Wednesday, June 13, 2007

In Terms of the Beans; certainly not the Pork!

$


Our E-3 makes a MONTHLY base pay of $1,501.20.

Click here for military pay charts and benefits.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, De'on. That's so very little for providing us all with freedom and security. Seeing the chart laid out so methodically...it's so cold, isn't it? I know that money isn't an incentive of service, 'nor should it be, but that's barely a liveable wage. Then if a service-member has a family, that's shameful. Our Troops, and Veterans, deserve so much more, and it's painful to see so much waste in government. I'd like to know of ANY politician who would be able to manage on such a pittance for all the blood, sweat, and tears which our men and women shed every day. Makes me proud to know that there are still so many who will serve with pride and honour, knowing that their lives will be ones of constant financial strain. Thank you for all your work on this post.

Veritas et Fidelis Semper

De'on Miller said...

The military does provide several other benefits, but no, our troops worth cannot ever be measured this way. There's not enough money. Not enough money ever.

Thank you for your interest, Deborah. Every aspect of their lives is interesting to me.

Semper Fi Mom said...

It is so interesting to me too De'on. I'm always asking the boys all sorts of questions.

Chantal said...

We lived on the measely scraps of an E3 pay grade for the first year and half of our marriage. When you get promoted your pay goes up, but only a couple hundred a month. One nice thing about military pay (as little as it may be) is the fact that if you are married, you get BAH (basic allowance for housing) which brings in about $1400 extra a month, that includes the food allowance as well. In southern California it is pretty much impossible to survive on one income so the money is gone as fast as it comes in. For other service members who live in less expensive parts of the country, it is probably a little easier to make the buck stretch further, but financial strain comes in different shapes and sizes. Our military deserves a heck of a lot more money for the sacrifices they make every day. What is sad is the fact that if you can throw a ball fast and hard or you can stand on a stage and perform, you will have it made. The politicians make tons of money to run their mouths, but those who are out there risking thier lives and the families that sacrifice every day are forced to scrape by just to make ends meat. It has been said and is SO true that you don't join the military for the money!!! You join for the sheer fact that you love this country and you want to do your part to see that our freedoms stay in tact and that your friends and family are safe and sound! It is a calling that not many answer, but those who do are willing and able to do what it takes to protect our country. All the money on earth would never be enough to repay those who have answered the call!

Anonymous said...

Yes, the VHA amount is larger in states where the cost of living is higher.

In DC it was over 200. month (BAQ was 300. which I sent to Doug for Aaron) and when they lived in the small towns of Texas, VHA was $33. month!

Most of the troops had a part-time job as well as their military job in DC. I didn't, but I didn't have my car there, so I didn't have to carry the high dollar insurance. I didn't have anyone but me to support and I had no bills.

I miss the commissary! :0

And no, you don't do it for the money. I took a cut in pay to go in.