On every message board I go to the 2007 base pay chart has been posted and more often than not people are complaining about what the pay raises are. I am just curious, are DH and I the only ones that think the military gets paid pretty good?

Yes I think you are!! lol

On every message board I go to the 2007 base pay chart has been posted and more often than not people are complaining about what the pay raises are. I am just curious, are DH and I the only ones that think the military gets paid pretty good?

It's because matched up to civilian pay.... military pay is still a lot less for what they do. plus pay raises are i think a lot lower this year than they have been in a long time.

Yes I think you are!! lol

I knew it:D

Granted DH and I don't have any kids and I work part time but I work just to pay for school(I refuse to take out loans and I don't qualify for grants)

Also DH isn't really high ranking either, he is an E-5 with a line number for E-6

I think for what they do, and the amount of crap they have to take from their jobs sometimes, they get paid WAY less than they should.
When you're first starting out, it sounds and looks good...until you have to start actually living off of it. Then you realize how much it truely sucks sometimes....

It's because matched up to civilian pay.... military pay is still a lot less for what they do. plus pay raises are i think a lot lower this year than they have been in a long time.

Neither one of us compares the civilian pay for a Firefighter with the military pay because in the civilian world DH wouldn't be getting a house/housing allowance, free medical and dental and COLA.

The way we see it, any pay raise is better than nothing.

Neither one of us compares the civilian pay for a Firefighter with the military pay because in the civilian world DH wouldn't be getting a house/housing allowance, free medical and dental and COLA.

The way we see it, any pay raise is better than nothing.

Where do you live? It all depends on the job that our SO does. Before DH changed jobs, he could make 3x's what the navy pays on the outside. and that includes all the perks as well. (another govt position).


plus the pay raise is only 2 point something %...... in like that past 6 or 7 years it's been over 6%.

Where do you live? It all depends on the job that our SO does. Before DH changed jobs, he could make 3x's what the navy pays on the outside. and that includes all the perks as well. (another govt position).


plus the pay raise is only 2 point something %...... in like that past 6 or 7 years it's been over 6%.

We live in England.

Another questions, this isn't directed specifically towards you but your post made me think about it. If, with some jobs, the military members can make more in the civilian world then why do they stay in the military?

We live in England.

Another questions, this isn't directed specifically towards you but your post made me think about it. If, with some jobs, the military members can make more in the civilian world then why do they stay in the military?

Some like the lifestyle, some like the benefits. It all depends.

When you're first starting out, it sounds and looks good...until you have to start actually living off of it. Then you realize how much it truely sucks sometimes....

When DH and I were both E-2's/E-3's, 6.5-7 years ago, we were barely making $500 a paycheck and that was being stationed OCONUS and getting COLA. There is an E-3 that DH works with who makes almost $1000 a paycheck with COLA. That is a HUGE difference in just 6.5-7 years.

Well, you have to factor in that economy and times have changed. The minimum wage rate isn't the same as it was 7 years ago, among other things. Cost of living has gone up.

When you factor things in like how much gas is now, how much food is, bills, kids, ect....$900 just doesn't go as far as it used to.

We live in England.

Another questions, this isn't directed specifically towards you but your post made me think about it. If, with some jobs, the military members can make more in the civilian world then why do they stay in the military?

Stateside, we dont get COLA. DH stays beause he loves that he is serving his country.

Some like the lifestyle, some like the benefits. It all depends.


The benefits is why I don't understand why people compare the military side of the house with the civilian. In my husband's case, if he got out now, with all his experience and certs, he could walk into any Fire Dept in the US and be hired on the spot but when you figure what we would be paying in mortgage/rent, medical, dental and all other incidentals I am sure I am forgetting his take home pay would be less than what it is now.

Stateside, we dont get COLA. DH stays beause he loves that he is serving his country.

Some bases stateside get COLA.

That is a good reason to stay in the military. I was mainly talking about the people who complain about the pay and how they can make 6 figures on the outside then reenlist. If you are complaining about the pay wouldn't that be a factor in you NOT reenlisting if you could make more on the outside?

On every message board I go to the 2007 base pay chart has been posted and more often than not people are complaining about what the pay raises are. I am just curious, are DH and I the only ones that think the military gets paid pretty good?

OK, maybe I should ask this question: Does the military get paid pretty good in comparison to what, civilians?

OK, maybe I should ask this question: Does the military get paid pretty good in comparison to what, civilians?

Not compared to anyone, just in general.

Not compared to anyone, just in general.

Oh OK...still, I don't think they get paid enough....not for the jobs they do and the fact that they put their lives on the line for this country. But, like I said, that's just me.

I'll never complain about a raise. I do wish Jason made more for what he does but at least he's getting paid.

Some bases stateside get COLA.

That is a good reason to stay in the military. I was mainly talking about the people who complain about the pay and how they can make 6 figures on the outside then reenlist. If you are complaining about the pay wouldn't that be a factor in you NOT reenlisting if you could make more on the outside?

only a handful of bases stateside get COLA. san diego should be one of them, but nope.

for us it's medical for one of my kids and that is the only reason why. i could careless about the retirement check. it's his medical coverage i want. on the outside, it's a pre-existing condition. which in turn they can charge us whatever off the wall amount they want to to cover him. tricare cant do that cause they are covering him now. even making 6 figures, could you afford to pay 1500 to 2 grand on health insurance for just one child and also pay to cover 2 more kids and both adults. plus still be able to make ends meet? nope cant do it. believe me, we crunched numbers every way possible.

and yes, i do believe for the amount of BS that our guys have to put up with and what they do day in and day out. they should be paid more.

I've never ever complained about raises. We're lifers so I could care less how much the raise is...LOL!!!

Another questions, this isn't directed specifically towards you but your post made me think about it. If, with some jobs, the military members can make more in the civilian world then why do they stay in the military?

Because they are enlisted?!

I know dh could get paid 100k in england for his job.

People complain because for the amount of danger, stress and everything else that goes on in the military- they should be getting paid more.

An apprentice cook would make more then an army cook a year.

Because they are enlisted?!




What do you mean?

We live in England.

Another questions, this isn't directed specifically towards you but your post made me think about it. If, with some jobs, the military members can make more in the civilian world then why do they stay in the military?

Become some people like the thought of being able to retire at age 37 or 38, etc. and still continue to work 20 yrs elsewhere and be able to collect TWO retirement checks. It'll be nice to collect a retirement check at 37 or 38, etc. years of age...

For all the money the military puts into training each service member ~ they should pay more......it could help retain some of the troops.

I think the Military does not pay enough. When you crunch the numbers and consider they work 24/7 ~ the pay is way TOO LOW

I think the Military does not pay enough. When you crunch the numbers and consider they work 24/7 ~ the pay is way TOO LOW

If you look at it that way then yes, they do get paid jack but, besides those deployed, how many military members acutally "work" 24/7? If that were the case then weekends, holidays and family days wouldn't exist.

It's because matched up to civilian pay.... military pay is still a lot less for what they do. plus pay raises are i think a lot lower this year than they have been in a long time.

I agree with you Donna. I will say that we manage a nice living though at DH's rank. It does get better with time.

On every message board I go to the 2007 base pay chart has been posted and more often than not people are complaining about what the pay raises are. I am just curious, are DH and I the only ones that think the military gets paid pretty good?

No you're not the only ones - we're quite happy with our pay too! When you add in the benefits, it's a pretty good deal.

I knew it:D

Granted DH and I don't have any kids and I work part time but I work just to pay for school(I refuse to take out loans and I don't qualify for grants)

Also DH isn't really high ranking either, he is an E-5 with a line number for E-6

Have you tried to search for grants through this .. http://aid.military.com/scholarship/search-for-scholarships.do

My DH is e5 with number 8 on the list now :D I wish theyd promote 8 in Dec :hehe

military pay is still a lot less for what they do. plus pay raises are i think a lot lower this year than they have been in a long time.

very true. we are both e-4 and I get out in 9 months, so just his pay will be hard.

Become some people like the thought of being able to retire at age 37 or 38, etc. and still continue to work 20 yrs elsewhere and be able to collect TWO retirement checks. It'll be nice to collect a retirement check at 37 or 38, etc. years of age...

:yes My Step dad retired a master cheif. Then retired from another job. My mom retired early from a government job and they now live in their RV and travel around with 3 retirment checks ;)

While I personally think they should be paid more. Yep..factoring in all the benfits, I wont complain. He is in this to retire. 7 years left. Yes the benefots are good. But the dental. Yeah I have actually seen better dental coverage. And we do pay for dental. The medical. Yeah the medical is nice definatly. Not having to pay anything etc etc. The BAH does make up for the pay definatly. But in alot of cases, depending on the job, adding in the medical, dental and housing cost some still can make more on the outside. But the military is stable. I support my husband in what he wants to do and I dont mind the lifestyle too too much. Yes I have bitched about some of the medical. civilian and military. Yep I have bitched about my housing, Yep I have bitched about the pay sometimes. The deployments and the hours. But as a spouse living thru it I think we all have the right to complain every now and then ;)

because 1) a 2 percent raise is a slap in the face. And two,the pay isnt that bad but when you have people making 200k in the desert doing the same thing as our husbands, there is something seriously wrong with our world.when congress makes six figures, there is something seriously wrong.

It really depends on the job. My husband is a nuke submariner. If he were doing the job he does as a civilian he would make more than double what he does right now. He also averages 115 hours a week at work. A civilian job couldn't even legally force someone to work that much especially without compensation.

because 1) a 2 percent raise is a slap in the face. And two,the pay isnt that bad but when you have people making 200k in the desert doing the same thing as our husbands, there is something seriously wrong with our world.when congress makes six figures, there is something seriously wrong.

:yes :yes :yes :yes :yes :yes :yes :yes

What do you mean?


When you enlist you can't just get out until your enlistment is up. My husband has til 2011, if he didn't he'd be out.


ETA: Our family woulnd't be so financially tight if we were able to get into housing. I have a family of 5 and we are stationed in Virginia. The housing has a 2 year waiting lost for 3 and 4 bedrooms so we arent able to get into it.

It really depends on the job. My husband is a nuke submariner. If he were doing the job he does as a civilian he would make more than double what he does right now. He also averages 115 hours a week at work. A civilian job couldn't even legally force someone to work that much especially without compensation.



AMEN!!! Same here my hubby is a Sonar tech and was putting in over 90+ hours a week.....in the civi world that would be some AWESOME overtime!! LOL

AMEN!!! Same here my hubby is a Sonar tech and was putting in over 90+ hours a week.....in the civi world that would be some AWESOME overtime!! LOL

I know people in the military who are lucky enough to never even work 40 hours a week... in thier cases, yah, pay isn't bad but for the hours and job my husband does the pay is very very poor. I mean come on.. my husband opperates a nuclear reactor on a daily basis.

AMEN!!! Same here my hubby is a Sonar tech and was putting in over 90+ hours a week.....in the civi world that would be some AWESOME overtime!! LOL

Overtime depends tho. I managed a Gamestop and was salary. I was REQUIRED to work 44 hours a week. But I could work 100 hours a week and my pay would never change. (I worked 60 plus during each Xmas season. 6 days a week, and no overtime. My paycheck was always 1 and the same. I was NOT allowed overtime as salary. So it would depend on if they are hourly or salary on if they get overtime.

Overtime depends tho. I managed a Gamestop and was salary. I was REQUIRED to work 44 hours a week. But I could work 100 hours a week and my pay would never change. (I worked 60 plus during each Xmas season. 6 days a week, and no overtime. My paycheck was always 1 and the same. I was NOT allowed overtime as salary. So it would depend on if they are hourly or salary on if they get overtime.


My dad has the best pay... he is salary with overtime. Doesn't get better than that lol. (He's a CAD designer. He designs cercuit boards)

I believe the pay now is great for the ones just starting out in the military life. Back in the day (and my dh has 16 years in) pay was little and the benefits aren't what they are now. We see young couples bitching nowadays about how little pay they get and yet it is twice what we got back then. Dh doesn't like the Navy anymore and the ones that have over 12 years in agree in the majority of cases because the Navy has changed drastically. He won't quit now with a few years left until retirement but if he had 10 years or less in, he would get out.
Raises are nice and yes alot of us got use to the nice % in the raises but you can't expect it every year. We get a nice one this year because we are getting two..one in January and one in April.

I don't understand how people think they can make double being a civilian. Sure, you might make a few extra thousand more, but double? You don't have the civilian experience to go w/ the job. You have to start out on the bottom, usually, just like everyone else & work your way up.

I just have a hard time believing you can make double. Like I said, definetely a few extra thousand, but not double.

Just from what I've seen w/ Phil searching for jobs. :shrug

Also, for those that have a few kids, you get lucky w/ the military b/c you get housing. In the cilivian world, you'd struggle- like what Sarah says happens w/ them (caimbrie). Insurance is also very expensive. That's where your pay in dock is going to come in, civilian pay wise.

When in Germany, Dh works 16-18 hrs a day.

And usually one day a weekend.

So 6 x 18 = 108.

If any civillian worked 100+ hrs a week, for a year. They would certainly be getting more then like 40 k a year.

(rach, i mentioned a paycheck that would be double, because it was civillian contracting), but still- even without contracting, our men's jobs would be worth more. A couple of grand extra or not.

I don't complain about the pay. I think its quite good- the benefits are great, and its stable. But i can see why people would complain.

But how many places give special military rates or offer freebies to military members? There are a lot of extra benefits available.

It really depends on the job. My husband is a nuke submariner. If he were doing the job he does as a civilian he would make more than double what he does right now. He also averages 115 hours a week at work. A civilian job couldn't even legally force someone to work that much especially without compensation.


I agree...our friends are getting out in 3 weeks because he got a job offer in Maryland that pays starts him at $75,000 a year. He's a nuke and only did his one enlistment, found a job out in the civilian world that paid him what he was worth and he was out. The navy tried to offer him a $95,000 bonus if he stayed but he figured all they were giving him was a little over a year worth of pay so he'd rather be making that right off rather than spend the next 4 years making half that.

We are doing one more enlistment because the bonuses are awesome and he'll be in shore duty so we want the bonus for a downpayment on a house and then we're getting out. I love the Navy, it's treated us VERY well but we do have to consider the fact that he could be making sooo much more out in the civilian world and we could be closer to home. We always include BAH and all the special pays when we take into consideration how much he makes because it's included in his pay package.

I agree...our friends are getting out in 3 weeks because he got a job offer in Maryland that pays starts him at $75,000 a year. He's a nuke and only did his one enlistment, found a job out in the civilian world that paid him what he was worth and he was out. The navy tried to offer him a $95,000 bonus if he stayed but he figured all they were giving him was a little over a year worth of pay so he'd rather be making that right off rather than spend the next 4 years making half that.


Ok, I take back what I said when I said its hard for me to believe double :lol

:moon

I don't understand how people think they can make double being a civilian. Sure, you might make a few extra thousand more, but double? You don't have the civilian experience to go w/ the job. You have to start out on the bottom, usually, just like everyone else & work your way up.

I just have a hard time believing you can make double. Like I said, definetely a few extra thousand, but not double.

Just from what I've seen w/ Phil searching for jobs. :shrug

Also, for those that have a few kids, you get lucky w/ the military b/c you get housing. In the cilivian world, you'd struggle- like what Sarah says happens w/ them (caimbrie). Insurance is also very expensive. That's where your pay in dock is going to come in, civilian pay wise.


In my husbands case he has leadership experience. He wouldn't have to start out at the bottom as a civilian at a nuclear power plant. He could start off around 100k. (I know this for a fact because at one point he was almost out of the militray after his accident and looking at jobs) Yes the health care is a great benefit. The only reason he reenlisted last year was because my cancer came back and most civilian healthcare wouldn't even cover that preexisting condition.

I agree...our friends are getting out in 3 weeks because he got a job offer in Maryland that pays starts him at $75,000 a year. He's a nuke and only did his one enlistment, found a job out in the civilian world that paid him what he was worth and he was out. The navy tried to offer him a $95,000 bonus if he stayed but he figured all they were giving him was a little over a year worth of pay so he'd rather be making that right off rather than spend the next 4 years making half that.

We are doing one more enlistment because the bonuses are awesome and he'll be in shore duty so we want the bonus for a downpayment on a house and then we're getting out. I love the Navy, it's treated us VERY well but we do have to consider the fact that he could be making sooo much more out in the civilian world and we could be closer to home. We always include BAH and all the special pays when we take into consideration how much he makes because it's included in his pay package.

My friends wife is a nuke she was only a year out of nuke school, didn't finish her enlistment, she wasn't even a 2nd class yet and she was offered 70k starting when she was getting out after she fell down a ladder and has a bad pelvic injury.

My husband will be offered that kind of bonus next time around if he reenlists for 6 years but if you really look at it... that money isn't worth it over 6 years.

damn...Phil went into the WRONG rate! Lol

He got offered to be a nuke (or whatever it is they say to you) but he turned it down to be a gunnersmate b/c he wanted to try for BUD/S :no

If onlys!

damn...Phil went into the WRONG rate! Lol

He got offered to be a nuke (or whatever it is they say to you) but he turned it down to be a gunnersmate b/c he wanted to try for BUD/S :no

If onlys!


That's why I said it depends ont he job :P

I don't think he was offered to be a nuke, that's somehting you chose right up front just like every other rate. The thing a lot of people don't like about being a nuke is the first 2 years is schooling.

My husband works around radiation on a daily basis. He works on/opperates a nuclear reactor on a daily basis. It can be pretty dangerous and of course there is a radiation exposure. There are reason that certain civilian jobs pay better than others... the hazzards and knowledge needed. The militray doens't take that into consideration the way the civilian world does.

When you enlist you can't just get out until your enlistment is up. My husband has til 2011, if he didn't he'd be out.




That isn't necessarily true, there are several ways to get out before your ETS date, some legally and some illegally.

For example, the Air Force is in the middle of force shaping so if you are in a career field that isn't way undermanned and you want out they are letting you out. One of my friends husbands applied for Force Shaping at the beginning of Oct and his official seperation date is 8 Nov, 1.5 years before he was due to get out.

In the origial post when I asked why people stay in the miltary I meant why do they reenlist.

That's why I said it depends ont he job :P

I don't think he was offered to be a nuke, that's somehting you chose right up front just like every other rate. The thing a lot of people don't like about being a nuke is the first 2 years is schooling.

Your told what jobs you could do depending on your ASVAB score.

Your told what jobs you could do depending on your ASVAB score.


Yes. I thought you were saying that it was something he was offered after he was in :)

Since people are talking about actual work schedules my husbands alternates between 96 hour work weeks and 72 hour work weeks. If he was a civilian he would have the exact same work schedule with around the same amout of pay.

That isn't necessarily true, there are several ways to get out before your ETS date, some legally and some illegally.

For example, the Air Force is in the middle of force shaping so if you are in a career field that isn't way undermanned and you want out they are letting you out. One of my friends husbands applied for Force Shaping at the beginning of Oct and his official seperation date is 8 Nov, 1.5 years before he was due to get out.

When you enlist- you usually stay in until your ETS date. Now there may be legal and illegal ways.. but basically- unless you want dishonorably discharged, or discharged for medical reasons on your resume- the easiest and most efficient way is to stay in until time is up.

I have no idea about this shaping up business. But realistically, Sarah answered the question beautifully.

That isn't necessarily true, there are several ways to get out before your ETS date, some legally and some illegally.

For example, the Air Force is in the middle of force shaping so if you are in a career field that isn't way undermanned and you want out they are letting you out. One of my friends husbands applied for Force Shaping at the beginning of Oct and his official seperation date is 8 Nov, 1.5 years before he was due to get out.

In the origial post when I asked why people stay in the miltary I meant why do they reenlist.


My husband is a nuke em. His rate is UNDERmanned so getting out early because of a overmanned rate isn't an option and he isn't a loser so he isn't gonna get himself kicked out... too ruin his future? every time they look at his record while he's looking for a job and they see why he got out? I don't think so.

Yes. I thought you were saying that it was something he was offered after he was in :)

No, it was something he could of tried to pursue if interested, based on his score.

Your told what jobs you could do depending on your ASVAB score.

That's how Derrick got to be a nuke...when they looked at his ASVAB scores, they asked if he would consider being a nuke.

Since people are talking about actual work schedules my husbands alternates between 96 hour work weeks and 72 hour work weeks. If he was a civilian he would have the exact same work schedule with around the same amout of pay.

Like I said. It's the job that makes the difference.

So I guess after reading all of these relplies DH and I are definately in the minority with thinking the pay is pretty good and that any pay raise is better than nothing.

My husband is a nuke em. His rate is UNDERmanned so getting out early because of a overmanned rate isn't an option and he isn't a loser so he isn't gonna get himself kicked out... too ruin his future? every time they look at his record while he's looking for a job and they see why he got out? I don't think so.

I never said your husband was a loser, I am sorry if you took my post the wrong way.

I never said your husband was a loser, I am sorry if you took my post the wrong way.


I didn't think you called him a loser ;)

I was making the point that doing something to purposely get yourself kicked out isn't a brilliant move and bad for your future job searches.

So I guess after reading all of these relplies DH and I are definately in the minority with thinking the pay is pretty good.

I don't think most of us have actually said we thought the pay was bad. I think majority has said that with the jobs our SO's are in, they would actually get paid more out of the military. They are 2 very different things.

I guess, IMO, the military is beneficial when you have a large family. B/c of the insurance, the housing, etc.

You have to take into consideration what they do. Military doctors DEFINITELY don't make what they would out in the civilian world, that's why you have all these special pays and bonuses to try and make up for that but that's why alot of military docs get their schooling and then get out as soon as their time is up because they are getting paid a ridiculous amount in the military. Now, one of my nephews is a yeoman and was actually in the admin field before he joined but now the military pays him more than what he would of made out in the civilian world. It's all in what you choose to do in the military.

I don't think most of us have actually said we thought the pay was bad. I think majority has said that with the jobs our SO's are in, they would actually get paid more out of the military. They are 2 very different things.

To me, that is the same thing. By saying your SO can make so much more in the civilian world and that a 2.2% pay raise is a slap in the face is like complaining about the military pay to me.

I guess, IMO, the military is beneficial when you have a large family. B/c of the insurance, the housing, etc.

No, you're absolutely right. One of the Chief's on Derricks' boat has 5 kids, he would love to get out but he could never get the same benefits so he could be making more but just the difference in benefits would even out the pays so he's just gonna retire.

So I guess after reading all of these relplies DH and I are definately in the minority with thinking the pay is pretty good and that any pay raise is better than nothing.

I will agree that any pay raise is better then nothing. We're fortuante to be gettinmg 2 raises this year. 1 in Jan and 1 in April. I do think they should be paid more in some cases. However, I am grateful for what we do have etc. I remember back in 94 when Dh was an e2 and then e3 that was HARD times. Times have changed since then. And like I said I think BAH does make up for it. And the medical yes. The dental is laughable to me but I know dental isnt the greatest in alot of places. :shrug But yes. I doubt there are very many that would say they make the perfect amount, get paid enough and are 100% content with it all. In military and civilian ;)

I hardly think saying my husband would make more in the civillian world is complaining! It's stating facts.
Complaining is this- oooooh were soooooo poor------ i wish the army paid moreeeeeeee etc etc. Now that is complaining.

You may think what you want- but unless you actually get a straight answer by ppl saying its shit pay. Then certainly you can't think that most of us are complaining.

As i said before- i don't think the pay is all that bad, but i do know my husband would be paid more outside of the military.

It isn't just the words "My SO could be making so much more in the civilian world", it is the context of the word and paired with the pay raise this year sucks is complaining.

I guess we are just going to have to agree to disagree. DH and I think the pay is great and others don't. That is all I wanted to know

We didn't all say that though.

I certainly didn't.

I hardly know much about the pay rates in the military. Its quite different in Australia were i know all about it. But being that dh is in the US army, i know that his paycheck isn't too bad- though i think the military housing situation does need abit of help.

We didn't all say that though.



If you read my original post you will see that I wasn't necessarily talking about this board, but ever message board I visit.

On every message board I go to the 2007 base pay chart has been posted and more often than not people are complaining about what the pay raises are. I am just curious, are DH and I the only ones that think the military gets paid pretty good?

Im talking bout the 2% thing. That was mentioned here

There was a time before monutains of bills etc that I thought so with my Exdh. Josh got compltely screwed out of rank and everything in the Marines. He is the nicest hard working guy you know never had a prob with any one and yet he walks away after 5 years as an e-3 which should have been an E-5.... His unit killed all chances of moral in him. He got paid horribly but he was a single guy in the barraks so it didn't affect him that much. Now if we had got married back them... we would have been struggling so bad. Only think is we would have got BHA. I think the new pay raises the past few years are awesome, and the pay and benefits is too. But, I guess looking at it as a whole depends on how much your "out go" is compared to you "Income" If you dont' have many debts, bills... you have alot left over, then it does appear very nice. If you have bills, debts, and kiddos... it seems like next to nothing. So, it definitly depends on your finances in my opinion... since everyone will have a different take one it :)

It totally depends on what your dh/so does in the military for the pay thing. Some are more some are less... In most of our cases it would be less, some maybe more. The only reason My dh is staying in is b/c he will have 13 yrs in when re-enlists agian. That means only 7 more years and he can retire at age 38!!! 38 is YOUNG to retire. No where else would he be able to do that. An getting out means starting a new career all over to retire.

Im talking bout the 2% thing. That was mentioned here

It has also been mentioned on every other board that has the 2007 pay charts posted. I wasn't even thinking about this board when I posted my question. The other boards people are seriously PO'd and I didn't want to add to that madness. I have never read so many cuss words in my life as I did on the other boards!

IMHO

If you dont agree with the military pay then you need to get out. IF you think that you can get that type of money out in the "real" world, get out.

Yes there "may" be jobs out of there with an increase of pay but you need to go into the civilian work force first to find out.

Jobs are difficult to come by these days....

I think that we get paid pretty well in the Navy, but it's different for everyone. My husband is an E5, I don't work, we pay for 1/2 of my University costs, and we get along fine. Also, we pay a mortgage on a new house, and we own two cars that we bought new with no car payments on either.
But--he has been in for 8 years, he gets flight pay, we don't have kids, he goes on A LOT of detachments and deployments, and we spend pretty frugally.

I think for what they do, and the amount of crap they have to take from their jobs sometimes, they get paid WAY less than they should.
When you're first starting out, it sounds and looks good...until you have to start actually living off of it. Then you realize how much it truely sucks sometimes....

I agree. Most of our paychecks go to bills, and that's not even paying them in full. Our paycheck is usually gone within a couple days between bills, food, etc. Then that leaves us broke until we get paid again. I think the single persons in the military have a decent paycheck because the only people relying on that paycheck is themselves. As for those married, they have a spouse and maybe some kids to worry about. In some places, it's hard for spouses to find a job because they're considered military, so the family has to rely solely on that military paycheck.

Okay, so I had to post a reply about this subject. I feel that I am in an unique situation. We have done the military - civilian - back to the military. I am not too sure if anyone else has done this, but it gives me a vantage point. When hubby was in the military, I lived in Canada, he on the ship. We had two kids and bills were paid, life was decent. He was an E3 at the time. Then he got out and went to school on his GI Bill. For the three years of his bill we were okay, stay at home mom the whole time. Then his bill ran dry, I started to work and we began to get broke.
But he finished his Engineering degree. He got a civilian job, working as an areospace engineer, we moved to the states. Between housing, medical, dental, and just trying to live we were BROKE and we are not big spenders... no fancy cars or anything.
Now he is back in, as an E5 - going through BUDS. Bills are paid every month, I love my house (military housing), and I even get to go shopping once in a while (something I have not done for about 3 years)

Just my two pennies...

I agree...our friends are getting out in 3 weeks because he got a job offer in Maryland that pays starts him at $75,000 a year. He's a nuke and only did his one enlistment, found a job out in the civilian world that paid him what he was worth and he was out. The navy tried to offer him a $95,000 bonus if he stayed but he figured all they were giving him was a little over a year worth of pay so he'd rather be making that right off rather than spend the next 4 years making half that.

We are doing one more enlistment because the bonuses are awesome and he'll be in shore duty so we want the bonus for a downpayment on a house and then we're getting out. I love the Navy, it's treated us VERY well but we do have to consider the fact that he could be making sooo much more out in the civilian world and we could be closer to home. We always include BAH and all the special pays when we take into consideration how much he makes because it's included in his pay package.

That's great but 75 thousand a year in Maryland won't get you much unless you're willing to commute two hours a day.

I don't think we have it that bad here in the Navy. The pay isn't all that bad it pays the bills and we have a good life. Now come March when dh gets out we are going to see things alot different...I'm going to have to go back to work so that we can make it. Even with a Masters degree in Business (Project Management) no one wants to hire him for even the amount he gets paid in the Navy, Once you figure in housing,bas and Pay it equals out to OVER 41K a year. and thats not even counting getting medical for FREE....so yes our quality of life will go down but to us thats ok because our son will get to know his grandparents (more than once a year) and to us thats more inportant. Adam is joining the reserves so that we can pick up insurance at a good rate... if it were just us yes he would probably stay in the Navy but now we have Aaron to think about and getting out is best for our family

Personally I think the pay is fine. Of course I'd love for dh to make more (who wouldn't) but considering many if not all of those who enlisted did so without a degree or experience I'd say they're doing well. Try walking into an interview without schooling or experience and see what's offered. When they climb ranks their pay increases just as it would in a civilian job. Annual raises are NOT a given in the civilian world like many think. Neither are bonuses nor free medical.
As for the nukes they can get out starting at 100 k a year. Our friend had his BA and did just that but with the cost of living, insurance, and retirement funds they're broke.
As long as you live WITHIN your means while in the military the pay is good. If you choose to live as though you're making 75 g's a year you will be broke and miserable in no time. JMO

I think the pay is good. With all the benefits, it really adds up. Most people that we know in real life who want to get out and think it will be so much better are the ones who went in the military right from high school and never experienced outrageous $ crappy healthcare and all the other expenses of the "real world" (like being taxed on ALL pay and having to pay into taxes instead of getting them back). Daycare is SO MUCH cheaper on base, and there are lots of other programs that only take your base pay into account, so in the civilian world you wouldn't qualify for them. My DH would have to have a guaranteed job of 90k for him to convince me that it would make sense to get out. On a side note, we've seen so many people get out and never feel as fufilled doing a job as they did in the military.

We are fortunate either way..Could be worse. But if your able, the pay becomes much better with two incomes.. :)

I think everyone would like for their SO's to make more money....I mean, who wouldn't?
I've never met anyone willing to turn down extra money.

I think for the work they do they don't get paid NEARLY enough, BUT we are able to pay for the apartment we are in, our car payment, and groceries...we were able to have our first child without having to worry about the extra medical bills. So I'm 'settled' on what the pay is. I'm not happy or unhappy with it...I'm just 'settled'.
Now another BUT, I do have a friend whos husband gets about 70,000 a year for working in contrucstion/landscaping kind, and that's starting out at the bottom of the group as well, he makes over double of what the hubs gets paid. So for what our men do I think *depending on the job* they are under paid (not included the benifet perks)...just paycheck pay*.

I think active duty military are very sadly underpaid. I'm counting down the days 'til Jason is able to get out.

Active duty military is extremly underpaid. Yea, you get BAH and sometimes BAS, but that hardly makes up for their base pay. And yea, the medical benefits are "good", but that still doesn't help anything IMO. :no I can't wait for my husband to finish school and get out of the Navy.

Some military families live BELOW the poverty line. How is that ok? :no

Okay, so I had to post a reply about this subject. I feel that I am in an unique situation. We have done the military - civilian - back to the military. I am not too sure if anyone else has done this, but it gives me a vantage point. When hubby was in the military, I lived in Canada, he on the ship. We had two kids and bills were paid, life was decent. He was an E3 at the time. Then he got out and went to school on his GI Bill. For the three years of his bill we were okay, stay at home mom the whole time. Then his bill ran dry, I started to work and we began to get broke.
But he finished his Engineering degree. He got a civilian job, working as an areospace engineer, we moved to the states. Between housing, medical, dental, and just trying to live we were BROKE and we are not big spenders... no fancy cars or anything.
Now he is back in, as an E5 - going through BUDS. Bills are paid every month, I love my house (military housing), and I even get to go shopping once in a while (something I have not done for about 3 years)

Just my two pennies...

We did the same thing. DH was a TM the first enlistment. Not much you can do with that on the outside. We struggled big time. He came back in as an AC. Yes, he was going to get out after this enlistment. And we would have been much better off going civilian this time. But because our family medical needs have changed drastically, it makes more sense for us to suck it up for 7 more years and pull retirement and get the added tricare medical insurance. DH will be going to another govt position when he gets out. Medical is awesome, dental is much better than the military and pay would be double what he is making now. base pay, BAH and BAS all together. plus we wouldnt be living in an area that has such a high cost of living.

First of all, a raise in any form is a wonderful thing. Better than nothing at all or a reduction of some sort.

For us, we too did the military to civilian back to military thing. We lived pretty decent for a young family the first time around. Had our kids, had all our medical care paid for. Things were fine but DH was not happy about being away from the family. He too thought life would be better in the civilian world with his experience and training. For his skill set, employers pretty much could have cared less about his military experience. Finding work was hard, mostly minimum wage, seasonal, and many without any benefits or benefits that took a good chunk the pay. We struggled for 6 years and decided the military was the better option. He got back in and life has been great since. We live well. We so much appreciate all the benefits available to us that we did not have in the civilian world. Just buying groceries at the commissary was an incredible experience compared to a civilian store. Of course, I work full-time too but I didn't for about a year and a half after he got back in and it just got better after I started working. We are also looking to the future. A retirement check, medical benefits. DH will stay in as long as possible to get that better retirement check in the long run. I have to say that we are living as good or better than any of our civilian friends and relatives.

I think the pay is ok, its better than what he was making before he joined.

Some military families live BELOW the poverty line. How is that ok? :no


:yes

Honestly what irritates me the most about the 2007 raise is that they are spending so much money on rebuilding Iraq and yet give the soldiers that are doing the work over there the worst raise in years. It bugs me that we have all the money in the world to help those people, many of who are our enimies, but not enough to give our own a decent raise.

Well, I figured I would throw in my 2 cents.

Personally, I think the amount of hours my hubby works now and the BS he has to deal with should entitle him to more money. But at the same time we are given a bonus pay for him taking this job and he chose to take to this job. He wasn't made to. So all in all I guess I have no room to complain about that. The thing that is hard for us is the COL here. The BAH barely covers housing so all utilities that would be covered in housing are out of our pocket. Housing for us isn't an option since our daughter is in school and imo the schools around housing are not that great. So, it makes it a bit tough for us. But we have a budget and we make do. We don't over spend.

Now when we were in FL. when he was on the ship we made very good money. We put alot of money back every month. WE saved alot of maoney which enabled us to put a good sized down payment on a house that we now have rented out, paid off my car early, and then put money down on a new truck for John. I couldn't even begin to complain in FL.

Also, John was in the military for 4 years, got out, worked in the civilian world for 2 years and then came back in the Navy 5 years ago. I wasn't with him the first time he was in the Navy but I was with him for almost the whole 2 years he was out. For the beginning when we were dating I saw him struggle to get a job. It is very hard to get a job ohter than a minimum wage one where we are from. People could have cared less that he had 4 years military. He took the test to work for the city and scored at number 2. He was called for a job 1 1/2 years later, after he had reelisted in the Navy. For part of it we were married and had our daughter. He got a nice job but we had to move 7-8 hours away from our family. We barely made ends meet. We had no savings cause there wasn't enough left over to even think of starting a savings acct. Our insurance for medical alone for just the 3 of us was almost 400 a month and we had co-pays with that as well. The medical covered vision but not dental so we had to pay more for that as well. I'm not sure how much that was. John made too much for us to get WIC but the funny thing was that 700 we didn't even see cause of taxes, insur. and other things that get taken out each month. Also he was taxed more on his pay than he is now in the military. He hours when he was a civilan were 10 hours a day for 5 days. Not bad compared to his hours now but more than when he was on the ship in FL. He was paid hourly but only maybe twice got overtime so overtime didn't even matter. And when we did our income taxes they took all of his pay, not the base pay or the number the military fixed for us after deployments, so we got less back, alot less.

Am I satisfied with the military pay? When I compare it to how we would struggle if he got out then yes I'm very satisfied. But there are still days when I look at how much he works and how hard he works and I think he deserves and is worth is so much more. John retires in 2017 and he has plans on getting a job so that he will get 2 retirements. When this last baby starts school I will also begin to work so that will make 3 retirement checks. So while there are days now that the pay seems bad and like it sucks I try to look down the road and see that it will all pay off.

I hope that all made sense and sorry about adding more than 2 cents.

IMO, the military don't get paid what they are worth for the work they do. But the military does get paid well when you consider everything that comes with it. I've lived as a civilian and as military and I have struggled much more in the civilian world than I ever thought I would. It's easy to say that the military is underpaid when you aren't having to pay over $100 a week for insurance plus $40 copays to go to the doc. Or when you are only allowed to work 40 hours a week at minimum wage plus having to pay that $100 a week for insurance and taxes, you end up bringing home less that $100. How many families could live off of that? I've seen that way to often for young families here.
The only difference would be that the military doesn't get compensated fairly for what they do. If you want to figure in hours worked versus the pay, then yes the military is incredibly underpaid.
It's all in how you look at things.

Neither one of us compares the civilian pay for a Firefighter with the military pay because in the civilian world DH wouldn't be getting a house/housing allowance, free medical and dental and COLA.

The way we see it, any pay raise is better than nothing.

Completely agree

I'll never complain about a raise. I do wish Jason made more for what he does but at least he's getting paid.

I agree with this too

Because they are enlisted?!

I know dh could get paid 100k in england for his job.

People complain because for the amount of danger, stress and everything else that goes on in the military- they should be getting paid more.

An apprentice cook would make more then an army cook a year.

Then why join? Why not just go to college and learn the same thing? and this is for anyone who feels this way

If you look at it that way then yes, they do get paid jack but, besides those deployed, how many military members acutally "work" 24/7? If that were the case then weekends, holidays and family days wouldn't exist.

well now considering my dh works security there is no such thing as holidays or weekends etc...
My dh has work as many if not more straight weeks stateside as he has overseas.
And yes when you break down the actual hours it is low but dh and I sat down and as a Marshal he still couldn't bring home what he does now with benefits

I believe the pay now is great for the ones just starting out in the military life. Back in the day (and my dh has 16 years in) pay was little and the benefits aren't what they are now. We see young couples bitching nowadays about how little pay they get and yet it is twice what we got back then. Dh doesn't like the Navy anymore and the ones that have over 12 years in agree in the majority of cases because the Navy has changed drastically. He won't quit now with a few years left until retirement but if he had 10 years or less in, he would get out.
Raises are nice and yes alot of us got use to the nice % in the raises but you can't expect it every year. We get a nice one this year because we are getting two..one in January and one in April.

:yes

That's why I said it depends ont he job :P

I don't think he was offered to be a nuke, that's somehting you chose right up front just like every other rate. The thing a lot of people don't like about being a nuke is the first 2 years is schooling.

My husband works around radiation on a daily basis. He works on/opperates a nuclear reactor on a daily basis. It can be pretty dangerous and of course there is a radiation exposure. There are reason that certain civilian jobs pay better than others... the hazzards and knowledge needed. The militray doens't take that into consideration the way the civilian world does.

Nukes aren't the only ones exposed to that stuff though. My dh sat on top of those 2 subs in charleston 12 hours shifts and had to wear the same damn radiation detector shit and didn't get a pay increase we actually got a pay cut cause he went from sea to shore.

Not trying to start something but personally a NUKE should have to serve more than 6 years for the amount of money the Navy sinks into.
JMO

Your told what jobs you could do depending on your ASVAB score.

Yep dh was offered Nuke too but was warned of the "brainwashing" as they put it way back then :giggle

I think most have pointed out what I am about to say but I'll put it out there anyway...lol

When you are speaking about the position itself (including, but not limited to, nature of position, risk factor, hours, contract terms, rate of promotion, etc.), many positions are underpaid compared to a civilian position. Not all, but at least "some".... if not many. Now as far as the personal aspect and wether or not you feel its "enough"...that is based on too many factors to put a blanket statement in either direction. It will depend on what you education level is, your pay prior to the military, your previous company benefits, your previous living conditions, your level of comfort, your goals, etc. If you came from a position that pays $40,000/year, benfits included full health/dental/vision care for you and your family, transportation allowance, paid vacation/sick/personal time, all annual holidays off, set 9-5 with overtime, regular annual bonuses and raises....then perhaps you might take notice of the military pay. If you were on the opposition end of the spectrum, then you would see an improvement from your previous lifestyle and may not be inclined to comment on the pay as "low". Again, it all depends on circumstances and the nature of the position. As to why stay, most are likely to stay because the military has taken them to a challenging financial state in which they need to recover or never adjusted to. Others are simply fufilling their obligation to their country and will in fact move on to the civilian world. Just because it was a "choice" to enter a low paying/high risk position does not mean there is no cause for action or that you should not call for change. If no one complained....change would not occur. If civilian counterparts in "war zones" are being paid a higher wage, then I believe that prompts people question and to seek out equality. Sure you are happy with the pay and you have "accepted" it but is it fair simply because you "agreed" to it?

well now considering my dh works security there is no such thing as holidays or weekends etc...
My dh has work as many if not more straight weeks stateside as he has overseas.
And yes when you break down the actual hours it is low but dh and I sat down and as a Marshal he still couldn't bring home what he does now with benefits


Being a Firefighter my husband doesn't get weekends, holidays and family days off either but I am used to it. I kind of like going to the Fire Station for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the guys there are family.

Being a Firefighter my husband doesn't get weekends, holidays and family days off either but I am used to it. I kind of like going to the Fire Station for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the guys there are family.

oh we are used to it to dh has been in for 12 years.
I don't take jack into the command cause here they are so undermanned that there is usually only one person in the office any way.
And if something goes wrong since dh is the Sup he has to go do it. So we just spend the holidays at home just the kids and I and accept it :D

I think most have pointed out what I am about to say but I'll put it out there anyway...lol

When you are speaking about the position itself (including, but not limited to, nature of position, risk factor, hours, contract terms, rate of promotion, etc.), many positions are underpaid compared to a civilian position. Not all, but at least "some".... if not many. Now as far as the personal aspect and wether or not you feel its "enough"...that is based on too many factors to put a blanket statement in either direction. It will depend on what you education level is, your pay prior to the military, your previous company benefits, your previous living conditions, your level of comfort, your goals, etc. If you came from a position that pays $40,000/year, benfits included full health/dental/vision care for you and your family, transportation allowance, paid vacation/sick/personal time, all annual holidays off, set 9-5 with overtime, regular annual bonuses and raises....then perhaps you might take notice of the military pay. If you were on the opposition end of the spectrum, then you would see an improvement from your previous lifestyle and may not be inclined to comment on the pay as "low". Again, it all depends on circumstances and the nature of the position. As to why stay, most are likely to stay because the military has taken them to a challenging financial state in which they need to recover or never adjusted to. Others are simply fufilling their obligation to their country and will in fact move on to the civilian world. Just because it was a "choice" to enter a low paying/high risk position does not mean there is no cause for action or that you should not call for change. If no one complained....change would not occur. If civilian counterparts in "war zones" are being paid a higher wage, then I believe that prompts people question and to seek out equality. Sure you are happy with the pay and you have "accepted" it but is it fair simply because you "agreed" to it?

I completely agree with you. I also put in bold what my DH states all the time. He says that most people stay in the military because they become dependent on it. Do you think the military wants you to get out? Most likely No...they want you to become dependent on the military so you have no other choice but to stay in. *These are my DH's words*...

I think they are underpaid...especially for what they do. DB broke it down & figured out that he gets paid only about $2.00 an hour as an E-2, which is nothing compared to the $6.50 minimum wage that civilians get paid. And thats dumb considering the training they go through & how they put their lives in danger.

I think there are so many opinions going on, but in all truth, men and women join the service VOLUNTARILY. There is security in the insurance and a constant paycheck. The educational benefits are more than some would ever have in the civilian sect and are all too often overlooked by some. Our country is at war and it requires more from our soldiers than in non war times. We need to keep in mind that while our SO is deployed there are tax free advantages that you would never see in the civilian sect either.
Our military and service people USUALLY join a service because of a personal need to do so, I dont think $$$ was a serious motivator when they signed up. I don't know, I think all in all, military life has many rewards that are not monetarily involved. Just my opinion.

I think most have pointed out what I am about to say but I'll put it out there anyway...lol

When you are speaking about the position itself (including, but not limited to, nature of position, risk factor, hours, contract terms, rate of promotion, etc.), many positions are underpaid compared to a civilian position. Not all, but at least "some".... if not many. Now as far as the personal aspect and wether or not you feel its "enough"...that is based on too many factors to put a blanket statement in either direction. It will depend on what you education level is, your pay prior to the military, your previous company benefits, your previous living conditions, your level of comfort, your goals, etc. If you came from a position that pays $40,000/year, benfits included full health/dental/vision care for you and your family, transportation allowance, paid vacation/sick/personal time, all annual holidays off, set 9-5 with overtime, regular annual bonuses and raises....then perhaps you might take notice of the military pay. If you were on the opposition end of the spectrum, then you would see an improvement from your previous lifestyle and may not be inclined to comment on the pay as "low". Again, it all depends on circumstances and the nature of the position. As to why stay, most are likely to stay because the military has taken them to a challenging financial state in which they need to recover or never adjusted to. Others are simply fufilling their obligation to their country and will in fact move on to the civilian world. Just because it was a "choice" to enter a low paying/high risk position does not mean there is no cause for action or that you should not call for change. If no one complained....change would not occur. If civilian counterparts in "war zones" are being paid a higher wage, then I believe that prompts people question and to seek out equality. Sure you are happy with the pay and you have "accepted" it but is it fair simply because you "agreed" to it?

I totally agree with you. Overall, I'd say military (As a whole) is definitely underpaid. I say that based on the job (hours worked, time spent away from home, the war going on, etc).

Someone (I believe it was Kym) said that things are a lot better now as far as pay. I have to disagree with that. Yes, there have been pay raises so everyone is technically making more money. However, 12 years ago, the cost of living is nowhere near what it is now. The prices for everything from gas, groceries, homes, clothing, utilities, etc. have all gone way up in the past several years. I, personally, feel that the military has definitely NOT kept up with the rising cost of living. Yes, we make it. We budget our asses off, I shop sales even if it means going to several stores, I shop at consignment shops for all of our clothes, we have a very very low cell phone minutes package, we have a pretty basic cable package, etc. I'm very thankful that we can make it on his pay with 3 children, but it definitely does not come easy. We have to put a lot of effort into it. As an e6 with almost 10 years in, with a college degree, someone who has busted his ever loving ass for the Navy in whatever way possible, I don't think his income matches what he's worth... not even close. I'm not even factoring in the fact that he could be sent off on deployments, war, stands duty every week, works plenty of "overtime", etc. The only reason I don't bitch about it more than I do is because I feel that the Navy has definitely helped in other ways such as experience, life skills, job training, money for school and a way to provide for his family while attaining these things. Base pay though... not nearly enough, IMO. We get by but I think he's worth more than that.

One thing that always trips me out is how the military makes so many people feel so reliant on them, like they can't do any better for themselves if they wanted to. I hear so many people talk like they could never make it on the outside and the military is so good to them. There are millions of people who make it and do well for themselves outside of the military. I guess it all boils down to personal situations, circumstance and skills though. :dunno

I completely agree with you. I also put in bold what my DH states all the time. He says that most people stay in the military because they become dependent on it. Do you think the military wants you to get out? Most likely No...they want you to become dependent on the military so you have no other choice but to stay in. *These are my DH's words*...

:yes

I was posting as you were. Great minds think alike :giggle

One thing that always trips me out is how the military makes so many people feel so reliant on them, like they can't do any better for themselves if they wanted to. I hear so many people talk like they could never make it on the outside and the military is so good to them. There are millions of people who make it and do well for themselves outside of the military. I guess it all boils down to personal situations, circumstance and skills though. :dunno

I completely agree with you!!! DH and I were talking about this exact thing today! :D James used the EXACT words that you just said. He goes "There are millions of people who make it outside of the military". :teehee

:yes

I was posting as you were. Great minds think alike :giggle

:yes :thumbsup :wink

I totally agree with you. Overall, I'd say military (As a whole) is definitely underpaid. I say that based on the job (hours worked, time spent away from home, the war going on, etc).

Someone (I believe it was Kym) said that things are a lot better now as far as pay. I have to disagree with that. Yes, there have been pay raises so everyone is technically making more money. However, 12 years ago, the cost of living is nowhere near what it is now. The prices for everything from gas, groceries, homes, clothing, utilities, etc. have all gone way up in the past several years. I, personally, feel that the military has definitely NOT kept up with the rising cost of living. Yes, we make it. We budget our asses off, I shop sales even if it means going to several stores, I shop at consignment shops for all of our clothes, we have a very very low cell phone minutes package, we have a pretty basic cable package, etc. I'm very thankful that we can make it on his pay with 3 children, but it definitely does not come easy. We have to put a lot of effort into it. As an e6 with almost 10 years in, with a college degree, someone who has busted his ever loving ass for the Navy in whatever way possible, I don't think his income matches what he's worth... not even close. I'm not even factoring in the fact that he could be sent off on deployments, war, stands duty every week, works plenty of "overtime", etc. The only reason I don't bitch about it more than I do is because I feel that the Navy has definitely helped in other ways such as experience, life skills, job training, money for school and a way to provide for his family while attaining these things. Base pay though... not nearly enough, IMO. We get by but I think he's worth more than that.

One thing that always trips me out is how the military makes so many people feel so reliant on them, like they can't do any better for themselves if they wanted to. I hear so many people talk like they could never make it on the outside and the military is so good to them. There are millions of people who make it and do well for themselves outside of the military. I guess it all boils down to personal situations, circumstance and skills though. :dunno

I agree!


I know for my dad, my parents werent making it financially at all when my dad was serving. He got out and things were tough for a little while but not as bad and now my dad is going great.

I'm not sure I understand the thing about becoming reliant on the military. It's a job, a career not unlike anyone else out there working for a living. You join voluntarily just as others have said. Does this mean that everyone that loves their job, the pay, their benefits that they are reliant on that job? I don't understand what is meant by that. I may not be expressing myself well on this but I take it that those that feel the military has been a better option for them than the civilian world that somehow that is a bad thing. To me, being thankful for what I have & content can't be really a bad thing.

Being one that has been through the getting out of the Navy, lived as civilian, then back in situation I know that it isn't always greener on the other side. It is sad to see so many young military couples unhappy with the military life and think that things must be better in the civilian world. We were just like that and it about ruined us. I am not saying that would be the case for everyone, but we (DH & I) have seen so many that were positive things will be better and find out it wasn't what they thought they would have. I think this does really apply to those that get out without any preparation of course. Those that made hasty decisions. We weren't prepared and we suffered for it.

I think that for some (not all) the military puts everything in a nice little "package" and they label it "benefit" (some of it is and some of it isn't). Again, it all depends on where you came from, your education level, your job opportunities, your previous benefits. For some, (not all, let me repeat....not all) there is the illusion of security and benefits. Many of these things can be obtained on your own, however, the convenience is removed since you have to do it on your own. You can become conformed or dependant on the military in many ways...one of which is financial burden (reduced pay, spouses reduced pay from moving around here there and everywhere, etc. cost of living, etc), another is convenience (by way of the military "providing" certain things to you like convenience housing, shipping of HHG, health care, etc.). In actuality, many of these items are not "provided" to you...they are simply arranged for you which you could very well do on your own. They offer conveneince and less hassle. Again...this is for some situations...not all.

ETA: Some of the benefits are hard to argue with such as tax free and education benefits, however, some often don't see tax free and are having a hard time finding time to use those education benefits while still in the military. Still great benefits though.....

Well I have to say that when dh was an E4 we were only bringing in just under $600 a payday(including BAH). Our pay has more than tripled since then and that was with SD BAH. Our mortgage payment is 1300 now but rent was over 800 back then for a 2 bedroom apt so yes it has improved tremendously

And I dont think they try to make you dependent on them.
Yes we know that we have a steady pay check but even that has to be fought for at times so how is that being dependent on something?

Social security is getting 3.3...im sure the congress is getting a raise so yes it is a slap in the face imo. I can complain..nothing wrong with complaining..however as a whole, yes we are well off, but nothing wrong with wanting better for yourself.