You joined the military and survived boot camp. Orders are written, transportation's arranged and lodging has been assigned. You're trained and ready to take on the job, yet one question remains: "Will I get along with my roommate(s)?"

Regardless of where you're living (BEQ, BOQ, Apartment, House or in Shipboard Berthing) if you'll be residing with people you don't know, the potential for "roommate nightmares" exists.

Ways to Avoid Problems:

• Don't assume that your personal habits are the same as everyone else. From smoking to chewing tobacco, you need to take stock of your unique behavior and consider how it may affect your roommate's lives.
• Don't expect your roommate to be your best friend. A friendly, mutually respectful relationship with your roommate is healthy, and may ensure that you can live together without stress for the long term. Having separate interests and outside friends will give each of you "space" and allow you to better appreciate the time you do share together.
• Establish rules. Sit down with your roommate(s) and create a plan for peaceful coexistence. Discuss sleeping habits, noise tolerance (music preferences), borrowing rules (no eating my last can of soup!) and a general cleanliness criteria for your kitchen, bathroom and all shared living space.
• Meet routinely. Arrange regular get-togethers away from the room/home. This allows you to not only get to know one another better, but to share any roommate issues in a neutral setting.
• Pay shared bills on time. Whether your paying rent, a mortgage, utilities or just monthly phone expenses, be sure to establish due dates and hold to them. Assign one person to be in charge, so late charges may be avoided.
• Practice common courtesy. Be empathetic and respect your roommate's space if he/she's having a bad day. Write down (or don't erase) phone messages, distribute mail (if you get to the box first) and always observe and respect "sleepover" rules.

Shipboard Berthing.
Space is obviously a premium on board any ship or submarine. Since you are almost guaranteed a minimum of 6 "roommates," or you may have to "hot bunk" (share your rack with a fellow shipmate), the potential for disaster greatly increases. It's important to follow the advice addressed here in any roommate situation, but on board a ship it is critical. Personal hygiene, keeping your sheets clean & respecting cultural differences are all key elements to making this situation tolerable.

   Here are a few tips:

• Bring headphones for your CD player
  
• Keep personal items in your locker & be prepared to compromise (there will be one TV, if any, for a very large group).
  
• When tensions build (and they will), find a place to escape to for awhile. An office, the deck, the exercise room or a private corner you've found on your own are all options.
  
• Bring books, take a college correspondence course or learn a new language.
  
• Be creative! This will not be an easy living situation, but with proper preparation, you can and will survive.

Remember: Your goal in any roommate situation is "peaceful coexistence." Despite giving it your best, things may simply not work out. Your options may unfortunately be limited. If you're living independently, you can terminate a roommate agreement and move on. However, if you are living in the barracks or on a ship, you may not have much recourse. If you find yourself with a bad roommate situation, just remember that nothing is permanent.