Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Salary of a Soldier

In the Army (this is pretty much the same throughout all branches), starting out, you make around $20,000 a year base pay. You are guaranteed raises at every new year mark and every other year in service mark. I have been in for almost 5 years and my salary is roughly $27,000 a year base pay.

This may seem horribly low compared to the civilian sector but the benefits in the Army don’t even come close. First of all, you get to eat at the Chow Hall (Galley is the Navy equivalent) for free unless you have special circumstance, in which case, the Army will pay you $300 extra a month for sustenance. Second, health and dental are 100% covered. I got my wisdom teeth pulled in the Army and it didn’t cost me a cent. Third, the Army pays for your room and board whether that’s an apartment style room in the barracks, or a small house on post or, in some cases (like if you’re married), they’ll pay for you to buy a house or lease an apartment off post. There are quite a few other perks that the civilian sector can’t match (insanely low life insurance, reduced supermarket prices, etc.)

If you’re single in the military and aren’t saving at least $400 a month, either you’re doing something wrong or you’re a complete retard with your money (which is 75% of the military). Being married in the military though, it’s pretty tough to get by without your spouse working as well, especially if you decide to poop out some kids.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

I thought you get more salary, i mean when shit hits the fan its your life on the frontline.

D4 said...

Yeah, what mac-and-me said. Not that the health and all the extras don't add up, but at the end of the day when people risk their lives, I'd expect the pay to be a bit more grateful. Maybe it's just me?

lovebloggin said...

one of my friends was in the army, he said the same thing!

KUSHtunes said...

That's kind of ridiculous that it's only 27,000k after 5 years though. I feel like it should be more...who knows though.

Toto said...

had no idea thats its like that...

http://all-around-toto.blogspot.com/

T. Banacek said...

The PX has some pretty sweet discounts sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Not so highly paid but the benefits can't be beaten it seems.

Mike Yang said...

Career military salaries get better; 20K is just the starting point.

Samuel said...

you made me think about actually joining the army although it might be different in the UK

Jay said...

what about retirement benefits?

tetcrh said...

Interesting. I'm studying engineering, but if that went down the pan I think I'd look towards a career in the armed forces. My girlfriend's dad is a long-serving naval officer, and earns a mint!

Anonymous said...

awesome benefits but I thought the salary was higher :(

schultzz said...

yeah it looks kind of low.

Unknown said...

Sweet thats pretty good. Though what can you do with the money you do earn, if your stuff at the base all the time?

Bassislv said...

it's not that bad, but I have to agree with mac-and-me, should be much more considering that your putting your life at risk everyday

The Game Store Guy said...

Kind of amusing to think about actually. Given with the civilian sector, $20,000 is not even really enough to live on; yet with the added perks, you can still sock away cash.

Patti D. said...

I think it's very low, if you start with some studies, can you get a higher rank and thus more money?

Anonymous said...

Soldiers really don't get paid enough.

level85nerd said...

SOunds like a good career.

ruinz said...

Off to the army :P
How to Hack Life.

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