Military pay and BAH shoudl be higher or you think its fine the way it is?

It should be much higher, IMO.

It should be much higher, IMO.

Im starting to agree with you on that, it should a little higher than what it is.

Military pay and BAH shoudl be higher or you think its fine the way it is?

This is definitely a touchy subject for some people, but YES I think it should be higher. It's really sad to me that a lot of military families are below the poverty line for their income (granted a lot of the benefits bring it up), but the cash flow that these families have is really low. If they were to try to live off their pay and the BAH a lot of families wouldn't be able to make it and the caregivers for the children (husband or wife) have to work and put their children in daycare which is another expense as well. Some families can make it some can't, but pay isn't near what is "should" be. That'll never change though.

I think base pay should be higher. Man....we'd be RICH if Bryan got paid overtime, since a normal work week consists of 100+ hours...
But other than that, we get by just fine financially. That may change when we move to VA and all the extra pays go away like Special Duty pay, Nuke pay, Sub pay, Sea pay, etc...
Some areas could use an increase in BAH and and could use COLA too!!!

Way higher!!! :)

This is a touchy subject for some, but not for me. Yes, we get benefits such as medical, etc., but IMO, that doesn't make up for the fact of the amount of hours and the things are SO's are required to do. Yes, people get hazard pay and what not when they're on deployments, but what about their jobs they do everyday?! I know if something were to happen to my husband, no amount of money could make up for it, but it would be nice to have some sort of extra because of the work he does. And for the amount of hours they work, it's insane. Many military families live below the poverty line and live paycheck to paycheck. Why do the men and women that are serving our country get so low-paid?! So yes, I think it should be higher.

Definitley should be higher. Now every active duty gets BAH but some years ago the very low on rank ones didn't and I can't belive I get pay more than what they did without their BAH :( it's sad cause they do work such a looooooong hours.

This is a touchy subject for some, but not for me. Yes, we get benefits such as medical, etc., but IMO, that doesn't make up for the fact of the amount of hours and the things are SO's are required to do. Yes, people get hazard pay and what not when they're on deployments, but what about their jobs they do everyday?! I know if something were to happen to my husband, no amount of money could make up for it, but it would be nice to have some sort of extra because of the work he does. And for the amount of hours they work, it's insane. Many military families live below the poverty line and live paycheck to paycheck. Why do the men and women that are serving our country get so low-paid?! So yes, I think it should be higher.

I agree, I know that for the first year or so its going to be really hard on us. Im not through with school, it would be really hard for me to get a high paying job to help support the bills we would have. He is the soul provider now for the both of us, and we will struggle to make ends meet. We could make it a little better and sell his car and get something cheaper, but we shouldnt have to do that. Most people have car payments, car insurnace, food bills, cable and internet, dr. bills, medications.

I just hope to god nothing major happens to his car or either of ours health, we would be screwed.

ITs hard starting a life when you are newly married, and the pay just dosent seem to cut it.

Its sad to me that I worked retail and my paycheck every two weeks was on average 1-3 hundred dollards more than his was. But now that I dont work, and that I am moving to a place where jobs are not the best its going to be reallllly hard to make it.

I agree that it should be higher, people who serve our country should get paid better, and I dont think it should be a whole lot more, but increase it a bit, so people dont have to struggle.

I agree, I know that for the first year or so its going to be really hard on us. Im not through with school, it would be really hard for me to get a high paying job to help support the bills we would have. He is the soul provider now for the both of us, and we will struggle to make ends meet. We could make it a little better and sell his car and get something cheaper, but we shouldnt have to do that. Most people have car payments, car insurnace, food bills, cable and internet, dr. bills, medications.

I just hope to god nothing major happens to his car or either of ours health, we would be screwed.

ITs hard starting a life when you are newly married, and the pay just dosent seem to cut it.

Its sad to me that I worked retail and my paycheck every two weeks was on average 1-3 hundred dollards more than his was. But now that I dont work, and that I am moving to a place where jobs are not the best its going to be reallllly hard to make it.

I agree that it should be higher, people who serve our country should get paid better, and I dont think it should be a whole lot more, but increase it a bit, so people dont have to struggle.

I know exactly how you feel with making more than our men and now we aren't making anything. I made equal or a little bit than DH a month and now I'm not working, so we're relying on his paychecks. And this little town doesn't have great job opportunities, and it makes it even harder only having one vehicle between the both of us. I wanted a work at home job, but I still can't trust myself to find a legit one. I've started Avon and I know I won't be making alot, but it's better than nother.

Yup dh could be making more on the outside. As much overtime he puts in he doesn't get extra but he loves what he does so that is all that counts.

I know exactly how you feel with making more than our men and now we aren't making anything. I made equal or a little bit than DH a month and now I'm not working, so we're relying on his paychecks. And this little town doesn't have great job opportunities, and it makes it even harder only having one vehicle between the both of us. I wanted a work at home job, but I still can't trust myself to find a legit one. I've started Avon and I know I won't be making alot, but it's better than nother.

Its really frustrating, I dont want to not work. I want to do something, but its gonna be so hard. I want to work so I can atleast help pay for something, even if its little.

Yes, it should be higher... but most jobs do not pay what we are worth. I know our men are put in harms way, believe me, with a hubby who is going for SEALs I am aware. However, the fact remains that their pay does increase with service, there are some nice benefits, and the most important thing (and is probably going to raise some eyebrows) this is more than just a "job". It is hard to compare this to a regular "civilian" job. My hubby has a degree and was working as a areospace engineer, yet he went back in. He said that he just did not feel the same pride working in the civilian sector. He truly believes in what he is doing.
It is a touchy subject, but like most subjects, it mostly depends on your perspective.
In Canada, the pay for the military is SHITTY. Officers and families are living below the poverty line! There is just no money. In other countries, military service is mandatory for its men and as a result the pay is not great at all.
Its all about perspective.
** And now I will hop off my soapbox and duck all the rotten fruit from those who disagree with me ;) **

Needs to be higher, especially overseas where even COLA does not make up the difference. They don't factor in that we are limited on our options for clothing, furniture, etc. because of where we are. It's a rough situation.

I agree it should be higher. That's why we decided to extend in Germany, because we do make extra living over seas. If we went back to the states we would barely get by.

of course it should be higher but we make it work somehow.

I think base pay should be higher. Man....we'd be RICH if Bryan got paid overtime, since a normal work week consists of 100+ hours...
But other than that, we get by just fine financially. That may change when we move to VA and all the extra pays go away like Special Duty pay, Nuke pay, Sub pay, Sea pay, etc...
Some areas could use an increase in BAH and and could use COLA too!!!

Seriously! Tommy works overtime every single day. Everyone else leaves at 1 and he'll leave after 4. It sucks but thats his job. :mumble

Much higher...because ALL hours they work....i just dont think its fair.

I think the base pay is fine (but who wouldn't want more pay) the BAH on the other hand really needs an over haul. We could live off of dh's pay alone here in Pa but there's no way we could live off of his pay alone in Va.

I think the base pay is fine (but who wouldn't want more pay) the BAH on the other hand really needs an over haul. We could live off of dh's pay alone here in Pa but there's no way we could live off of his pay alone in Va.

:yes

I agree with the BAH, but the base pay is ok with us. I do not agree with upping any of the "special" pays other than combat pay for our men/women in the sand. People become dependent on those special pays and tend when they move someplace with out them they freak because they were not prepared to loose them. Military pay is not horrible when you think of all the perks that go with the service, but just like any income you have to be prepared to live WITH IN your means.

Yes, it should be higher.

Pay should be higher. BAH is ok.

I have never complained about the pay we received in the military, simply because we were better off on military pay than we ever were at home. I haven't even figured in the uniform pay, special pays such as HDP, sea pay and combat pay, DLA, OHA, COLA and SRB's. When you think about the "extras" that you get through the military, there aren't very many positions out there that would compare. I'm not saying we were rich by far in the military, but we were comfortable and took into account everything that we were receiving.

Oh, and about the overtime, there are very few jobs that pay 40-50k, and pay overtime. Most of these jobs are salaried and do not include overtime.

OK, I'm going to go with an E-5 with 6 years in for this example:

Base pay: 2323.80/month x 12 =27885.60

BAH (wa state area) 1042.00/month x 12 = 12504.00

Then figure in health insurance which in the private sector (if your employer does not contribute) could cost anywhere from 500-1000/month so I'll go with 750/month for a family = 9000/year.

A family of 4 spends (on average) 100-150/week on groceries and wal mart items such as trash bags, laundry soap etc at the commissary. Which translates to 4-600/month. At Safeway or Albertsons it would probably cost 20% or so more correct? That is another 100-125 dollars a month.

That brings us to

Base pay: 27885.60
BAH: 12504.00
Health ins: 9000.00
Grocery savings: 1500.00

Total: about 51000.00 a year.

DH and I both think the pay is good.

We've never complained about the pay. If there isn't enough money to cover the bills, that's on us and means that we need to budget better.

If anything, they ought to get more pay just for dealing with all the bull crap.

If anything, they ought to get more pay just for dealing with all the bull crap.

AMEN to that.

I have never complained about the pay we received in the military, simply because we were better off on military pay than we ever were at home. I haven't even figured in the uniform pay, special pays such as HDP, sea pay and combat pay, DLA, OHA, COLA and SRB's. When you think about the "extras" that you get through the military, there aren't very many positions out there that would compare. I'm not saying we were rich by far in the military, but we were comfortable and took into account everything that we were receiving.

Oh, and about the overtime, there are very few jobs that pay 40-50k, and pay overtime. Most of these jobs are salaried and do not include overtime.

OK, I'm going to go with an E-5 with 6 years in for this example:

Base pay: 2323.80/month x 12 =27885.60

BAH (wa state area) 1042.00/month x 12 = 12504.00

Then figure in health insurance which in the private sector (if your employer does not contribute) could cost anywhere from 500-1000/month so I'll go with 750/month for a family = 9000/year.

A family of 4 spends (on average) 100-150/week on groceries and wal mart items such as trash bags, laundry soap etc at the commissary. Which translates to 4-600/month. At Safeway or Albertsons it would probably cost 20% or so more correct? That is another 100-125 dollars a month.

That brings us to

Base pay: 27885.60
BAH: 12504.00
Health ins: 9000.00
Grocery savings: 1500.00

Total: about 51000.00 a year.


very well put. we're both in the civi world now and pay a LOT per month for health coverage, AND that's not even to mention the things that AREN'T covered by our insurance that we have to pay for!!

I think the base pay is fine (but who wouldn't want more pay) the BAH on the other hand really needs an over haul. We could live off of dh's pay alone here in Pa but there's no way we could live off of his pay alone in Va.

I agree, We are good. Yeah it would be nice for dh to get paid overtime but he knew that going in. yeah BAH sucks but hey it could be worse, we could just get Base pay and that be it

very well said Laurie! :thumbsup

I agree with the BAH, but the base pay is ok with us. I do not agree with upping any of the "special" pays other than combat pay for our men/women in the sand. People become dependent on those special pays and tend when they move someplace with out them they freak because they were not prepared to loose them. Military pay is not horrible when you think of all the perks that go with the service, but just like any income you have to be prepared to live WITH IN your means.

Very well said :D

*I pulled this off another site I visit...GREAT information!!
CY07 BAH Rates

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for CY07 were announced last week by DOD. They are on line at the following link: https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html

As you review the rate for your duty area and paygrade, it helps to understand what BAH is supposed to do, what it’s not supposed to do, and how the rates are determined. BAH rates are calculated using formulas based on statutes and DOD regulations. Here are some of the factors used to calculate BAH rates:

BAH Survey: In May, June, and July of each year, a DOD contractor conducts a survey of the rental market within a one-hour commute of over 400 military housing areas (MHAs) throughout the country. Coast Guard housing offices participate in the survey and submit newspaper rental listings, apartment guides, and other information that shows local rental costs. Areas that are unsuitable for military members due to crime, poor schools, or other reasons are identified by census grid and are not included in the BAH rate calculations. For small units that are not included within an MHA, rates are determined by “county cost groups” based on rental cost data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Additional Costs: Average utility costs (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and renters’ insurance costs are also included in the BAH calculations. Other costs of living (food, gas, etc.) are not included in the BAH calculation.

Purchase Costs: BAH rates are based only on rental costs. Let me repeat that: rates are based only on rental costs, not the cost of buying a home. Housing purchase prices, mortgage rates, real estate taxes, maintenance expenses, and other costs of buying and owning a home are not considered as part of the BAH calculations.

Anchor Points: BAH rates are based on “anchor points” for E-5, E-6, W-3, and O-5. The “anchor point” is supposed to represent “typical” housing for a member of that paygrade. Rates for other paygrades are based on the anchor point plus a percentage of the difference in cost between the anchor point and the next higher housing type. The rates are then adjusted to reflect rental costs for people with similar income levels. All rates are based on rental costs rather than purchase price. Here are the housing types, anchor points, and percentages for the with-dependents BAH for each paygrade:

Pay-grade Housing Type
E-1 to E-4 Midpoint between 2-bedroom apartment and 2-bedroom townhouse
E-5* 2-bedroom townhouse
O-1 2-bedroom townhouse// 11% of 3-bedroom townhouse
O-2 2-bedroom townhouse// 98% of 3-bedroom townhouse
E-6* 3-bedroom townhouse
E-7 3-bedroom townhouse// 36% of 3-bedroom single family
O-1E 3-bedroom townhouse// 44% of 3-bedroom single family
W-2 3-bedroom townhouse// 52% of 3-bedroom single family
E-8 3-bedroom townhouse// 75% of 3-bedroom single family
O-2E 3-bedroom townhouse// 93% of 3-bedroom single family
O-3 3-bedroom townhouse// 98% of 3-bedroom single family
W-3* 3-bedroom single-family house
E-9 3-bedroom single-family house// 16% of 4-BR single family
W-4 3-bedroom single-family house// 22% of 4-BR single family
O-3E 3-bedroom single-family house// 26% of 4-BR single family
O-4 3-bedroom single-family house// 58% of 4-BR single family
O-5* 4-bedroom single-family house
O-6 4-bedroom single-family house
O-7 4-bedroom single-family house
* Anchor Point

Rate Protection: BAH rates may decrease if rental costs in an area drop from the prior year. For example, the E-5 rate in the Philadelphia/Camden area went down by $17 per month for 2007. For members already in the area, rates are “grandfathered” so that individual payments do not drop until the member receives PCS orders or changes BAH status (for example, change from BAH with dependents to BAH without dependents). However, new members transferring into the area will receive the lower amount.

Personal Decision: BAH provides a tax free allowance that is supposed to reflect an “average” housing cost for each paygrade. However, where to live is a very personal decision for each family. Each of us considers housing costs, commuting distance, school systems, recreational opportunities, and many other factors when deciding where to live. The choice to rent or buy is also a personal choice. BAH does not nor is it intended to cover the cost of every possible housing choice. Please contact your local housing officer to discuss the possibility of Coast Guard leased housing if you are unable to find affordable housing for your family.

We don't pay for health insurance since we qualify for Tricare retired, and that is why I don't complain about his retirement pay because of the $$ we don't have to put out for that, but still, you have to look at the whole picture, not just what shows up in your paycheck.

ETA: We do pay for medical care, I forgot because we pay it quarterly. It's less than 100/month I think. It's taken directly out of his retirement check.

*I pulled this off another site I visit...GREAT information!!
CY07 BAH Rates

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for CY07 were announced last week by DOD. They are on line at the following link: https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html

As you review the rate for your duty area and paygrade, it helps to understand what BAH is supposed to do, what it’s not supposed to do, and how the rates are determined. BAH rates are calculated using formulas based on statutes and DOD regulations. Here are some of the factors used to calculate BAH rates:

BAH Survey: In May, June, and July of each year, a DOD contractor conducts a survey of the rental market within a one-hour commute of over 400 military housing areas (MHAs) throughout the country. Coast Guard housing offices participate in the survey and submit newspaper rental listings, apartment guides, and other information that shows local rental costs. Areas that are unsuitable for military members due to crime, poor schools, or other reasons are identified by census grid and are not included in the BAH rate calculations. For small units that are not included within an MHA, rates are determined by “county cost groups” based on rental cost data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Additional Costs: Average utility costs (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and renters’ insurance costs are also included in the BAH calculations. Other costs of living (food, gas, etc.) are not included in the BAH calculation.

Purchase Costs: BAH rates are based only on rental costs. Let me repeat that: rates are based only on rental costs, not the cost of buying a home. Housing purchase prices, mortgage rates, real estate taxes, maintenance expenses, and other costs of buying and owning a home are not considered as part of the BAH calculations.

Anchor Points: BAH rates are based on “anchor points” for E-5, E-6, W-3, and O-5. The “anchor point” is supposed to represent “typical” housing for a member of that paygrade. Rates for other paygrades are based on the anchor point plus a percentage of the difference in cost between the anchor point and the next higher housing type. The rates are then adjusted to reflect rental costs for people with similar income levels. All rates are based on rental costs rather than purchase price. Here are the housing types, anchor points, and percentages for the with-dependents BAH for each paygrade:

Pay-grade Housing Type
E-1 to E-4 Midpoint between 2-bedroom apartment and 2-bedroom townhouse
E-5* 2-bedroom townhouse
O-1 2-bedroom townhouse// 11% of 3-bedroom townhouse
O-2 2-bedroom townhouse// 98% of 3-bedroom townhouse
E-6* 3-bedroom townhouse
E-7 3-bedroom townhouse// 36% of 3-bedroom single family
O-1E 3-bedroom townhouse// 44% of 3-bedroom single family
W-2 3-bedroom townhouse// 52% of 3-bedroom single family
E-8 3-bedroom townhouse// 75% of 3-bedroom single family
O-2E 3-bedroom townhouse// 93% of 3-bedroom single family
O-3 3-bedroom townhouse// 98% of 3-bedroom single family
W-3* 3-bedroom single-family house
E-9 3-bedroom single-family house// 16% of 4-BR single family
W-4 3-bedroom single-family house// 22% of 4-BR single family
O-3E 3-bedroom single-family house// 26% of 4-BR single family
O-4 3-bedroom single-family house// 58% of 4-BR single family
O-5* 4-bedroom single-family house
O-6 4-bedroom single-family house
O-7 4-bedroom single-family house
* Anchor Point

Rate Protection: BAH rates may decrease if rental costs in an area drop from the prior year. For example, the E-5 rate in the Philadelphia/Camden area went down by $17 per month for 2007. For members already in the area, rates are “grandfathered” so that individual payments do not drop until the member receives PCS orders or changes BAH status (for example, change from BAH with dependents to BAH without dependents). However, new members transferring into the area will receive the lower amount.

Personal Decision: BAH provides a tax free allowance that is supposed to reflect an “average” housing cost for each paygrade. However, where to live is a very personal decision for each family. Each of us considers housing costs, commuting distance, school systems, recreational opportunities, and many other factors when deciding where to live. The choice to rent or buy is also a personal choice. BAH does not nor is it intended to cover the cost of every possible housing choice. Please contact your local housing officer to discuss the possibility of Coast Guard leased housing if you are unable to find affordable housing for your family.

Very nice find :D

one more thing to take into consideration... BAH is tax free... that means, to calculate what it would be in "taxable terms" take the amt TIMES 1.25


so say your bah is 1000... that, as TAXABLE INCOME would be $1250

We do fine, but there could always be more!!!

I don't know, it's hard for me to say. Nick is making more money right now that most of the people he graduated college with if you factor in BAH and everything, but that's just because we live in Hawaii, I guess.

Ooooh....DB and I were talking about this when he was up here. I think military should make waaaaay more to be honest. I mean come on....guys who run a football up a field, hit a baseball, or run a basketball up a court get millions a year for what???:vent I think it is crap they make all that money but yet the men and women who defend this country get shafted??:irked I mean that is just straight up bullsh!t if you ask me. So my vote goes to military making more.

i feel these are the ppl who support and protect EVERYTONE! even those high paid actors and altheltes. i feel teachers, fire fighters, and MILITARY should get paid WAY more then they do. i can't imagine not having ajob when Db and i get married. i have high standards for my future and i know military wont cut it.

Oh, and about the overtime, there are very few jobs that pay 40-50k, and pay overtime. Most of these jobs are salaried and do not include overtime.



I just wanted to add that my DH is getting out of the Navy next month, the job he just accepted starts him at $42,240 per year, and he will get overtime! :D

Did you expect anyone to say no?? Yes, I think that the military members SHOULD be paid more - because they are put in harms way to defend our country.
The congress needs to remember that next time they vote THEMSELVES a raise, and give a measly 2.5% to the military.

No matter what your family income is, each family needs to learn how to live within their means...if that means that you can't go out to dinner 3 times a week, then you don't go out to dinner 3 times a week. Instead of going out to the movies, rent one....
The old saying goes, the more you make, the more you spend. It really is true.
Thankfully the military provides housing (most places), extra money for food, medical, dental...... There are plenty of families in our country trying to make it on minimum wage jobs and they can't afford decent housing, let alone medical and dental. Yes, the pay in the military is NOT usually comparable to civilian counterparts in some jobs, but in other jobs it is WAY better than the outside world.

E2 Jones married no kids works at the chowhall.....he has full medical, dental, food paid for, comrats, 2 bedroom house where utilities are paid for....did I forget to mention the 30 days leave??

Jon Jones works at Applebees full time with possible overtime. Struggling to pay his rent, has medical maybe dental - but has to pay a premium. No extra money for food...and darn, utilities need to be paid AGAIN.

Well...being that I work outside the home I know how hard it is to get a raise...and a good one at that! DH gets a raise pretty much every year...no questions asked...I think his pay is good. Would I like for him to get paid more...ofcourse, who wouldn't want to make more money! But is it that bad....nope, not at all! We make ends meet and we almost always have some extra left over. Shit, I can't even expect the military to give us COLA if my own job doesn't even do that...kwim