He is in Advanced Individual Training right now, but since he joined we have only been getting $950 USD deposited twice monthly. For dependents, he has me (his spouse!) and our daughter, 7 months old. It does not seem that he is getting his Basic Allowance for Housing (is this customary until he arrives at his duty station?)? Is he getting paid for us or just for himself? Our money is really tight and I pinch pennies every chance I get! I cloth diaper and have even stopped eating meat to try to reserve $ for when we have to relocate and so there is more financing to get our infant the things she needs!!! Is anything wrong with pay? IF so will he get back pay? Who should he contact if not? I'm getting very distressed over this! Any and all forms of experience, links, or advice are welcome!
*extra info* He only has AIT until Oct. 23rd. We have over a month before he has to report to his duty station and I don't see how we can afford all expenses!!!
2006-10-02 18:08:06 · 14 answers · asked by .*AnNa*. 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
We're not trying to get gosh darn rich! We only get about $1200 USD a month (what a normal single guy NOT in the military would get paid each month at least working at factory job with only a high school education!). We don't have a vehicle but need to get one before he gets stationed. We have bills just like everyone else and a few debts to pay off. I can't work right now because I have no transportation and I can't get a job where I will make a profit after having to pay for childcare! Please only answer if you understand the situation!
2006-10-02 18:24:10 · update #1
First of all, he's still in AIT. If you're getting that much allotted twice a month, you're doing pretty good. When we got married during AIT and moved to Germany, he only made $700 a month. You don't get BAH based on the number of dependents. It's a flat amount whether you have 1 or 10. His BAH is based on a zip code, which can be found on his LES. Whatever he's getting, is rated on that zip code and the cost to live there. He's probably eating in a chow hall, so he's still not receiving BAS. Once he gets to his duty station, he'll start to receive that. However, that's not to feed the family, just him.
If it doesn't seem like he's receiving the BAH, check his LES. If you don't have a copy of it, have him check it. They might not pay it while in BCT or AIT. They usually don't want to pay you for something you have a chance of not completing. If that's the case, they will reimburse it.
Just keep pinching your pennies. It doesn't get a whole lot better. Then again, being in the Army never has been about money. Good luck!!
2006-10-03 03:08:57 · answer #1 · answered by HEartstrinGs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay. Pay depends on rank. I'm guessing he is no higher than an E3 (since he is still in schooling). Base pay for an E3 is 1178.00 a month. That is 589.00 every 2 weeks. Now since he is married he should also get money for food lets call it 250.00 a month (I can't remember but that is close), and depending on where you live you get money for housing. Where I lived it was 860.00 a month so lets add it all up. That's 2288.00 a month, divided by two and that is1144.00, take out taxes and what not an lets call it 1000. every two weeks. So that 900.00 sounds about right. You only get paid for one dependent. It doesn't matter if there are 10 or you or 2. Same amount. If you have questions he can always talk with his admin department. I understand you have bills, but until he gets some rank it is going to be hard. Good luck. And the military should pay you to move. If it is something they make you do they will either move you or pay for you to do it yourself. Check out the website, it has base pay for all ranks and years of service.
2006-10-06 07:42:47 · answer #2 · answered by fin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you did not specify his rank, which by the pay I assume he is low rank. You also have to consider the deductions that come off your LES if he chose the G.I Bill they'll deduct $100 for 12 months, after that he can use that money to go to school. I'm not too sure how BAH and seperate rations play a part on this or not. I know that they use to pay your BAH according to your zip code. You were not specific as to if you are with him renting an apt or you are back at home, that could also have a play in it as well.
In my last activation I made $1850 every 2 weeks I'm an E6 with 14 yrs in. I kind of lost money when I came off my last active duty deal......but oh well. Also consider that as he goes up in rank and time in servce that will slowly start to change as well. Back in 1993 my take home pay was $800 a month.
You can ask him to have personnel look into his pay and do what they call a pay inquiry, finance will take a look at his pay and make any adjustments if necessary. Now keep in mind that if they find that he is getting too much you might end up looking for a PT job just to supplement his income. Most families do in the military.
Good Luck
2006-10-02 18:32:50 · answer #3 · answered by spanishflyin_tx 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
okies, first off, if he just showed up to AIT, it could be that his BAH rate has changed, and sometimes that can take a few weeks to sort out, but yes, it will be back paid.
Base pay for an E1 under 2 years is $1273.50. take out $100 for the GI Bill and oh, say 27% for taxes, and you are left with right around $850/ month base pay. If he is getting $950 twice a month, then I'd say he's getting his BAH just fine.
Family seperation goes into affect on day 31 of him being away.. and if you went to his basic training raduation, then countdown starts all over.
He needs to speak to finance and make sure that he's getting the correct BAH that is due him. have him set up a read only account for you on mypay(linked below) so that you can see for yourself what he's getting, as they often times do not have easy access during school.
2006-10-03 07:18:42 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I havn't really seen many in depth answers, so I'll try to point you in the right direction. First off your husband is in AIT right now so his amount of years in service is counted as 1, he's probably a private... so he is currently at the bottom of the us military pay chart.... Look this chart up as the only 2 things that will increase his standard pay (before housing and all that extra stuff) is years in service and grade... even a bump up to pfc will increase his pay a bit... mostly it's years in service though.... so first off check out that chart ... the govt puts one out every year... i bet there is one at your husband's AIT unit now somewhere. (www.militarypay.com)
Your basic allowance for housing you should be getting paid even though he is still in a training phase. I remember clearly getting mine.. What you should do first is make sure that all his information is put in correctly..(yes the army makes mistakes)... Don't take it up with his training unit though.. The people you need to talk to are the ones that run all the military pay...(sorry forgot the name of that organization).. Also check his current SGLI (servismans group life insurance) to see how much coverage your family has...If his SGLI is high that could be the reasons that his pay seems low.
IF there is a problem he WILL be backpaid... however don't hold your breath... I waited 4 months to get 255$ the govt didn't pay for my GI bill from the first month it was supposed to be paid.
As far as the penny pinching goes, my suggestion is to keep it up.. Your husband isn't gonna get rich in the military...
Yes If you compare what your bringing in now and probably the next 10 years a civillian sector job will probably pay more(however the military benefits sure are nice)...
If your in an emergency as far as money goes you can take out loans (be very very careful). Many small time loan agencies set up operations right on base to set up young soldiers.. they charge HUGE interest on short term loans ... stay away from those if at all humanly possible...Go to a regular bank instead if you absolutly have to.
Here is one piece of good info I can give you.. Every Military base has some sort of family assistance organization on it.. Find out where yours is and go to them and talk to someone... they are generally very good at helping struggling families out.
2006-10-02 18:53:39 · answer #5 · answered by travis R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should be getting BAH for the time he is in training--depending on where you live. He should also be getting FAS--which is Family Separation Pay ($250). Use the websites I gave you in the email and you can see what exactly is supposed to be going on. If you want I can give you my number so we can talk on the phone about military pay--what you should and shouldn't be getting.
The military will pay you back the amount of what you spend on your travel. You need to make sure you document all gas purchases (if driving), keep airline receipts (if you are traveling by air), and if you stay in a hotel--make sure you keep those receipts. You will end up paying out of pocket but will get the money back within around two pay periods of relocating.
My parents told me it was not a good idea to go with my husband when he first got stationed at our first base. I didn't understand and I went anyway. It was absolutely horrible. I really don't think it's a good idea because not only will your husband be having to figure out what he is doing, he'll have to figure out what your daughter and you will be doing also---I can explain more about my experience later. Anyway--he'll be so busy getting his stuff together for his first duty station you guys being there will add more stress.
As for who he needs to speak with about this--he needs to go to "Finance"--which will help him with the back pay and travel expenses, etc. You can even call Family Support for help and better understanding. Just let me know if you want to talk sometime--I'm here!
Best of Luck!
USAF Dependent for 20 years.
2006-10-03 04:26:06 · answer #6 · answered by .vato. 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That sounds about right. I was in BCT & AIT in 1991, and as a single soldier I was making about $500 a month. I was happy with that. It was the most I had ever made. I can understand your frustration. Soldiers do not get paid enough.
2006-10-03 03:57:10 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Military Service members receive a Basic Allowance where they can choose to live in private sector housing, or privatized housing.
For more information on military compensation and allowance, visit https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/ or contact the Housing and Competitive Sourcing Office at 703-607-3207.
You could talk to the Post Chaplin they can usually get things done and are very helpful to dependents of service men and women.
2006-10-02 19:06:12 · answer #8 · answered by Jo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ma'am, we never get paid enough. The pay is correct. I get paid about 500 dollars on the 1st and 15th. Depending on what rank he is, what rank he will be upon graduating boot, and etc. But, what bills do you have to pay? I have a cell phone, computer, and internet, and I squeeze by. It's just how much we get paid. I suggest kill the cable and sit in the dark. Depending on where you live the BAH varies. You should be getting separation pay, and check to make sure on his LES that you are earning BAH, BAS, Sep Pay, and his regular pay. But it seems to me you're getting enough money to sustain you and your child, he doesn't really need all that much money while he's in boot...but, good luck and hope it all gets resolved...
2006-10-02 22:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by Kamikaze 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it is a real problem, tell him to talk to his instructors. They will probably hook him up w/ a financial management class. Also, they might try to get him a low/no cost loan through the Armed Forces Assistance Funds.
If he takes action to fix the problem early, leadership will look on his responsibility very favorably.
DO NOT go to payday loan sharks!!!!! You will probably hurt his career.
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TSgt Holeman
2006-10-02 18:35:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋