Do soldiers have to pay to be part of the military?

Question

I heard that the military charges soldiers for everything. Food, clothes, supplies, ect. The person I heard this from was in the Navy, but is it the same for any of the US armed forces?

If this is true, how is it possible, or ethical, to CHARGE people to put their lives on the line for our country? It doesn't make sense. Is there a valid reason to not just give our soldiers the supplies they need to protect and serve us? I thought that's where the taxes go....?

Answer 1

The military does not charge for food or supplies. Clothing, etc are paid for by the service members. Also, there is an allowance for clothing that covers uniform replacement and such. Because the cost sometimes exceeds the allowance for uniforms, servicemembers sometimes pay for their own uniforms. Each recruit in each branch of service however is issued a basic set of uniforms and equipment necessary to do the job. There IS a shortage of flak vests and other necessary items in Iraq and some troops do not have those necessary items.

Answer 2

Military members have a weight allowance for any type of move, and if he goes over his weight allowance that extra cost gets passed on to him. So if a soldier has a weight allowance of 7,500 pounds but he has 9,000 pounds worth of stuff to move, he has to pay for the extra 1,500 pounds. That's the most likely explanation. The only other thing that may impact the move is if the soldier was "chaptered," or administratively discharged before the end of his enlistment because of unsatisfactory duty performance or misconduct. When this happens, he usually does not get an honorable discharge, he loses a lot of his military and VA benefits, and he normally only gets enough money to buy a bus ticket home.

Answer 3

Yes you do pay to be in the Military. When you first report for training, you are issued uniforms which do come out of your paycheck in the form of income tax. You receive certain pay and allowances which are to be used towards your meals and uniforms which you are required to pay for after your first initial outfitting. The allowances are not taxable, your pay and other pay such as sea pay, special duty pay etc is taxable and thus you do pay to be in the Military. What do you think taxes are used for when they state the Military budget is at a certain amount? It is paid for with taxes the same as everything else the government pays for.
You also help pay your own salary if where you work is a retail or grocery store, as every time you purchase things there, you are helping to keep your own job. If you work for a convenience store and buy your gas there, you are paying towards your paycheck.

Answer 4

depends on how you want to look at it, many have given you a correct answer yet I have to see it is how you interpret the information. The Chief maybe hit the nail closer than anyone.
For the most part no you don't pay for the stuff, you are issued a set amount of gear, should this gear become unsearchable then you have to replace it. Yes you get a certain amount money to pay for this yet they keep a pretty close eye on how much you get. I recall my 1st set of boots were $15. now them same boots would be $110. You can go out and purchase more uniforms, that comes out of you. We stand inspections IAW what ever your command and branch of service says. I stood more than my fare share.

Answer 5

not true.if you live off post you get a allowance for food and quarters for enlisted members are provided the uniforms and all that go's with the uniform shoes&boots insignia they need at no cost.when they frist enter the service. after that they recive a clothing replacement allowance in ther pay each month or when ever pay day is now.for officers it is somthing else.and if you had to pay for every thing. well the men could do it on the pay they recive it would be a rag/tag army like in the 1700's

Answer 6

eh, sort of true. take your average single Seaman recruit, for instance. he shows up to Great Lakes and is issued a $250 charge card to buy all his necessities.. uniforms, toiletries, his first haircut. etc and so forth. HOWEVER.. he is fed and housed for free.

Now, say he is now at A school. He now gets BAS.. a food allowance, but he is still charged for meals he eats in the Galley.. just like every college student is charged for meals on campus. he will get a replacement allowance for his uniforms, to help defray the cost of replacing them when they wear out. He will also be given housing..or if none is available, or he is married,a Housing allowance to pay for rent.. which is NON TAXABLE. he also gets FREE medical and Dental for as long as he is in the service.

Now say he is in the Fleet and is issued a sidearm. he loses that side arm, darn skippy he needs to replace it, it wasn't his to begin with it was merely given to him to use while on duty. Same with any equipment he is issued.

Answer 7

Not true. The Army gives you a budget every month for food clothing, laundry, etc. And my uncle is a Lt. Commander in the Navy, and he has never had to deal with that

Answer 8

We do have to buy our own uniforms after the initial issue, but if you are enlisted, you get a yearly stipend for that. Officers have to pay out of pocket.

You have to pay for SGLI (life insurance) but that is a very small ammount for the coverage.

You pay into the GI Bill, but you get more back then you put in.

What you do get charged for comes nowhere near what they pay you.

Answer 9

You bet you AZZ they pay! They pay in Blood, Sweat and Tears! but Soldiers don't pay for that other stuff unless they are an Officer, and then they are reimbursed for their expenses. If soldiers outlay any money its because they are given a monthly allowance to pay for those items. Its like this in the USA anyway.

Answer 10

No. I served in the Army. People are given housing, food, uniforrms. Some people buy additional uniforms, special boots, and other supplies, but it is not mandatory.