Okay can anyone seriously tell me why Officers are paid 2-4 times morethan an Enlisted person? I know that they have a degree before entering the military but does that really warrant the amount of money they are paid? In my experience it is usually the enlisted personnel that does everything and has more knowledge of thier jobs. Just curious when a 1Lt who pushes papers would make more than a SSgt who's out there fixing fighters :0)
Just curious that's all. And yes, my husband is enlisted but enlisted with a 4 year degree because he wanted to work for a living :0) I'm not complaining about his pay or anything (he's an E-5 sellect). We have one child and although we aren't financially comfortable yet, we do just fine. I've just always been curious about the differences in pay.
2007-09-02 11:15:39 · 19 answers · asked by mustangsally76 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Tina--No kidding about that old housing! We just got "kicked out" of our old house on base because it was built in the 40's and filled with asbestos and roaches. They are tearing down most of the hosuing here. They did move us into brand new housing so I can't complain about my house l :0) I absolutely love it!
2007-09-02 11:23:40 · update #1
I am NOT complaining about my husband's pay. Like I said we do okay on his E-4 salary and he sews on Staff next year. I am just curious about the difference that's all. He's not interested in OCS. He loves his job and wouldn't trade it for the world. .
2007-09-02 11:27:34 · update #2
Well traditionally its always been that way, and the military likes to hold on to tradition.
I think the branch matters too.
I am a commisioned officer in the USAF and I fly c-130's. In the air force, the enlisted dont go to battle, the officers do. Most of the enlisted outside special ops, fix jets and planes, and then officers fly them in harms way. There are also enlisted aircrew that fly on bigger planes like the c-130 and they get paid extra.
If you want more money tell him to become a maintainence officer, that why he can still be around the aircraft mechanic field. I was enlisted, and wasnt satisfied that a NCO has to be lower then a liteunant, so thats why I went and got my commision, and I treat the enlisted how they should be treated, and respect there judgement and use there opinions. Thats what a good officer does.
2007-09-02 11:44:35 · answer #1 · answered by Captain Kid 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Responsibility.
An NCO gives directives. Those are instructions to get orders done.
Officers give orders. That means that its the officer's neck if something goes wrong. That is also why it is different regs in the UCMJ for disobeying an officer's order instead of a NCO's directive.
Officer's are responsible for everything that goes on in that unit. For example, officer's have to write the letters home when someone dies, because they are the ones that make the decesion that allowed it to happen.
The other part is that officer's skill are highly marketable since they are generally younger compared to the NCOs of the same responsibility. So an officer can leave and get a high paying job because they are young and have the management experence. An NCO has some marketability, but since they are generally older, the officers have a big edge in the civilian world.
If you compare, you will see that a Lieutenant generally makes the same amount as a E7. There is getting to be a descripency now since a lot of E7's are getting promoted earlier, before the time in service and a LT were close. That trend was started in the 80's and continues today to even out the same management level.
Also, enlisted have bonuses are re-up where only specialied officers, such as doctors get bonuses. I have seen some bonuses for the right MOS that equal a LTs yearly pay.
2007-09-02 11:28:15 · answer #2 · answered by mnbvcxz52773 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Officer Pay Vs. Enlisted Pay?
Okay can anyone seriously tell me why Officers are paid 2-4 times morethan an Enlisted person? I know that they have a degree before entering the military but does that really warrant the amount of money they are paid? In my experience it is usually the enlisted personnel that does everything and...
2015-08-06 20:59:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I kind of agree with this, but hey officers came in with the 4 year degree so they deserve something more out of it. Yes sometimes, LT's can be pricks because they think they know more than a SSG or a SFC but they are usually put in their place by higher enlisted. It is only when an officer knows that they can get valuable info from NCO's do they really become good officers.
Yes housing could be a bit more fair with the ranks but we have always had nice housing and I can't complain on my end with that part but have had friends who have had horrible housing.
But hey your airforce, you guys have nicer stuff than us army folks. Your deployments aren't as long, your housing is nicer, your guest housing is nicer, your bases are located somewhere populated (us army folks are usually located in the middle of nowhere). And it seems the airforce is more family oriented.
I say if they want more money then they should go through OCS, if not they shouldnt be complaining about how much money they are making. Officers took the time, no matter what degree they have, to do the 4 years of college before joining the service (or did it while they were in College).
2007-09-02 15:53:53 · answer #4 · answered by ckamk1995 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air Force Enlisted Pay
2016-09-29 09:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Upper managment vs. lower level managment
Which one is more important? That can be argued from here to enternity...However, it is officers that run the military ( with the exception that NCO's make it work). Example, would be prior and during WWII enlisted men were pilots. Surprised? The officers made it mandatory that one must hold a degree and the rank of officer to fly somthing a monkey can be trained to do. Is that right? The Army still has warrant officers but they are of the between and hold the best of both worlds...except that you cant become a general. And by the way I'm a E-4 as well.
2007-09-02 12:22:58 · answer #6 · answered by jimbotron 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Officer Pay Army
2016-12-15 18:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in the active army for over 5 yrs and then national guard for another 8 and agree 100. I kind of think you should have to serve at least 4 yrs enlisted before becoming an officer. 2nd Lt are usually pretty cocky little monsters who need to be put in their place a time or two.
The special way officers are treated from day one is what gets me. There are plenty of enlisted soldiers around with degrees.
2007-09-02 11:23:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Officers have a LOT more responsibility on their shoulders.
As an E5 he's maybe responsible for what, four or five people in the workspace, IF he is LPO/Work Center Sup.
an O1 fresh outta OCS/ROTC/The Academy is in charge of dozens or more.
If the fecal matter hits the revolving cooling unit, the Officer can't feign ignorance or a mistake, it's HIS fault, no matter what. Enlisted can get away with saying they weren't rained/told properly.
Officers have to be aware of the Big Picture, not just worrying about fixing a broken piece of equipment quickly.
2007-09-02 12:15:06 · answer #9 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Wow baserunner, you didn't mention paid vacations to Iraq and Afghanistan and that no one is preventing those people from joining if the wanted too. Free college doesn't do you a lot of good if you're barely home to use it.
Anyway, I've always thought it was kind of messed up too. Just because you have a college degree in Greek Mythology (like my CO) doesn't make you a good leader. I think that officers should first have to be enlisted and chosen from there. Just IMHO
2007-09-02 11:23:39 · answer #10 · answered by inTHEgaddadavida 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋