Why doesnt the Government make Reservist pay equal to civilian pay?

Question

I was wondering, why the government doesnt just make it that Reservists who have to take huge pay cuts, when they come to active duties just make it that they will be paid no less then what they made in civilian duty. It would be fair, and you would get alot less hardship. I think the military can afford it, you have a quarter trillion dollar budget.

Answer 1

Because Reserves are reserves until they are called upon.

SSG Schramm
US Army 15 years
OIF 2003
US Army Recruiter 2.5 years
Texas

Answer 2

No, it wouldn't be fair. Just think, if you signed a contract for a civi job to make X amount, you agree to it. Reservists sign a contract to make X amount. Be happy with it. And another point, Active Duty makes close to nothing, so why should it be that a reservists who serves hardly any time get paid more than an active duty who works 80+ hours a week for the military?

Answer 3

I really depends on where a reservist gets activated to.

When I was mobilized in 2005, I was sent to Kuwait. My base pay was not too much, but there was additional pay. Also, people stationed in the Middle East have all their pay tax-free. In my seven months overseas, I netted about $25,000. People of higher ranks (I was only an E-5 at the time) and/or have dependents get much more than that.

Being in the reserves can create some hardships, mainly being away from family. But if you enlist in the reserves, you should fulfill your obligations; if not, don't join.

Answer 4

N O, The US Government should immediately reinstate the DRAFT and ship you and the rest of the anti-military and anti-war civilians to Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and Iran and start showing all of the civilians, what it is to serve in the military for the pay that we get. The next draft that the government has should eliminate all college deferments and any other deferments that they come up with. Everyone will go, regardless of your health or how rich you are. US ARMY(RETIRED) 1958-1979

Answer 5

Because under your system,

A reservist private, might make more than a reservist Captain,

If they were called to active duty.

And why should a reservist Sgt. make more than a active duty Sgt or have the possibility of making more ?

Answer 6

reservists only have to show up one weekend a month in addition to 2 full weeks in the summer. (i believe. don't chew me up if i'm off) not much of a job compared to active. if they get called upon, sure their pay will go up while deployed. but until then, the actual time they spend on duty is nothing compaired to an active duty serviceman. or even a full time employee.

Answer 7

because your pay is based on your rank....i know a guy who got out of the AF and went reserves and works at a civilian job that makes almost $60k a year and hes an E5 in the reserves........another guy thats the same rank could work flipping burgers at mcdonalds for minimum wage.....so when they are on reserve duty they would be doing the same job but my friend would make 5x more than him. they signed a contract, they knew the pay......noone forced them to go. besides.......most active duty dont make the equivalent of what they would make in the civilian world either, my husband does a job where he could make $70-80k a year, yet in the military my family qualifies for public assistance, we dont take advantage of it (its a pride thing) so we struggle to pinch pennies and live paycheck to paycheck.

Answer 8

Thems the Missouri Breaks made very clear to each member. They are all free to decide. Seems you have a good reason to not join.

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 9

you may be the unlucky one, it might just be a pay increase for some
you knew what the pay was when you signed up