Military Pay and Compensations

I read this today, I am sick of our military personal being payed miniscule amounts of pay, for what they have to do.
"Military service members will receive a 1 percent pay increase next year. But there's a pay freeze for generals and flag officers. The bill also ends a five percent discount on tobacco and tobacco-related products sold at military exchanges". A 1% pay raise is a slap in the face of our military personal. Now I know I maybe in a small group of individuals who think that.

a reply to: Ceeker63

Many families of American soldiers qualify for Food Stamps because of the low pay.

Meantime.........A guy who can throw a ball through a hoop is driving a Ferrari, owns a 10 bedroom mansion and has a posse of 20 to follow him around and keep telling him what a great guy he is.
Pop stars get carried like a baby when they're too tired to walk on their own.

Are we screwed up or what.

originally posted by: Ceeker63
I read this today, I am sick of our military personal being payed miniscule amounts of pay, for what they have to do.

What is it that they actually have to do in these days?

Seems to me that war is a bit different. If the pay is so terrible, most will just quit and join a PMC. Don't worry man, people will still get paid to kill other people, one way or another.

You're definitely not the only one who thinks this is outrageously wrong, but it is also definitely the en vogue thing these days to hate the troops.

As said above, there are many military families who live on a pittance for what these guys and girls are often called upon to do, and the sacrifices they make. What other jobs expect to call on you day or night with expectations that you will gladly answer that call and maybe even forfeit your life in doing so? How many other jobs have a parent who sometimes has a child that they don't even get to meet until they are over a year old?

The list could go on and on but the point is... The pay is nowhere near enough for the job they are expected to do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I've often also said that programs like The Wounded Warriors Project shouldn't have to exist either. A soldier should never have to worry about anything if they have served their country. All needs should be met by their employer regardless of what those needs may be during and after their employment.

The way the troops are treated is beyond deplorable IMO. When war finally reaches our shore (and it will) maybe folks will take a different view on it?? Who knows...

originally posted by: eXia7

originally posted by: Ceeker63
I read this today, I am sick of our military personal being payed miniscule amounts of pay, for what they have to do.

What is it that they actually have to do in these days?

Seems to me that war is a bit different. If the pay is so terrible, most will just quit and join a PMC. Don't worry man, people will still get paid to kill other people, one way or another.

Most don't qualify to join a PMC. And let's be honest, since you threw PMC's out there and all, a PMC can make six figures in a 6 month contract. To do the same thing a serviceman does. So....why is it $1500 a month is acceptable pay for one guy (which works out to about $9.66 an hour, provided he only works 160 in a month), but meanwhile people are screaming that the guy on the fry machine at McDonald's should make $2400 a month ($15 an hour)?

we value celebrities, not people that...do stuff.
Just look at the first responders, most left to die until not too long ago.
I don't have much interest for military people, it's a job, don't like it get a new one, BUT they are out there working for government greed (don't anyone give me that "fight for freedom" bull, no matter their success america especially has had a drastic reduction in liberty and the trend ain't chaining) so the fact that the very government that sends you out there to get a good dose of shell shock so it can get richer cares so little about you is just wrong.
Goes to show you what the value of an american life really is.
Meantime kim kardashian made about 200 million from her android game.

originally posted by: Shamrock6

originally posted by: eXia7

originally posted by: Ceeker63
I read this today, I am sick of our military personal being payed miniscule amounts of pay, for what they have to do.

What is it that they actually have to do in these days?

Seems to me that war is a bit different. If the pay is so terrible, most will just quit and join a PMC. Don't worry man, people will still get paid to kill other people, one way or another.

Most don't qualify to join a PMC. And let's be honest, since you threw PMC's out there and all, a PMC can make six figures in a 6 month contract. To do the same thing a serviceman does. So....why is it $1500 a month is acceptable pay for one guy (which works out to about $9.66 an hour, provided he only works 160 in a month), but meanwhile people are screaming that the guy on the fry machine at McDonald's should make $2400 a month ($15 an hour)?

I guess PMC's make so much because they are disposable, they aren't baggage to the system.

Besides, if people are so concerned about pay, then perhaps once they cash in on their free education, they leave the military and find a suitable job?

We aren't embattled in World War III right now, so why would anybody even join the military? I find it funny that people complain that military is paid to kill 3rd world brown people, then turn around and complain because they aren't being paid enough to kill 3rd world brown people.

a reply to: eXia7 What they do is follow orders. If the President tells them the have to go here or there they go. Sure it sounds like a police force. But If America did not have a military, what do you think would happen? Try living out in the desert for a couple years with a constant threat of loosing their lives. It is not safe. Or living on a Navy ship out in the middle of the ocean for 9-12 months at a time, working 12 hours on and 12 hours off around the clock without getting home. The military does a lot for the miniscule amount of money they are paided. Career military people stay in because they want to give back to a country that they believe is a good place to call home. Sure there are individuals that do 4 years and get out. That is OK. There are many that are lifer's, that is OK as well. But if you compare what they make to say security forces that are a private company their pay is miniscule, or to other security branches of the government their pay is small.
Oh not all military have to to do combat. I spent 22 years in the Coast Guard and never had to shot a single soul.

a reply to: eXia7

Nah. PMCs are paid because of their training and capabilities. That's sort of how mercenary work has operated since like....forever.

But you sound like you're just bitter about the benefits, so I guess that explains that.

originally posted by: Shamrock6
a reply to: eXia7

Nah. PMCs are paid because of their training and capabilities. That's sort of how mercenary work has operated since like....forever.

But you sound like you're just bitter about the benefits, so I guess that explains that.

No, I believe you are projecting something onto me that isn't true. That seems to be the typical response to the opposing view.

originally posted by: Ceeker63
a reply to: eXia7 What they do is follow orders. If the President tells them the have to go here or there they go. Sure it sounds like a police force. But If America did not have a military, what do you think would happen?

"Following Orders" A lot of people just follow orders, and look where that has brought us today.

Never once have I ever said we shouldn't have a military force. What we don't need is a group of wealthy politicians trying to play the latest version of battlefield in real life. We aren't being attacked, so why are we occupying so many places? For strategic control.

This isn't your grand pappy's military here.

originally posted by: Shamrock6
a reply to: eXia7

But you sound like you're just bitter about the benefits, so I guess that explains that.

well he wouldnt be the only one
find something for them to do instead of just sending them to some god forsaken desert to play cowboys and indians
maybe then people wouldnt be so bitter and it would become more clear people are actually joining the military to help people rather than just rattle off some lead at a foreigner while pulling a paycheck benefits higher than anything else youre qualified to do (ie flip burgers or scrub toilets)

if they didnt know what they were getting into when they signed up (deluded about what the job actually entails ie believing theyre spreading freedom and democracy while protecting america and its way of life....which is certainly not the case most of the time)
tough cookies
should have looked into that a little before signing your life away

(and # the PMCs)

The military Industrial complex is driving the unjust wars, not the soldiers. But like any other business, the employees are secondary to the bottom line. Factories for war see only expendable assets, doesn't matter if they are bullets or bodies.

The less a tool costs the better the profit margin, even if that tool is a person. Proof of that is the ridiculous pay and this insulting pay raise.

a reply to: eXia7

not projecting anything. you sound somewhat bitter and jaded. I stated as much. if it's not the case, it's not the case. still how it sounded

I've often wonder about how benefits could be cut, and yet still satisfy the service member and even proposed this here on ATS quite awhile back.

www.military.com...

Even so, the firm’s research shows a high level of interest among troops or their families in getting smaller monthly checks of about a quarter of the average of their three highest years of compensation, in addition to a lump-sum “transition” payment of about three years of basic pay, according to the release. Similarly, many like the idea of getting compensation earlier in their careers, such as a Thrift Savings Plan account and retention incentive payment halfway through their careers, it states.

I think it should be a option at least. The money would be pumped back into the economy relatively quickly. And it would possibly be a boon to small business.

I don't know if I would take it myself, but I would think long and hard about it.

Such a program would not affect the VA by the way, so medical and disability payments would still be there. I have yet to meet a retiree that doesn't receive at least 10% disability. Living the military life for 20 plus years takes its toll on the body after all.

originally posted by: intrptr
The military Industrial complex is driving the unjust wars, not the soldiers. But like any other business, the employees are secondary to the bottom line. Factories for war see only expendable assets, doesn't matter if they are bullets or bodies.

The less a tool costs the better the profit margin, even if that tool is a person. Proof of that is the ridiculous pay and this insulting pay raise.

I've used that line of reasoning with plenty of Soldiers who seem to think that the Army was out gunning for them personally. They are a number that can be replaced fairly easily. Of course, no one wants to hear that particular hard truth. Same goes for employees of private companies as well.

It should be pointed out that they are volunteers. Nobody is forcing them to join. Sucks for the career soldiers though.
I'm not saying that they should not be paid better, only that it is not forced labor.
My dad was in Korea in 1952. I think he told me his combat pay was $50 a month. He was in the field for a month straight, so that was 7 cents an hour. Kinda comical but true.
Maybe politicians should receive the same pay during times of war.

originally posted by: Ceeker63
I read this today, I am sick of our military personal being payed miniscule amounts of pay, for what they have to do.
"Military service members will receive a 1 percent pay increase next year. But there's a pay freeze for generals and flag officers. The bill also ends a five percent discount on tobacco and tobacco-related products sold at military exchanges". A 1% pay raise is a slap in the face of our military personal. Now I know I maybe in a small group of individuals who think that.

Don't forget about BAS (Food) and BAH (Housing) allowances which are not taxable. Base pay may seem low but we get other allowances that make up for it along with the added tax benefits.

Guard pay is great in Connecticut at least. I'm a medic and as an E5 with 7 years I would pull in $66,000 a year stateside active duty. Overseas we get additional tax benefits and other allowances.

What does hurt military pay is when you marry another member then you lose some of those allowances. Lower enlisted pay without dependents is also not great but they jump to E4 quickly.

originally posted by: Shamrock6
a reply to: eXia7

not projecting anything. you sound somewhat bitter and jaded. I stated as much. if it's not the case, it's not the case. still how it sounded

No, I'm just a realist.

Just callin' it how I see it.

originally posted by: eXia7

originally posted by: Shamrock6
a reply to: eXia7

Nah. PMCs are paid because of their training and capabilities. That's sort of how mercenary work has operated since like....forever.

But you sound like you're just bitter about the benefits, so I guess that explains that.

No, I believe you are projecting something onto me that isn't true. That seems to be the typical response to the opposing view.

Your portraying something onto the military personnel that isn't true. So that just makes you a hypocrite...have a nice day sir!