts more bite in pet regulations
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/09/air-force-puts-more-bite-in-pet-regulations-091811/

The list of blacklisted critters is long under the Air Force’s new pet policy: arachnids; reptiles; rodents, except hamsters and guinea pigs; ferrets; hedgehogs; pot-bellied pigs; monkeys; skunks, raccoons; squirrels; farm animals; and five kinds of dogs — pit bulls, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, chows and wolf hybrids

In recent years (2009 or so) they have established a standardized pet policy throughout the military branches for residents of privatized housing.

What are the other pet policy restrictions?

Residents of privatized housing may not board exotic animals (including but not limited to, reptiles, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs), ferrets, hedgehogs, skunks, rats, raccoons, squirrels, pot bellied pigs, monkeys, arachnids, or any farm animal.

Dogs-

For the purposes of this policy, aggressive or potentially
aggressive breeds of dogs are defined as Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire Terriers or
Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Chows and wolf hybrids

The pet restrictions also extend to other dogs who demonstrate a propensity for dominant
or aggressive behavior as indicated by any of the following types of behavior:
1) Unprovoked barking, growling, or snarling at people approaching the animal
2) Aggressively running along fence lines when people are present
3) Biting or scratching people
4) Escaping confinement or restriction to chase people

Air Force Instruction 32-6001, Family Housing Management, and includes the following information:

- Residents may not board dogs of any breed (including mixed breeds) that are deemed "aggressive or potentially aggressive" unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer or approval is obtained by the Installation Commander in writing. For purposes of this policy, aggressive or potentially aggressive breeds of dogs are defined as a Pit Bull (American Staffordshire Bull Terrier or English Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Chow and wolf hybrids.

- Prohibition also extends to other breeds of dogs or individual dogs that demonstrate or are known to demonstrate a propensity for dominant or aggressive behavior as indicated by any of the following type of behavior;
-- Unprovoked barking, growling or snarling at people approaching the animal.
-- Aggressively running along a fence line when people are present.
-- Biting or scratching people.
-- Escaping confinement or restriction to chase people.

- Residents may not board exotic animals such as, but not limited to, reptiles, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs) ferrets, hedgehogs, skunks, rats, raccoons, squirrels, pot bellied pigs, monkeys, arachnids, or any farm animals.

- Pets must be secured with leashes or under positive control while outdoors, except in fenced patios and yards. Pets must not be left tied or unattended in exterior appurtenances or unfenced yards or allowed to run loose outside fenced yards.

- Pet and common areas must be cleaned or disinfected regularly to control and prevent vermin infestation. Pet feces must be picked up daily or immediately if the pet evacuates outside the patio or yard.

- Operating a commercial kennel is prohibited.

The exact same animals and wording can be found in other branches as well.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

oops, put wrong link to the Air Force Times article. Fixed..

 

[Winter]

Thanks so much for the info- this is exactly what I was looking for. I was already expecting that an entire collection wouldn't be able to come with me, but I would be glad if I could keep a couple of the favorites. It sounds like that is only a possibility if I do so in off-base housing. I know that sacrifices will need to be made to pursue service, but I will figure it out. Either way, it is great to have some more recent specifics to look at. That was a great link!

I plan to have a discussion with the family to come up Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. I know how time flies- it never hurts to figure all of this stuff out way ahead of time.

Thanks again!

Lauren

 

[ShadowAceD]

Just to add personal experience to this, at one point in time, living on base did simplify things, but that is no longer the case ...

In 2006, the every branch of the United States Military revised the policies for pets in regards to living on base/post. Because the government decided (for whatever moronic reason) that upgrading all of the base housing would best be done by selecting various contractors throughout the U.S., they opened the door for having to adhere to new policies and restrictions put in place by those private companies. As of now, all housing on every base, in all branches, is either currently being or will be operated by a third party and, therefore, subject to different policies and rules that were not previously outlined by the military itself.

In general, most of base housing adheres to the same rules as Dennis pointed out and all exotics have been banned as well as various dog breeds (this sometimes varies by base). You can always call the housing office for the base you will be assigned to ask, but I cannot think of any off the top of my head that allows exotics without someone being grandfather claused in.

Now, that being said, there are minimal benefits to even living on base anymore. Here is why:
-At some point, if they have not already, utilities will no longer be free on base, they will have to be paid for.
-The entire amount of BAH is removed for rent, no matter how much you were allocated. While before privatization BAH was simply not given, the fact it is shown to be dispersed and removed from your paycheck is a little irritation.
-You now must pay a non-refundable fee to have your two allowed animals on base and this can vary from 100.00 to 250.00 per animal, no matter if it is a cat or a dog.
-More restrictions in general have been set in place for housing and you are much more likely to be hit with penalty fees when moving out for asanine things.
-Inspection procedures have changed.
-Many more reasons I am not going to list.

My husband and I have lived off base for nearly four years now and we will not be going back, not just because our boas will not be allowed, but because it has become so
restrictive due to privatization for housing (i.e. it is run by civilians, not military).

Living off post just has more benefits now and bases are actually starting to complain about losing populations since the privatization began taaking place.. We can earn more money by finding a house less than our BAH allowance and use the remainder for what we need (for instance, our BAH is around 1200.00 right now and rent is 950.00). No one (besides the landlord we rent from) can tell us what we can and cannot have animal wise. Maintenence just seems eaiser to get when something goes wrong in the house and a variety of other things I could think about if I tried hard enough. My neighbors mind their own business, this was not the case when we lived on base. We can pick the house we want when living on base were giving Crappy Choice A and Crappier Choice B. This was, of course, before all of the new housing began popping up, but Officers tend to get the nicer homes while Enlisted is getting what was the old Officer housing. It's pretty ridiculous.

Anyway ... my suggestion to you is live off base when you are allowed. You can keep your animals, you will not have to deal with the aggravation of the privatized housing and will likely just be happier as a result. However, I will say, for certain positions held by comissioned individuals, I do believe you have to live on base (that or it is highly suggested). Things change a good bit between Enlisted and Comissioned.

Just my two cents.

 

[Winter]

Thanks so much for the information- I had no idea that the privatization was a growing issue, but that completely makes sense. I do have to say that I would value having as much say as possible about the home I am living in once I have settled into the military way of life, assuming I am still on home soil. So, maybe not right away, but later on living off base does sound like it has benefits for herp folks like us and for other reasons as well.

I will talk to the health professions recruiter, but I am fairly certain that we have the option of on or off-base housing regardless of whether I pursue AF or Navy.

Thanks again!

Lauren

 

[Oreptico]

If you are being commissioned, you have a decent salary, and as most housing is privatized in the Air Force, or about to be, your better off paying for the right to do as you please. be smart with your money and you will do just fine.
Good luck, and thanks for considering serving. I am done. Twenty years is up in September for this guy. I keep snakes in my home though. Off base. Don't like Uncle Sam in my wheaties.

Tony

 

[Medusa's Layer Herp]

My ex-bf was in the service and he was able to keep reptiles as long as they were contained in an aquarium. If you are married and have base housing you are allowed to keep reptiles without issue(Navy and Marine Corps). As far as reptiles in the barracks.....it was a not allowed. Hope this helps.
-Sammy

 

[cajunreptiles]

i just got out of the army and lived on post and off. everyone said living on post was so great well its not at all they can come into your home whenever they want and look through anything and everything. the reason i moved off post was they came through my house when noone was home and saw my cornsnake and the lady was so afraid even though he was a baby just a month old. so they called me and said that i needed to get rid of him and i told them he** no ill move off post ill pay the fees. it wasnt hard to find someone ok with reptiles here in louisiana i found a place with 3 acres to rent so i had plenty of room. if you can avoid living on post do it. You will not be happy on post all the wives that have no lives are all in your personal life.

 

[Focal]

The Coast Guard has far less base housing! Just saying

Good luck.