Latest Military Pay Chart With Proposed annual Raise

This content has moved. See this article for the latest Military Pay Raise and Charts.

Thanks,

Andy

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[Updated Jan 2011] 1.4% Military pay raise in 2011 confirmed. The President and Congress have approved a 1.4% pay rise for our armed forces members (Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard) with additional compensation or incentives for service members to be made via one time special payments.

The initial 1.9% pay raise proposal was quashed in light of voter backlash on excessive government spending and ballooning federal deficits.

The 1.9% raise would cost $1.4 billion, $377 million more than a 1.4% hike, according to the CBO. Shown below are the 2011 military pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) that are effective from January 1st 2011. The first table is for Military staff with less than 20 yrs experience. The second is for those with over 20 years experience.

2011 Military Pay Charts For Less than 20 yrs Experience
2011 Military Pay Charts For Greater than 20 yrs Experience

Notes for the above tables

  1. Basic pay for an O-7 to O-10 is limited by Level II of the Executive Schedule which is $14,975.10. Basic pay for O-6 and below is limited by Level V of the Executive Schedule  which is $12,141.60.
  2. While serving as Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff/Vice Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff, Chief of Navy Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Army/Air Force Chief of Staff, Commander of a unified or specified combatant command, basic pay is $20,263.50. (See note 1 above).

  3. Applicable to O-1 to O-3 with at least 4 years and 1 day of active duty or more than 1460 points as a warrant and/or enlisted member. See Department of Defense Financial Management Regulations for more detailed explanation on who is eligible for this special basic pay rate.

  4. For the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Chief Master Sergeant of the AF, Sergeant Major of the Army or Marine Corps or Senior Enlisted Advisor of the JCS, basic pay is $7,489.80. Combat Zone Tax Exclusion for O-1 and above is based on this basic pay rate plus Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay which is $225.00.

  5. Applicable to E-1 with 4 months or more of active duty. Basic pay for an E-1 with less than 4 months of active duty is $1,357.20.

  6. Basic pay rate for Academy Cadets/Midshipmen and ROTC members/applicants is $974.40.

Military basic pay is subject to federal income taxes, unless earned in a designated combat zone. Whether or not basic pay is subject to state income taxes depends on the laws of the state which the military member claims as his/her legal residence. Military Basic Pay is dependent upon pay grade (rank) and years of military service. For more pay details and allowances see this DFAS listing for 2010 rates and this one for 2011 rates


[Update Oct 2010] 1.4% v s 1.9% Military Pay Rise in 2011? That’s the question in Congress, with both options of the 2011 military base pay raises being considered. The President has recommended an across the board increase of 1.4% in military base pay, but the House (via H.R. 5136) approved a raise of 1.9% (see update below) earlier this year. The Senate has not yet formally voted on the 2011 military pay legislation.

But in a blow to the higher pay raise (1.9%) option for our armed forces members (Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard) the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee has recommended the 1.4% pay rise option with additional compensation or incentives for service members to be made via one time special payments.

House members still remain committed to the 1.9%, but will soon have to reach some consensus with the Senate and President who only want a 1.4% pay rise as they look to cut government costs in light of voter backlash on excessive government spending and ballooning federal deficits. The 1.9% raise would cost $1.4 billion, $377 million more than a 1.4% hike, according to the CBO.  [SEE UPDATED TABLES IN LATEST UPDATE ABOVE]

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54 thoughts on “Latest Military Pay Chart With Proposed annual Raise”

  1. Mark, Those of us who have decided to Defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemys, foreign and domestic, have done so not because we all had to or for the money. We do it for the same reasons you drive your lil 18 wheeler around, because we love our jobs. Not say ALL of us do but what I am saying is that you’re being rather unpatriotic by telling us we should not be over fighting terrorism. Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten why we’re over there? or did you ever even know? Who are you to say there are NO countries on a planet of over 200 + countries that are in some way planning on coming over here and starting a fight of some sort. I do believe someone already tried that just over ten years ago. You may remember that date, September 11th, 2001. That’s the day that I decided to join. Now, it wasn’t easy for me because I have had TWO major heart surjeries so you can damn well bet that I am sure as hell proud to stand where I am and go where I’ve been. Just last year, I went to Iraq, I made it back, and if called upon to go over there again, I wouldn’t even hesitate so before you go saying somethin like “come home and get a job that benefits our economy”, maybe you should think about others, why we do what we do and how we help you keep your damn job safer.

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  2. I knew many would be unhappy with my post, so be it. I posted my thoughts. I did not lie about my history of military service although, many may assume that, Lilbubugger stated” First off you did not get BAH because you lived on base, for free” read what I wrote “I did not get BAH. I lived on base and did well.” I am not attacking anyone, I know why I did not get BAH. Seargent Major Fox, Sir I commend you on your 28 years of service to our Country, But, sir your comment ” Its nice of you to think you have “earned” the right to speak up and say that a Pay Freeze on the Military is not out of order. Really? How did you earn that right sir? Were you one of those 9 to 5 types back in the 80′s?” I raised my right hand right after the barracks has bombed in Beruit. I joined the Corps, and served my country. So YES I earned that right, does it matter where, when or how I served? I served sir. And remember each time you raised your right hand to protect and defend the constitution with each reenlistment, YOU and millions before you have given me and everyone the right to speak up. Your assumptions based on a post, seem wide and biased about me, I have not attacked you, as you have I. You assume any HS grad that doesn’t join the military, flips burgers, plays games and smokes weed. What about EMT’s, young mechanics, tool shop workers, truck drivers, etc. They have too trained and studied to be productive citizens, either by choice, or maybe just maybe they were not able to have the honor to serve our nation, due to a physical or medical limitation. You have assumed this much. I did my time, a long time ago yes. I will not apologize for not having served when I did yes the 80’s,as did you, I did try to rejoin the military as a Registered Nurse a few years ago but a small cataract ended that option. I digress, My original point, the Military pay scale, your a E-9 pay as you stated should be $6215 a month, $74500 a year, I understand you are a SNCO, with many responsibilities. That sir is alot of money. I pointed to the combat pay as woefully low, I had no feed back on that, combat troops should get a extraordinarily high increase for their duties while in hazardous duty. BUT the forces that are 9-5 as you say…and yes you know they exist today in the military, the combat support roles are numerically higher than combat troops, at almost 3 to 1. Can we justify our country going broke. Everyone in goverment needs financial belt tightening. I am a federal employee and have taken my 2 year pay freeze with the thought, “This is what the country needs, then I can bear it.” Don’t attack me sir, and make accusations, assume and try to belittle me. I stated my thoughts without intent of insulting anyone. Your comments “When your old and heavy and resenting the fact that you are in the twilight of a mediocre life you dont need to get negative with those who defend your freedoms to speak ignorance and nonsense” are the negative comments about one who defended our freedoms as well. And sir yes, I have the privilege of being able to walk into a VFW.

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  3. I drive a truck for a living. It’s verifiably one of the most dangerous and vital jobs in America. Almost everything you own was delivered by a truck-driver. So in a way, I am putting my life on the line for this country. However, I’m not a martyr. I chose this profession. I only earn 58k because almost anyone can hold a steering wheel for a living. The same goes for soldiers. Almost anyone can become a soldier. Supply & demand is a cruel mistress.

    I don’t have a family because it’s not economically feasible on my current income. 58k is not a lot of money on it’s own, much less with a family. Adding children to the equation would jeopardize my finances. Why are some soldiers having children when they can’t afford the ensuing expenses? What happened to the Republican ideology of not funding those who make bad choices? Does that not apply to those in the military?

    No one is protecting my freedom of speech. Contrary to popular belief, my freedoms aren’t protected because American soldiers are shooting brown people in the Middle East. My freedoms are protected by a piece of paper. No one is planning to invade the U.S., overthrow our government, and destroy that piece of paper. Even if a terrorist organization was planning on overthrowing our government, they would have to deal with our 300+ million citizens. Many of which are armed, mind you.

    I’m actually not in debt. I have a great credit score, and plenty of savings. The last paragraph in my first post was sarcasm meant to expose Republican hypocrisy. In all honesty, I don’t mind the fact that my tax dollars are used to pay the troops. I am just tired of the Republican hypocrisy when it comes to wealth redistribution. Bashing school teachers and public sector employees because they “make too much money off the taxpayers dime”, while supporting pay increases for our military.

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    • And where did you go to college. You definately have your head up your ass if you feel that because someone’s family income should keep them from a proper education. And if you feel that you are in the same league as those that fight for you, you sir are sadly mistaken. Is love to see you try to get people to stop applying for grants to go to college. You are ignorant and foolish. And not worth the time of those hardworking Americans you are so concerned about. Sorry you didn’t get good grades in school so your stuck being a truck driver.

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      • I didn’t go to college. Also, I don’t believe that someone shouldn’t be able to attend college because of their families level of income. I was using satire to show the hypocrisy of the Republicans. Democrats are labeled as lazy socialists by Republicans because they want more equitable opportunities. Yet the Republicans do the same thing and can’t see the irony.

        Let’s be clear on one thing: they are not fighting for me at this point in time. No nation is planning on invading the United States. They are fighting domestic terrorism in foreign countries. These terrorists represent a tiny fraction of the citizens in Afghanistan and Iraq. They lack the numbers to come over here and overthrow our government. Our interventional foreign policy has created a blowback effect on the U.S. . I am actually less safe because of our military presence throughout the world.

        Thousands of truck drivers die every year. In 2010, about 470 soldiers died in combat. The rest were killed in non-combat related accidents and suicides. So in 2010, according to those numbers, my job was much more dangerous. Truck drivers also help keep the economy moving. A soldier who is 4000 miles away is not helping the economy. Our country is broke. Come home and get a job that will benefit your own country.

        As for my grades in school, I don’t think a 3.8 gpa is that horrible. It’s not perfect, either, I’ll give you that much. Please stop with the immature ad-hominem attacks. They don’t accomplish anything. I like being a truck driver. I am far from being stuck. I had every opportunity to attend college. As a matter of fact, I’m the only one in my family who did not go to college. My parents were somewhat disappointed, but I don’t care because I love what I do.

        For the record: I am pro-military and pro-general welfare. I am just tired of the hypocrisy when it comes these matters.

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    • Ah young Master Mark, you best check your zipper, your liberal ideology and ignorance is shinning. Where to start ….. first, while driving 24/7 may have it’s dangers, it comes no where near the danger of serving in the military, dream on Peter Pan. To quote you, “almost anyone can hold a steering wheel for a living”, you are incorrect in saying almost anyone can become a soldier. Perhaps when the draft was inforced (this may have been before your time) that may have been true but since the draft was discontinued and the military services became voluntary, they’ve become more selective, require a bit more intellegence and you most definitely must be able to do more than hold a steering wheel.

      Let’s move to a 2nd point, it is possible to raise and support a family on 58K and, less even … I speak from experience. I suggest that statement is just an excuse to attempt to justify what is actually a choice and relational situation that is based on self centeredness rather than economics.

      Let’s move on to the dribble about the protection of freedom, the reducing of the Constitution to “a piece of paper” and the insinuation that our military is unnecessary because “No one is planning to invade the U.S., overthrow our government, and destroy that piece of paper. Even if a terrorist organization was planning on overthrowing our government, they would have to deal with our 300+ million citizens. Many of which are armed, mind you”. Though you are attempting to sound cerebral, you are infact exposing yourself as terribly unappreciative and ignorant of history, foreign politics, socio-political relationships, other cultures (not the American versions of multiple cultures mind you, but the actual countries and peoples that live outside of the US) and so much more. More response to that is not worth it.

      Republican Hypocrasy …. you stated proudly ” liberals who use emotional logic” …… now that I’ve stopped laughing at that remark, I’m just going to say that the sheer stupidity of that phrase, stated so proudly …… well, that just really says it all and states more about you than you have the intellegence to imagine. …… Economically, taxpayers paying the military personnel, and by extention their babies, people doing a job, one with a contract and the likelyhood of danger even in training, that requires sacrifice and service of not only the personnel but their families ….. so completely different than funding people with no jobs and multiple babies with multiple baby daddies who have no jobs but just keep making more babies and pay no support. Bashing teachers? No one has “bashed” teachers. If some of the welfare programs and government “tit” programs were restructured or removed, and as was mentioned elsewhere the executive office and congressional pay rethought, perhaps teachers pay and public sector employees pay wouldn’t need to be mentioned except as the usual liberal focus cry. Re-Distribution of wealth ….. Perhaps you should give college a try so you can take a few courses in economics before pretending to be such an expert.

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      • Well, I won’t continue the argument over which job is more dangerous. Clearly we would always knock heads. I provided you with some numbers. That’s all I can do. Some years it’s more dangerous to be a solider, and other years it’s more dangerous to drive a truck. I agree with you that the military has become a *bit* more selective over the years. Almost every profession has become more selective over the years, even the transportation industry. Let’s also not forget that only about 20% of soldiers will ever see combat. A soldier dodging bullets in the sandbox and a soldier chilling on a base in Wurzburg, Germany can’t be categorized as the same.

        What is self-centered about not wanting to add to our massive, global population? More people means fewer resources. Personally, I think it’s more self-centered to have children. Usually there seems to be a hidden agenda with parents, such as wanting someone to care for them in their old age, or a secondary retirement plan. Just because I can afford it doesn’t mean I should have children. I can also afford to buy a car that is above my means, but that doesn’t mean I should.

        Not in one post have I stated that our military was unnecessary. Every nation needs a line of defense. But for almost 200 years, our line of defense has been anything *but* defense. The U.S. has not been invaded since 1812. Pearl Harbor didn’t count because Hawaii was not a state in 1941. The 2 World Wars and Crimean war were fought in Europe. Our technological advancements over the last half-century have kept enemies at bay, not our standing forces. You obviously have great deal of knowledge in your head. You have taken every opportunity to avoid educating me. Instead you have taken subtle jabs at me under the guise of witty banter. Please, educate me. I am always willing to learn.

        We are doing much more than just funding their paychecks. Here are just a few fringe benefits that are not mentioned anywhere the Constitution : GI Bill, paid for service, free housing, Free food, free clothing, free medical/dental, free eyeglasses, free world travel (you have to volunteer for combat if you are in the regular army), tax free shopping, no driver’s license costs since you can drive on a military ID, 10% discounts at every corporate store in America if you flash a military ID, employers favor military servicemen over non-military civilians for employment because of the tax rebates, pension based on your highest rank held, not rank at time of retirement (so 6 months in Alaska turns a 29.5 year SGT pension into a Major’s pension that they collect while still working in civilian life)(Average retirement age is 38 years old for 20 years of service), 10,000 Charities will help you find employment, housing, a free car, medical equipment, free money, help you through the red tape of filing for disability, SSI, etc., ex-military gets 5-10 points on their tests for civil service jobs at places like all government jobs, post office, DoD, DoJ, SEC, FDIC, etc, etc, etc..(so a civilian and a military soldier both score a 100 on the test, the soldier will get the job from the extra 5-10 points). I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

        My argument about emotional logic wasn’t about welfare. It was about Hypocritical , hard-working Americans who complain about paying for other hard-working Americans medical care. Yet they don’t seem to mind tossing a nice chunk of their paycheck to fund the health care costs of hard-working Americans who just so happen to be in the military. It seems as if they are for some hard-working Americans, but are completely against others. Thus, the hypocrisy. Who’s to say who works harder?

        I agree that we need welfare reform. Women should not be allowed to have anymore children once they start receiving benefits. We also must remember that a few bad apples will always ruin it for the rest. Welfare does actually help people. I see you suggested that we could pay the teachers more by cutting tit programs. I would be completely on board with that suggestion, so long as defense spending was also on your list. Impasse.

        Finally, thanks for another cheap ad-hominem shot at the fact that I didn’t go to college. I’d say I’m doing quite well after only 2 years in this profession. I’ve also yet to hit the salary ceiling for my current job. It seems that your entire post was an cheap insinuation about my lack of a college education. But nowhere in your post did you combat my lack of education with your advanced education. Once again, I’m all for learning. I read all the time. Educate me.

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        • You seem to miss many points, Hawaii was am attack on America, because it directly effected the lives of Americans as well as crippling our military at a time when we actually chose to stay out. It forced our hand. I am college educated, and I am currently continuing my studies.
          Sorry to inform you but you did comment how we didn’t need the military when you said there were 300+ million Americans many of which with guns. You are correct, there are 300+ Americans, that census includes children and ederly as well as those physically or mentally incapable of fighting. So your numbers are a little stunted. You seem very one sided in your logic.
          Looking at a year to year comparison of the jobs is a small picture of the situation. Looking at the overall picture is more of a comparison. With your logic, some years its more dangerous to work on electrical wires than to be a police officer, but over all more police have lost their lives doing their jobs.
          I have a view of the world you never will because I decided a hand held education of economic and political knowledge wasn’t always best. I take what is said from Washington with a grain of salt. I do research, I study the situation and base my decisions on the over all picture, not just the one sided view that someone told me. That sir, can not be taught. I can’t tell you that, you have to do it yourself. Also I have seen both sides of the military coin.
          Several of the “benefits” you point out are true, but you can get with other job fields such as job placement. Yep its true, go to college or trade school, they will help you get your first job, just like the military. The only tax free stuff you get is food, but it isn’t always priced the same as at a store off base. Clothes, wow, you actually only get 3 items free from the thrift store a year. You get a yearly allowance for gear, which doesn’t cover all clothing needs seeing how approved military uniforms cost more than the typical jeans and a t shirt worn by many Americans. Add into that all uniforms have to be altered, then have certain insignia added after which all cost more than you think and is paid for out of pocket. They must pay for tennis shoes, running is not an option it is a must, as well as boots which you have to buys yearly if not twice s year based on wear, which the cheapest pair is 100$. So no clothes are not free, and many job professions allow for a clothing allowance. The GI bill, ok so they are given money, a grant if you will, to continue their education. Many civilians get the same privilege just in different words, scholarships and grants. Free medical only applies to on base medical for active duty. The insurance doesn’t cover everything at other hospitals, and for family its only at military hospitals in the region in which you live, so just like everyone eles I pay for medical, with insurance and co-pays. As to your 10% discount at corporate stores, you are mistaken. Some do many don’t do this though. I know I have worked at several corporate retail jobs in my life that don’t. I pay the same as everyone. It’s only a hand full of corporate stores and some privately owned businesses that offer it. Free world travel ahh that would be nice. The only free travel you get is when you get stationed somewhere. To get there is paid out of pocket and then reimbursed, which many corporation do, when they send employees to work overseas, not just military. And the drivers license, I don’t know who told you this but you can correct them. We pay just like everyone, the military id only covers driving govt vehicles, such as humves. You have to get a special license to tribe larger vehicles and a regular state issued id to drive your personal vehicle anywhere including on base. We still pay the fees to get that id. With the jobs, companies may hire because of military background, but only certain professions. Several servicemen and women have trouble getting jobs because of the stigma of ptsd and other job related trauma associated with war. It’s not as easy as you might think for them to get a job. I don’t know if you get a pension being a truck driver, not a jab I honestly don’t know, but a lot of companies base their pension program based on the highest job held when you retired, or left the company. So its not so out side the box for the military to do the same. As for glasses, and housing, yes they are free ill give you that but also note that wearing glasses becomes hard with certain jobs so many have to wear contacts, like my husband, which we have to pay the same amount out of pocket as you do. Housing is only free if you live on base. Which is hard to get housing on some bases because they don’t have enough, and your housing allowances are pulled from your paycheck, which most pay becomes less than hourly minimum wage at that point. Living off base is an option though not easy. Housing allowance pays you based on where you live and generally barely covers rent or morgage, that doesn’t include water, trash, food, insurance, and electricity. So housing is just has hard a situation for the military as it is for you. The service as become very selective. It is actually very difficult to join, at least in this branch. In fact meeting the 20 year requirement for retirement is difficult, they are turning down request to renew contracts. So that pension is still out of reach for many. As for becoming a major, it is rare that someone gets promoted higher than a staff sergeant with out a college education, which is why the GI bill is only available to the one serving not the family. But even then it difficult to get the required education in the time needed to get the promotion, especially when they decline to renew your contract.
          Many of your “benefits” are a miss belief. They are hard earned and still the same as many get working in the private sector. Both my parents work for the state and get many of the same as the military, minus a few. When you look at it from both sides, which is all I have been saying, you see a different picture then the one presented in the media. I hope that was a little bit of an education for you.

  4. I think it’s funny that right-wingers forget the laws of economics when they talk about military pay. They hate on liberals who use emotional logic to justify pay raises. But when it’s used in favor of the military, it’s somehow justified. What a crock.

    And yes, an E-1 is not far off from a high-school graduate. There are many people who can do the job of an E-1. You don’t deserve a pay raise until every other hard working American gets a pay raise.

    Remember, we are broke. Why should I go into debt because you didn’t study in school? There is no free ride.

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    • Actually many men and women go into the military so they can get an education. And several had very high GPA’s. And what do you do for a living. I am not in the military, my husband is, but the company I work for has given its employees raises every year when you have a positive year end review.
      I am in favor of every man and woman who puts their life on the line for others, not just military. That includes police, firemen, military, etc.

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      • I don’t doubt that many soldiers go for the chance of a free education. But isn’t that socialism? Why should we pay because you didn’t have the grades and money to go to college? What happened to being self-sufficient? Doesn’t paying for the less fortunate go against Republican ideology? Why is it my fault that your parents are poor? Why is it my fault that you have bad grades?

        Every soldier doesn’t put their life on the line. Only those who have been in combat have the right to say that. Spare me.

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        • I don’t have to join to know that most soldiers will never see danger. Besides, why would I join when I am against these pointless and expensive wars in the first place? So no thanks, “bro”.

          I am more beneficial to our economy being in a civilain profession. My work actually helps the economy. The military, for the most part, doesn’t really do much for our economy, other that dump truckloads of money on foreign nations.

    • What do you do for a living, do you put your life on the line for the people of this country. Do you have to worry that no matter if you go to work you might not get a paycheck. Or like those serving over seas in war zones do you worry daily that you might not make it home to your family.
      Despite what you think, most of those serving did very well in school, some even hold college degrees. They chose to go into this field so they support their families, others so they could afford to go to college.
      Before you start ranting and raving about your debt problems, just remember it those putting their lives on the line daily that give you that freedom.

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    • “No Free Ride”? Dear Boy, Free Ride is exactly what the Democratic Economic Policy is, the continuation of the Welfare State and Nanny Government and you call Republicans hypocritical? …. as to the rest of your above post ….. we should consider your remarks intellegent and informed simply on a 3.8 high school GPA? ummmm nope, please read my other reply to you for more about your uneducated grasp of the laws of economics.

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  5. Unlike many on here, I won’t pretend to have served in the military. I haven’t, but I do come from a military family and have nothing but respect for those who serve in whatever capacity. Personally I haven’t received a raise in years but I look and see what the men and women have to endure, not just in combat areas but anywhere they are deployed and if my not getting a raise means they do get one, I’m all for it. Yes the military is voluntary but it takes a special person to “volunteer”. Someone who is willing to risk life and limb so that you people can sit there and complain about how much they make. I have no doubt that those people, despite the title they give themselves, who write: “we in the military” only to bash the soldiers and their well deserved raise are LIARS and have never served day one in the military. Pretending to have served is as close to enlisting as you have ever been. Your lies are obvious despite how you try and sound like you know what you’re talking about. That being said, 1.4% is definitely not enough for what you do, but (as trite as it sounds) it is something and given the current CIC probably more than you’ll see for a while.

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    • I completely and wholeheartedly agree. My husband is military, and though 1.4% isn’t a lot but, they were happy to get it. They have gotten to the point where they have stopped worrying about raises and more about getting paid period.

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  6. My reply to Former:
    You have lost your mind? Really, you compared an E-1 to someones pay who is just out of high school?
    Someone flipping burgers? Todays E-1 in the Military is not sitting on mom and dads couch playing X box and smoking weed sir. Its nice of you to think you have “earned” the right to speak up and say that a Pay Freeze on the Military is not out of order. Really? How did you earn that right sir? Were you one of those 9 to 5 types back in the 80’s? Have you been to the “Sandbox”? If you have you obviously forgot what a year or two or three there can do to you. You dont have a son or a daughter in the service and you have lost touch. I have been doing this for 28 years. I remember your type. Typical liberal ashamed of what they have earned. Todays service people have not come up short earning every penny they make. Do I think we need a 3-4 % pay raise? Yes.
    Your suggestion for some to get out and try and find a job is like me asking you to take up defending freedom as a private endeavor. The Federal Government should only be doing a few things for this nation and one is to provide it with the best equiped, best trained and best paid Warriors on the planet. For lack of better words you need to pull your head out. When your old and heavy and resenting the fact that you are in the twilight of a mediocre life you dont need to get negative with those who defend your freedoms to speak ignorance and nonsense. Regardless of what you claimed to have earned. You would never walk up to a Soldier, Airman, Sailor, or Marine and tell them what you wrote to their face. Thats why you use this forum just to spew foolish comments. Walk into a VFW (if you are authorized to enter) and tell them how you feel. Tell those men and women.
    Sergeant Major Fox

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    • Great points SM Fox and lilbugger. …. Former, What planet do you reside on? First, the COL has in NO way decreased. It has in fact been steadily moving in the opposite direction. To reiterate what as been previously noted, the only way E-1’s and HS graduates could be equal is possibly (but not necessarily probably) in their ages. I cannot say I’ve run into any “fresh” civilian HS graduates that have the equal training, level of responsibility, enforced and unenforced work ethic and contractual demands of an E-1 of any branch or MOS, and yes, I’ve seen many of both. Ridiculous and bombastic.

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      • The cost of living has remained flat for the past 2 years, (I too think my paychecks don’t go as far), that is why retirees and social security receipients have had no increase in the past 2 years, now do I believe the goverment that says the COL is flat…somewhat, not whole heartedly, but If I succumb, like many, that the goverment lies about everything, then what is really true? Thank you for your service to our country. If we look at combat roles there is no job in this entire nation that equates, but what of the special services, admin clerks, finance etc, 3-1 is the number I read in my Legion Magazine, of the number of support roles needed today for each combat troop on the ground. Those jobs can be compared, Iv’e seen the slackers, and yes the military standards are higher or you face the UCMJ. I made my comments to highlight the pitiful Hazardous/Combat pay. I am now a federal employee taking my 2 year freeze, for the good of our country, disliked, yes, but needed. JFK said it and it holds true today. “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

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    • I knew many would be unhappy with my post, so be it. I posted my thoughts. I did not lie about my history of military service although, many have assumed so. Seargent Major Fox, Sir I commend you on your 28 years of service to our Country, But, sir your comment ” Its nice of you to think you have “earned” the right to speak up and say that a Pay Freeze on the Military is not out of order. Really? How did you earn that right sir? Were you one of those 9 to 5 types back in the 80′s?” SGTMAJ, I raised my right hand right after the barracks has bombed in Beruit. I joined the Corps, and served my country. So YES I earned that right, does it matter where, when or how I served? I served sir. Your Commander and Chief never stepped into boots yet he “earned” that right. Remember each time you raised your right hand and swore to protect and defend the constitution with each reenlistment, YOU, myself and millions before have given everyone the right to speak up. Your assumptions based on a post, seem wide and biased about me, I have not attacked you, as you have I. You assume any HS grad that doesn’t join the military, flips burgers, plays games and smokes weed. What about EMT’s, young mechanics, tool shop workers, truck drivers, etc. They too have trained and studied to be productive citizens. Either by choice, or maybe just maybe,. they were not able to have the honor to serve our nation, due to a physical or medical limitation. You have assumed this much. I did my time, a long time ago yes. I will not apologize for not having served when I did yes the 80′s,as did you, I did try to rejoin the military as a Registered Nurse a few years ago but a small cataract ended that possibility. Your pay should be $6215 a month, $74500 a year based on the recent DFAS, I understand you are a SNCO, with many responsibilities. I pointed to the combat pay($255) as woefully low, I had no feed back on that, combat troops should get a extraordinarily high increase for their duties while in hazardous duty ($150). BUT the forces that are 9-5 as you say…and yes you know they exist today in the military, the combat support roles are numerically higher than combat troops, at almost 3 to 1. Can we justify our country going broke. Everyone in goverment needs financial belt tightening. I am now a federal employee and have taken my 2 year pay freeze with the thought, “I love my country and if this is what the country needs, then I can bear it.” Don’t attack me sir, and make accusations, assume and try to belittle me. I stated my thoughts without intent of insulting anyone. Your comments “When your old and heavy and resenting the fact that you are in the twilight of a mediocre life you dont need to get negative with those who defend your freedoms to speak ignorance and nonsense” are the negative comments about one who defended these freedoms as well. And sir yes, I have the privilege of being able to walk into a VFW. JFK said “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

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    • Former May 6, 2011 at 11:17 am
      I knew many would be unhappy with my post, so be it. I posted my thoughts. I did not lie about my history of military service although, many have assumed so. Seargent Major Fox, Sir I commend you on your 28 years of service to our Country, But, sir your comment ” Its nice of you to think you have “earned” the right to speak up and say that a Pay Freeze on the Military is not out of order. Really? How did you earn that right sir? Were you one of those 9 to 5 types back in the 80′s?” SGTMAJ, I raised my right hand right after the barracks has bombed in Beruit. I joined the Corps, and served my country. So YES I earned that right, does it matter where, when or how I served? I served sir. Your Commander and Chief never stepped into boots yet he “earned” that right. Remember each time you raised your right hand and swore to protect and defend the constitution with each reenlistment, YOU, myself and millions before have given everyone the right to speak up. Your assumptions based on a post, seem wide and biased about me, I have not attacked you, as you have I. You assume any HS grad that doesn’t join the military, flips burgers, plays games and smokes weed. What about EMT’s, young mechanics, tool shop workers, truck drivers, etc. They too have trained and studied to be productive citizens. Either by choice, or maybe just maybe,. they were not able to have the honor to serve our nation, due to a physical or medical limitation. You have assumed this much. I did my time, a long time ago yes. I will not apologize for not having served when I did yes the 80′s,as did you, I did try to rejoin the military as a Registered Nurse a few years ago but a small cataract ended that possibility. Your pay should be $6215 a month, $74500 a year based on the recent DFAS, I understand you are a SNCO, with many responsibilities. I pointed to the combat pay($255) as woefully low, I had no feed back on that, combat troops should get a extraordinarily high increase for their duties while in hazardous duty ($150). BUT the forces that are 9-5 as you say…and yes you know they exist today in the military, the combat support roles are numerically higher than combat troops, at almost 3 to 1. Can we justify our country going broke. Everyone in goverment needs financial belt tightening. I am now a federal employee and have taken my 2 year pay freeze with the thought, “I love my country and if this is what the country needs, then I can bear it.” Don’t attack me sir, and make accusations, assume and try to belittle me. I stated my thoughts without intent of insulting anyone. Your comments “When your old and heavy and resenting the fact that you are in the twilight of a mediocre life you dont need to get negative with those who defend your freedoms to speak ignorance and nonsense” are the negative comments about one who defended these freedoms as well. And sir yes, I have the privilege of being able to walk into a VFW. JFK said “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

      Reply
  7. I have sympathy for the families that suffer separation due to deployments. I also see even an E-1 is paid above minimum wage. IF you look at a civilian fresh out of high school, is their equality? I rememeber my recruiter telling me what my enlistment was worth ie. free food, free housing, free healthcare…oh and the FREE travel! Now it seemed I made alot when you included all the extras. I did not get BAH. I lived on base and did well. I always told others if it was so bad don’t reenlist. They seemed to reconsider rather quickly, many ended up retiring. I got out, paid my way through college and made a nice living. I did do my time, and feel I can comment freely, I’ve EARNED that right. I think the military pay is very good, considering 70% of the military has not deployed to the “sandbox”. those sitting on their laurels stateside are 9-5’ers for the most part. I think a military PAY FREEZE would not be out of order, the cost of living has actually decreased due to the economy, my pay is frozen and that is life in tough times, less luxuries for me. BUT before everyone jumps on me, I feel the Hazardous Duty pay is pathetic, It really has not increasaed since ‘Nam, I feel those that are truly bearing the burden should get $750-1000 a month in HD pay. Now for those sitting stateside whining about my comments, feel free to bitch me out and call foul, or ask your CO for orders overseas, Or better yet get out and find a job that will pay you as well, I think the later my be a very tough task considering the economy. The congress is considering a 50,000 reduction in the Army and 20,000 in the Marines, some may not have a choice…then those will complain.

    Reply
      • First off you did not get BAH because you lived on base, for free. Second the cost of living has gone up, quite a bit. I’m not saying we need huge jumps in pay, but in light on recent events a paycheck for a job worked is not to much to ask. And you are saying that a person who is untrained, fresh out of high school deserves to get paid the same amount as an E-1, who by the way doesn’t start getting paid till they ate out of boot camp and mct which is the military equivalent to a two degree in college. I think you are sadly mistaken. You sound like a man who says they were in the military but is basing you facts on tv and movies. Not someone who was actually there.

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        • Thanks to your Husband for his service, and to you, being a military spouse is a hard job too. I do not intend to attack, I knew their would be displeasure in my comment, but, I did not lie about my service, I stated a comment.
          1.) I stated “I did not receive BAH …and did well, I did not say I was entitled to it, I did receive BAQ.
          2.) The cost of living, (I agree with you it seems to take more to make ends meet) but the cost of living has not gone up, that is why retirees and social security recipients have not had raises in the past few years.
          3.) Both a E-1 and person training in a skilled profession are both new and learning their jobs so they are both being paid “entry level” so to speak, many jobs are not comparable due to the hazards, but what of the admin clerk, electonic repair, special services worker, etc. compare those to the civilian sector That is why I stressed the Hazardous/Combat Duty pay is woefully low.
          4.)Recruits do get paid in bootcamp, they just don’t get a check (electonic deposits nowadays), until after boot (I was single and did not need money sent home).
          5.) I do not know what MCT is, I was in the Corps 23 years ago the acronyms change,
          and differ from service to service, I too was told I had accumulated many college credits, but when I applied my military training for college credits I got 3.
          6.) Why do you assume I did not serve? Because I feel military pay is adequate, It has always been a low paid profession. I have my DD214, so no comments can take that away. I think, as I said before our country is nearly in default, I love my country and am willing to take my 2 year freeze. A 1.9 % is still something.

        • When I responded my comments were based on the thought that you just served. I know things have changed with the times. MCT is a specility training school they are sent to for in depth training in certain areas. They range from 3 months to 1 year based on the job, my husband being a tech com controller had the longest at 1 year.
          As to the pay freeze and hazard pay, I agree with you. My comments on the pay freeze were nor centered around not getting raises, it was posted before it became public knowledge that our military might not receive pay at all at the time. Which I don’t agree with. Pay raises well they are what they are and are not a main concern or stress. And I agree with you on hazardous pay being low.

  8. I understand the state of the economy, things are tough all over. My question is WHY is it that retirees are no longer getting a raise when the rest of the military is still getting their’s. That was a given when we retired, the military gets a raise the retirees get a raise what has happened to that?

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  9. Why is it people dont respect those that serve while others sit at home not knowing whats going on…….BLIND BLIND

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  10. I think the pay raise is ridiculous, but we dont have to pay for medical or prescription medicines!!!!!!! That stuff is expensive. it costs nearly 40k to have a baby and stay in the hospital for maximum 4 days….. As a civilian we wouldnt be able to pay for that let alone any insurance provider cover it. and for those that really have issues with money get food stamps and wic. nearly the entire enlisted force below e5 with only 1 dependant qualifies…… and budget yourselves. think about necessity before wants! I for example have 2 vehicle payments, a dirtbike, a streetbike, an $1100 rent and insurance to pay plus, i have a 4 month old. Because I make a budget i end up with nice things and money left over to do fun stuff. My husband and I are both only E4s….. Thanks to the military i can live pretty well. granted, in the military i dont do what they trained me to do, but why should i complain. i come home to my son and my husband whenever hes not deployed. I am thankful for the military because it means that my family and i will always be taken care of and well always have food on our plate.

    Reply
    • Theres no need to get heated about the mindless comments of the ungrateful. I lie my head down at night knowing that the freaks who protest our funerals, argue our pay, sneer at us in the airport….they all are allowed to do that because of what our fore fathers and current troops provide for this country.
      We all from different walks of life, different cultures, beliefs and support systems, we will never be on the same page, but thats what makes our country unique and set apart from all the others. I’ll accept the fact that I won’t get along with everyone, and despite holding back from knocking someones teeth out for making a smart comment about my Joes- I just smile and imagine them getting hit by a train/bus/car/ied, ect…
      Where I’m getting at is-
      GWB gave us higher raises because he was prepping to hand over to a democrat. We never get substantial raises when they are CIC, still 1.4% is a slap in the face. Could you atleast round up to the higher percent?
      I remember in highschool watching on the TV how congress gave themselves a 400,000 $ per year raise. For what? Life with 6 figures is too stressful, rough and demanding? If an 17 y/o can see how ridiculous that is, (and I was a stubborn, selfish know-it all, couldn’t tell me jack-) then I think it’s time to re-assess the priorities of this country.
      I love my job, I love my troops, I love my country but I still need to turn a blind eye towards the ignorance and insanity of some of these Americans…. for the sake of my sanity.

      Put it this way: I’d take NO raise for the rest of my enlistment, if only the money would go to plane tickets for these DB’s to be sent down to the Amazon. Bet they wouldn’t be b****ing and complaning about America/ the Gov’t/ Troops anymore when a guerilla has an AK47 to their face in the middle of the jungle- searching for their own food & shelter, avoiding disease and dehydration.

      …Just a fantasy I suppose…. :o)

      -SSG M, out.

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  11. No one put a gun to my head and made me enlist in the military, I will take any raise the government will give me. It’s ridiculous for the military to think they deserve something espeically when it is an all VOLUNTEER force unlike other countries. Lastly, when everyone else is receiving a pay decrease up to 10% in the private sector, why do we think we deserve more? Come folks, it’s really stepping outside of ourselves and looking at the big picture, do you care if your children will be paying for our debt or do you just want to live for the here and now?

    Reply
    • So, you are saying that you would do this for free? You must realize that you would be one of the few that would be willing to do what we do for nothing at all. Agreed, any raise is better than none. But I am sure that those of us who left the private sector so we could support ourselves and our families that for what we subject ourselves to in order to preserve freedom should be paid. Just an idea from a lower enlisted.

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    • Only reason you say that is because of your rank and your in the Airforce. You get the best living conditions and the best duty assignments. Be away from everything you love for 467 days instead of a 6 month tour and see how you feel about what you get paid. I feel we should get paid more by job title and who puts their life on the line more. Then I would see you complain.

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  12. For me, I would like to make a lot more money then I’m making…..who wouldn’t? I’m just thankful for what I do have, I know so many people that are struggling alot worse then I am. I willing to do my part to help this economy recover. It may not seem right, or fair, but when has life ever been fair. I’m just happy I’m not on the streets. I understand that if I’m not happy with my current situation…….prepare to make a change.

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  13. I don’t think it’s fare for the military to get the lowest pay raise in history so they say. I’m in the miltary and many would say dont complain yu have a pay check. Ok I got it. But that the point. the point is that we men and women of the armed forces deserve the raise we use to get. You know the 3.1%. But 1.4% come on. what we deal with the bs on a everyday basis and all we look foward to is 1.4% really. I guess all i have to say it is what it is. whatever!

    Reply
    • Really? We deserve a pay raise after the rest of the country is hurting? Does that make sense? Oh and the President has not received a pay raise since 2001 and he has a much larger responsiblity than we do in the military. Why do you deserve the pay raise? Because you put your life on the line? Well, from the last four reenlistments I have done for myself, no one has made me do it… So looking at the deficit at our country and what others are going through, while people in the military have iPhones, flat screen TVs. We do not deserve it. What about everyone losing their homes and jobs? You have job security, medical care, food, shelter… Maybe stepping outside of ourselves is worth a look.

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      • Well Msgt, First off your job as a Senior NCO is to take care of your guys and to help them understand the changes not to argue with them over semantics and attempt to justify the governments actions. You want to save the economy, get out and run for political office until then while your here how bout doing your job and save the opinions for your spouse. Enlisted Force Structure…Remember that?
        USAF COL Retired

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        • Well Retired COL I agree with you partly, but why NOT support the government, they are the ones paying our bills! The last commander’s call I went to is all in support of the President, like it or not that is what SNCOs do. I do not think the MSgt is arguing with people but asking people to look around and take ownership for the economy. What does Enlisted Force Structure have to do with the comment? Absolutely nothing..

        • Surely you think the airmen and soldiers living outside their means is appropriate? We in the military are paid well or at least the enlisted are for not having any education, or minimum training. I see several officers running around the base with modest vehicles while it is the airmen driving around in BMWs and such with loud speakers and fancy phones… I wonder why? I think the MSgt made a good point, no one made them sign up. It is hard for any family when someone deploys for a long time, but they get family separation allowance, tax free pay, hazardous duty pay. Sure it may not be enough, but I can attest that is is a lot! People reenlist for a reason, and complaining why we are not getting a raise is not supporting Congress. I know enlisted and officers take a different oath, but I thought we are all supposed to support our President. It is not just spouses on here complaining, there are active duty folks here too. The MSgt asked folks to take a look at the economy, this is not a military forum, but a save to invest website and we are entitled to our opinions. I think asking people to look outside of our own problems is admirable and should be applauded, not be reminded of the Enlisted Force Structure, if so, there are many others out of line. Maybe take a look at your own comment, reminding people to look at the Enlisted Force Structure has nothing to do with this forum and asking him to run for politics is not exactly admirable of a retired officer. Thank you by the way for your service.

      • You can hardly compare the President not recieving a pay raise since 2001 to the pathetic pay raise the military is getting. That pay raise in 2001 was a 100% pay raise that increased the Presidential salary from $200k to $400k a year. President Obama currently earns $400,000 per year, along with a $150,000 expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account and $19,000 for entertainment. So his mere $400k a year salary is just banked and earning interest being that the President does not have to pay for anything. Now after serving 4 years or even 8 he retires and gets paid around $180k a year not to mention book deals and other perks. So the president that you are so praising for not getting a pay raise does not seem to be suffering at all to me. Congress either.

        Yes this is a volunteer military but there will surely be a decrease in volunteers if congress and the President do not quit crapping on the very people that fight for our freedom. A pay raise of 1.3% is a slap to the face… Trying to pass a bill that prevents retirees from collecting retirement from the miltiary until the age of 60 so the government can save a buck while keeping their high salaries is pathetic. Perhaps MSGT you are one of those high ranking people that have never deployed in their entire career so you do not know how it feels to be shot at… experience IED attacks while on a convoy… to lose a fellow comrade or miss family members only to one day finally retire after 20 years of faithful service to become a 2nd class citizen. And if you do not know what I speak of ask a retireee how they feel when they go to a doctors appointment or try to get anything done through the military.

        If you are so self righteous and feel we do not deserve pay for what we do then perhaps you should waive your right to a paycheck and just work for free. It is a shame that there are so many “yes sir, yes sir” people out there that are just a tool to the system.

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        • Hello SSG,
          I constantly see so many people in the military who feel “entitled” to a raise even when the economy is in the worst state it has been in my life just because they VOLUNTEER to fight in a war and we get many entitlements to do so. Why do we feel like this? Perhaps we are all about the money, this I cannot answer.

          After 18 years of service and being deployed four times in the last 7 years at one year each with the exception of one deployment being 6 months may not equate to your many deployments (that’s 3.5+ years gone), but I surely know the hardships of being seperated from family and the dangers of a deployment. BUT, we are a volunteer force, no one has made me do this, I reenlisted 4 times because I am an AMERICAN and am proud of being in the military, I do not do it for the money. It is YOUR decision to reenlist, if you do not like it, seperate and see how well you will be treated outside in the civilian sector where a 10% pay cut is the norm.

          The bottom-line is why should we expect to get anything in the military when the rest of the country is hurting for money? Does that make sense? Is that honorable? Is that setting a good example? I see many 18 year olds with flat screen TVs, BMWs and such. I do not see how we are “underpaid” for anything. It is a volunteer force, we need to quit our whining and suck it up or get out.

        • Pay raises however big or small is always favorable but at the same time it is hard doing a job when you know the people up top are sitting pretty, making 400k. Yes im talking about the president. I understand that with the economy a pay freeze may happen but at the same time maybe the president and congress should take a pay cut. That would make a huge difference in the deficit and show the people that they are truly trying to cut the deficit. Yes times are hard with the economy but who is it harder for servicemen and women or the people in Washington. Not looking for a pay raise, just looking for a paycheck for the job I’m currently working.

        • Im sorry to burst your little fantasy bubble here but I want to clear a few assumptions you seem to be making over and over and over. You continuously state that you and i quote you “I see many 18 year olds with flat screen TVs, BMWs and such” do you have any figgin idea why they have those things it has nothing to do with them getting paid a lot of money in fact they dont make that much I might be so bold as to say it’s reasonable but I think they should get paid more for what they give up whether they gave it up like me to protect ones family or they did it because they grew up in poverty and that’s their only way out. Regardless the reason these kids have these things is because they are young and still not use to the idea of saving money if they’re like me we spent anywhere from 14months -22months in the sand box where we cant spend hardly anything we’ve earned we are separated from society and any real view of reality so we cling to the hopes and dreams we have in our heads because when death is everywhere and your in the sh*t of it you have to have something to grasp onto or you’ll go insane so when we get home if we get home (RIP my friends) we want to see something physical to represent what we’ve given up and had to go through it’s our life line i tried to keep control and only got a TV but ill tell you what that TV means more to me then almost anything because of what it represents. You need to pull your head out and look at the reality of what these soldiers go threw and the mental effects it causes to each and everyone of us (and it does i don’t care how tough you pretend to be) and if you argue against this point it just proves one of two things either you’ve never deployed or when you did you sat at a desk or in the green zone. I’m just trying to help people understand that there are other factors to take into consideration other then just pay because they fight for their country and family but more pay them for the suffering they have to deal with for the rest of their lives so that the majority of the USA wont have to see the things we’ve seen and kill the people we’ve had to kill and see their faces and the faces of our friends who we’ve had to watch die in unfathomably brutal ways. That’s why we should pay them or give more money to the VA to help the vets that suffer.

      • Um, does the president and congress need a pay raise. They make 6 figures. I’m not saying the military needs huge pay raises but they shouldn’t be subjected to pay freezes. The last thing my husband and the others currently fighting over seas need to be worried about is if their families are going to have food and money to pay the bills. And about the flat screen Tvs comment. Don’t know the last time you went get a new tv but it is hard to find one that isn’t. Not everyone is living the high life. Yes, those that are active duty get mostly free medical no matter where in the country they are, their families however not so much. They are only covered based on the region they live and the hospital they go to. So if I go home on the other side of the country to visit family, get sick or go into labor, I still have to pay the co-pays, and such for treatment just like everyone eles. I don’t know very many complaining about the pay raise, personally, but your comments are a slap in the face to many, especially since you have served.

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  14. I think it is crazy to even compare raises of those who serve in the military and some federal employees who sit at a desk nice and safe while husbands like mine put their lives on the line everyday. Maybe if we didn’t continue to pay outrageous salaries to former presidents,people who really earn and continue to earn it for 20 years not just 4 or 8. I wonder how our president or congress members would like it if they spent holiday thousands of miles away from family getting shot at or not being there for the birth of their child all of these things our families deal with on top of making very little pay for all they do but these people make more in a month than we do in a year for doing nothing but screwing everything up and then we don’t get what little pay raise we can hope for away. It’s just crap

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    • When you do not have to sit home and wonder if your father, husband, brother, son, your best friends and family are safe on some convoy, or when you get a phone call and have to listen to explosions in the back ground you have no idea the life that military members and their families live.
      Maybe you individuals that are deciding on our pay raises need to go on a convoy, spend Christmas, birthdays, births, and anniversaries overseas in a hazardous area, and listen to your families cry on the phone because they have had a chance to miss you and your child be confused because you can only call once and a while and explain why they can not see you for months on end repetitively. On top of that donate your salaries and let your family pay your mortgage, light bill, grocery bill, car insurance and a car payment with our little salary.
      I am extremely thankful that my husband and I are able to get through each month by the skin of our teeth. But there comes a time when a raise of 1.4 or 1.9% is a slap in the face when your family members are on deployments every 6 months to defend not only us as Americans but assist other countries in gaining their own independence.
      Here is an idea…. Take a pay cut congress, and Mr. President! Not only will that help with the ever rising deficit because people can not afford their taxes and house payments but it could be used to boost the economy for everyone!

      Reply
  15. The Department of Defense released today the 2011 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, which take effect Jan. 1, 2011. While overall rates will decrease an average of 0.59 percent, because of the individual rate protection provision, the average change service members will see is a 1.1 percent increase.

    Individual rate protection ensures that individual members already assigned to a given location will not see their BAH rate decrease, though they will receive the increase if the rate goes up. This assures that members who have made long-term commitments in the form of a lease or contract are not penalized if the area’s housing costs decrease. Any decreases only apply to members newly reporting to a location.

    A typical junior enlisted member with dependents will find his/her BAH about $39 per month higher than last year, while a senior non-commissioned officer with dependents will receive about the same amount as last year.

    Three components are included in the BAH computation: median current market rent; average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) and average renter’s insurance.

    Total housing costs are calculated for six housing profiles (based on dwelling type and number of bedrooms) in each military housing area. BAH rates are then calculated for each pay grade, both with and without dependents. An estimated $19 billion will be paid to over 1 million service members in 2011.

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  16. It’s sad that there is no Defense Authorization Bill Yet, so Congress will have to try Again In Lame Duck Session. But if the Republicans win, maybe the 1.9% raise will be approved. I also don’t know why other provisions like “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” have to hold everything up. The House passed its version of the NDAA back in June, and with limited time remaining before the pre-election recess, but as usual everything get’s held up in the Senate.

    In the past, this important defense bill has observed a long-standing tradition of fairness and bipartisanship. So it is troubling when we see the leadership in this Congress misuse the legislative process in this manner.

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