Army Regulation 608-99, Family Support, Child Custody & Paternity requires soldiers to pay temporary support depending upon the family situation.  All payments are based upon BAH-II, which was formerly known as BAQ, and is the housing allowance without the locality allowance, found on page 2 of the military pay chart:.  Paragraph 2-6 sets out the following support requirements in the absence of a court order:

• Civilian spouse/children not in military housing: BAH-II at the with-dependents rate.
• Civilian or military spouse/children in military housing: None.
• Civilian spouse/children not in military housing living at different locations: Pro rata share of BAH-II at the with-dependents rate to each family member.
• Military spouse, no children: None
• Military spouse, split custody of children: None.
• Military spouse, spouse has children:  Difference between BAH-II at the with-dependents rate and the without-dependents rate.

In-kind payments (such as buying groceries or paying bills) do not count towards the support obligation, except that if the soldier is on the lease or mortgage where the family lives, the soldier can pay the lease/mortgage and utilities, and offset those payments against the support obligation.  Para. 2-9(d).

Relief from Payment

Per Para. 2-14, a battalion/squadron commander may relieve the soldier of the support obligation under the following circumstances:

• Civilian spouse has a higher income,
• Soldier was the victim of substantial abuse by the spouse, which was substantiated by the Family Advocacy Case Management Team or a court,
• The family member is in jail,
• The soldier has paid the required support to the spouse for 18 months, or
• The soldier is the legal custodian of the child for whom support is sought, and that child is living with someone else without that soldier's consent.

If the couple's children are living with the spouse, the soldier must still pay support, despite otherwise qualifying for relief from payment.  Finally, infidelity or abandonment are NOT grounds for relief.