Is it true when you join the military you are gaurenteed a free place to live in barracks?

Question

My son just started a new job that pays $13.22 an hour, $2115.20 a month gross. After talking to a Marine Recruiter feels its a better deal as he will make more money monthly by $300. AND he feels since he will get free rent and meals it totally is a better deal. I did some investigating myself. Their website shows 1st 4 months you only make $1178.10, after that up to 2 years as e1 you make $1273.50. The website mentions Basic Housing Allotments, and then I recalled hearing of people having to rent apartments when there was no room left in barracks. And most times the "allotment" was not enough to pay the rent. Since he won't believe me, and I find it hard to believe recruiters are always upfront and honest, I think of them more as salesmen, no offense, I have highest regards for military, but they are known to make statements to get people to sign up. So anyone with 1st hand knowledge want to let me know what has happened to him? He goes for physical tonight, so it may be too late.

I feel it necessary to explain why his choice is bothering me. A.) 4 years ago he said he felt that God had called him to be a missionary to China, has spent last 2 years in bible college. He's home now because I stopped helping pay tuition because he kept getting bad grades & kept loosing jobs. B.) his choice comes after an arguement where I told him I was tired of way he treats me. Rude/disrespectful/arguementative. I told him a year ago I don't get how you say you want to be a missionary but live such an UnChristian like life, it didn't add up. I asked he sit out 1 year to think about life, what he really wanted to do. Now he is telling people he only went to please me & stayed so he would disappoint me. I know military is probably best for him, but I want it to not be joining because he's too lazy to go out and just work and pay rent & take care of himself. He sees this as someone to deal with his stuff for him so he doesn't have to.

Answer 1

He may want to do some more research before he signs on the dotted line.

Answer 2

Joining the military for the money is the wrong reason to join at any time, but especially now, when we're at war.

The military does either house the member in the barracks or pay them a housing allowance that covers a 1 br apt off-base. I've always had a roommate in a 2 or 3 br apt and saved some of my housing allowance. The pay is decent, and the younger, less experienced you are, the closer it is to civilian pay. Although the junior enlisted get paid hardly anything for serving 24-7-365, if you count it as a 40-hr work week, then it's above minimum wage. So basically, any high school graduate, without any job skills can enlist, receive valuable training, and start out making better money than fast food, retail, etc. starting jobs.

If you're checking the pay rates online, consider that it's rare for someone to stay an E-1 for any period of time. In the Air Force, you can start as an E-3 after basic training simply by signing up for 6 years instead of 4. Also, if you have 2 yrs of college, you can sometimes start as an E-3 as well. The Army promotes much faster than the Air Force, and someone can easily make E-5 in one 4 yr enlistment with any luck.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to write me.

Answer 3

Centurion pretty much summed it up. A single Marine will have a room in the barracks. People forced to get housing off base are married couples wanting to live on base when there is no available housing. There is always room in the barracks. It isn't anything fancy, but it is a roof over your head. Though, I hear these days they are nicer than what we had. You get three meals a day. And, they are better than what many people say. The food in the chowhall was actually better than the cafeteria food I got in college. Free medical, free dental, 30 days vacation a year, and a clothing allowance.

Granted, the pay is fairly low, you have to factor in not paying rent, food, any insurance premiums, gas(generally the barracks are within walking distance to where you work), etc.

On base, you can shop at the PX, and there is no sales tax. Also, the prices are lower than what you would pay out in town for the same things. The selection isn't the greatest, but it's give and take.

The GI Bill is a good program. You invest $1200 throughout the first year, and you have it waiting when you get out. I got my degree and have no student loans what so ever to repay. I only worked part time while in college.

So, it is less money in his pocket each month. But, his expenses will also be dratically reduced as well.

Also, I went to college for a year before joining. I did terrible(to the tune of about a 1.4 GPA). When I went back to college after, I graduated with above a 3.0. The military will force him to grow up. I was 19 years old in the Corps, and was in charge of a vehicle with about 3/4 of a million $'s worth of Comm Equipment. There aren't too many companies who will do that. I had no choice but to grow up.

Answer 4

You do have room and board on base. I've never been stationed where you HAD to live off base. BHA may not pay for a place of your own, however most times personel will share a place.

If your son is still an E-1 after 2 years he's lazy! After two years I would expect him to be no less than E-3 and possibly E-4.

I made E-6 in slightly over 4 years, but I am retired Navy. Advancement is usually quicker in the Nav.

Here's some other aspects. Medical and Dental are paid for. Training, even getting college degrees is much better than what most employers will give you.

If your son is joining the military to get rich, it's for the wrong reason. If he's doing it for training, it's good. If he's doing it to gain some maturity, that it will do.

E mail me if you have specific questions.

Answer 5

You're right, he'll be taking a HUGE paycut. He will have a place to live in the barracks, if they run out of room they'll kick out a higher ranking Marine, to make room for the lower ranking Marines. BAH does pay for rent, it pays my mortgage and then some. If someone's BAH isn't covering their rent that's because they are living beyond their means. The "free" food isn't truely free, it get deducted from your pay, let me correct myself, they give you the money and then take it away. So whether you eat no meals, 1 meal or 3 meals a day at the chow hall their taking that money. Nice, huh? I was in and honestly, I loved the Marine Corps, I still do. It wasn't my personal life path, but it was an amazing experience and I met some really good people. If he has any questions or you have any more questions feel free to contact me, I'm no expert but I did go through the experience. Just started reading some of the above answers let me straighten a few things here. He will get free dental, however, if he gets married or has children, he has to pay for their dental, it's a fee every month, it was about $25 but I think it has gone up, AND that dental plan covers only the basic like checkups and cleanings, anything more than that and you have to pay a percentage depending on your rank out of pocket. The second thing I'd like to clear up, most barracks aren't within walking distance of where you work. At Lejeune, depending on where your barracks are it's a 6 mi+ drive just to get off base. So, yes you do have to put out money for gas, really, no savings in this aspect.

Answer 6

There are many questions here which need answered. First of all, if it isn't on his contract, it doesn't matter. That is, when he goes to join, he'll be taken into a room, he'll sit down with someone (usually an officer) and that is where they decide 100% what his job will be, what incentives he recieves, etc. The best bet for you is to call other recruiters and ask them. The money he recieves depends on his rank. Considering that he is joining the Marines, that isn't a lot. Marines serve their country to serve their country, not for incentives or money. Personally, I like the Army. If you'll allow me a small comparison, you said he went to two years of bible college. If that school was accredited, he could start as an E-2 in the Army or Navy. People shouldn't join the military to have lower housing costs. Secondly (I apologize if I bounce around a bit) he would make more, $300 a month more by your own admission. That don't sound like a lot. What else does he get? The GI Bill ($23000 or $72000 for school.) That's great. Well, with his monthly pay, it will increase every year. The allotment is meant for active duty personell who live off-post (on their own.) Through training and his schooling (where he'll learn his craft) he will have housing and food, and quite a bit of money because, as my fiancee learned, while the military makes below the poverty rate, they don't get to spend as much. Most posts have on-base housing as well, with tax-free shopping, and the housing allotment is tax-free as well.
A short interjection: I was in your son's same position. In high school, I felt a calling for a mission to China. After that phase of my life (in some ways, that carrer is far more dangerous than the Marines,) I was also in the MCJROTC program at my high school. My idea was to prepare for several different options when I graduated. At the time, I considered music, Marines, or networking. I eventually chose music and now am in my second year of college for it. My fiancee joined the Army and after researching it a lot, I will also be joining the Army. After I get my B. Music, I'll transfer, get a B. Biology and go to med school. Oh, the military will pay your way through med school, 100%, no matter where you go!
The point being, I know where your son is. What it seems like you wish to do is convince him not to join the military. Indeed, many parents are like this. My fiancee's parents were both Army drill seargents and told me at one time that they were scared. Afterall, their daughter is joining an organization which could possibly lead to her death. But, they recognized early on that in order for her to be independent, they had to let her be independent. My full, whole hearted advice, is don't talk to him to change his mind; that would only result in a wall between you and him. Support his decisions, and talk to him about it. Be more like a second mind for him so he doesn't miss anything. For example, you could go with him to his recruiter and ask your questions, and others that for one reason or another, he doesn't ask. If you play an active, supportive role in his life, you might just have an active, supportive relationship. The Marines isn't about the money. The Marines are about faith, heart, honor, and heritage. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Answer 7

Yes it's true. They do give you free meals, but I believe it's only 3 meals a day, you have to pay for the others... unless you cheat the system (my husband did that a few times ;) and go to another chow hall right after. There's plenty of room at the barracks in Camp Pendleton, there are so many units always leaving for deployment, or coming back, but a lot of the rooms are empty.
Just warn him about businesses that focus on military outside the base. That's why my husband drove his friends farther than Oceanside CA to go buy a car ;) My husband had one roommate at the barracks (before we got married) and they told him to move out once we got married, then he started getting BAH (basic allowance for housing) which was about $1200/mo in Camp Pendleton and we found an apartment for $800/mo. E-1 pay isn't much, it's like 500$ every two weeks. So tell him to work hard so he can get promoted and to be a motivated Marine... like my hubby! He started out as an E-1 in boot camp and has been MERITORIOUS promoted a few times in 1 year.

Answer 8

When you enlist you are guaranteed a free place to reside, free medical coverage, free education (GI Bill), and all the free food you can eat (chow halls are great). Shopping at the BX/PX and commisary are nice too. Just a few perks of being in the military. But, the pay is very low unless you graduate from college and become an officer. Then the pay is much better but still lower than the national average.

Just a note, if you want your son to still have a life and get an education... stay away from the Marine Corps. Instead, have your son join the Air Force or Navy. Although the entrance requirements are much higher, the Air Force and Navy offer a better life and treat their enlistees like people rather than the robotic, insane, grunts the Corps want them to be.

FYI - In regards to your son's Christian life, there are numerous ministry opportunities in the military. They offer chapel services all throughout the week. Aside from serving on several ministries in the local area where I was stationed, I also attended a seminary for 2 years.

Answer 9

No it isn't to late, until he has actually gone to the physical and signed up for a job. But as far as the housing, pay ect....Your son will probably not stay an E-1 long...usually E-2 is picked up within 6 months. As far as barracks and things of that sort, he will be given barracks for basic training, and then his job training (Called AIT for Army no clue what its calling for Marines) After completeing both, he will go to his duty station. Genereally only E-5 and above live off post, unless married, so if he is single he should be given barracks. As for basic housing allowances should barracks be to full (i don't think this will happen though) usually it is enough to cover the rent and some of the utilities but not always enough to cover 100%. His pay will be low for the first few months he is in, but since he will be in training, he likely will spend very very little, and should aquire a small savings to help him once he is stationed somewhere to get started if he needs to go off post, but i doubt he will need to. Usually lower enlisteds are taken care of with barracks provided. Good luck to your soon if he decides to choose the military.

Answer 10

If you call a bunk bed in a room with 60 - 70 other guys "a free place to live" - then the answer is yes. Women typically get rooms and do not have to live in squad bays. But after boot camp you will always have access to BEQ's or Bachelor Enlisted quarters. Even if you get divorced you can get a room on base in your unit's assigned area.

The recruiter's job is to get you to sign up and make it sound great. The pay cannot be compared to a civillian job as military duty is 24x7x365 (with 30 days vacation) each year. No sick leave, no personal days but "liberty" or time off at the commander's discretion.

Your son will learn new skills, serve the country and have benefits with will follow him for the rest of his life. Nobody will ever forget that Lee Harvey Oswald was a "Marine" nor will we ever forget John Glenn was a "Marine". The name sticks mostly as a positive job reference to any corporate recruiter as most Marines resemble John Glenn and the like.

Good luck to your son - support his decision - it's his decision.

God Bless & Semper Fi!

Answer 11

Pretty much teh same as the other people, when I signed up, I was courious to BHA and medical coverage, life in the Marines isn't so bad, esp if you're going to college, like I am, and a batchlor, about 15k a sesmester, about 1.5 a month BAH straight into my pocket (i live at home SELU is right downt eh road from my folks house) and i know my friends that are doing a 90 day split reservist program, they get GI for 15k and a 4k kicker for the PLC program, and I'm not sure if he lives on base or not...