My best friend's husband is in the military and makes only 19k a year Is this fair?!!?

Question

He has a wife, a daughter , and one on the way. How can our government spend all this money on dumb stuff and not pay our soliders and their families more money? 19,000 a YEAR. I think ppl on welfare get more than that!

Just seems like a rip off. And of course, he wasnt married or had children when he joined.

Answer 1

Unbelievably UNFAIR

Answer 2

No not fair at all because of the job they do. Believe it or not, but a lot of soldiers that are married with children have to draw some form of welfare. Also they receive a basic housing allowance which other soldiers don't receive that are single. But the 19K is just a base pay. Although I think the military deserves more pay than a working civilian, because they are on duty 24hrs 7 days a week.

Answer 3

Becky, there is a big difference in what our taxable income is and out REAL pay. My husband for example has $24k in taxable income and he has been in 17 years and is an E7. His real pay is around $72K with all of his pay and allowances that are not taxable. I am an E5 and the story is the same for me just slightly lower. Civilians get all crazy about OUR pay because all they ever look at is our base pay chart which does not include the other 80% of what we get paid not to even include all the free medical and dental care we receive. Don't be swooned in by your friend or the media with this sob story because it isn't true. I have found most people that are doing poorly in the military are doing so because of stupid financial choices. Have you ever been around a military base? Have you seen the hundreds of $50K cars, they brand new designer clothes, the houses full of Star Wars/NASCAR collectable crap. Personnel in the military are far from poor, many make very poor choices but the only poor people in the military are first year recruits because they lose $100 a month for their contribution to their GI Bill. Don't be a sucker and buy into this stuff because it isn't true.

Answer 4

Only 19k? Sorry but your friend is not telling you the whole story. My source is cited on the bottom (pay table). Lets assume your friend JUST entered the Service. And lets assume he is an E2 (automatic at 6 months in) at 12 months, he should be an E3.

E2 Base Pay = 1458.90 a month or 17,506 a year.
He is married so he is getting Seperate rations (food money) of $261 a month (tax free) ($3132 a year) we are up to $20638 a year. Lets add the FREE quarters he is getting. I'll use BAH based off of Savannah GA thats $1056 a month or $12672 a year (tax free).

We are now up to $33310.

If he lives on post he doesnt get that $12672 for rent so we are back to $20638. BUT he is not paying rent, electricity, or water.

We could figure in the free 100% medical care for him and his family, or the $26 a month Dental plan for his family (dental is 100% free for him). But unfortunately I dont have the most current HMO rates per month he is not paying. (figure $300 a month for a family plan).

How much is child birth and all the accociated appointments for someone who is un-insured or using an HMO? With the Army its free.

He is also getting 30 days PAID TIME OFF per year. Name 1 job that offers that at entry level? (okok i know a FEW high skilled jobs do)

So assuming he is brand new in the Army. He is making $20,638 with free medical, 30 days paid off, rent and utility free. If he has more than 1 year in he is making a lot more than that!

Answer 5

Of course he also gets his health care, housing and several other benefits that most don't get. I'm the last one to say mil pay is up to par but your half-truth here doesn't give the whole picture.

Also, what rank is he? An e-1 usually has very little as far as bills. For someone starting out 19k is plenty if their only responsibility is food, non-uniform clothing, etc.

Answer 6

Well, let see now.

He gets a housing allowance, free medical care, free prescriptions. He has access to commisary which has super cheap prices.

He is guaranteed a raise, 30 days paid vacation a year.

There are many other military benefits for a family man including allotments, etc.

19,000 is fair. When he is promoted, his salary will go up too.

Answer 7

people on welfare dont even get half of that. Where is the money going that is going to the military if its not salary?
As people fight for this country their spouses and children get deported that isn't fair either but it happens. Life isn't fair we all know this. Some just have known it longer then others.

Answer 8

Yes it is fair. I am not in the Military and I make less than 8k a year. The pay in the military is also dependant upon seniority, rank and educational skills and abilities.

Answer 9

Free housing is worth about $800 per month, medical is worth at least $500 per month, that's $1300 per month just for things he would have to pay for on the outside...that raises his pay to $34,600 per yr, approximately.
I have a nephew that has been in the service about 14 yrs now and his wage is now close to $50,000 per yr. Not to shabby, just takes time to get up to a better salary and that's true in civilian life,also.
You have to remember, the benefits add up to a lot and are worth a lot.

Answer 10

I know its hard to provide for a familily on a military pay check, but no one forced him to join. He does get free housing, and full medical benifits for him and his family. If you take that into account, he doesn't have it that bad. But I think a real pay raise, not 2% a year, is long over due.

Answer 11

Every year your friend's husband should get a report that contains all of his benefits including pay. Did your friend include the cost of free housing (if she lives on base), free medical, free dental, free counseling, etc...