Do we provide Soldiers with too much?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 22:18:55 -0500

I propose this question to all, Seniors, Peers and Subordinates to see if anyone agrees with me.

I feel that the Army does not place enough personal responsibility on Soldiers who live in the barracks.

By this I mean, most of the Soldiers that do live in the barracks, are single, and between the ages of 18-22. Meaning this is their first job, first time away from home, and their first time ever having to manage their own personal Finances. To soften the blow, the army provides them with Housing, Meals, and a Clothing allowance. (IE. Roof over their head, food in their mouth, and the clothes on their back)

A majority of these Soldiers will not re-enlist. So when they ETS, they still have no real experience of providing for themselves. Their only financial experience they may have is maybe paying for a Vehicle / Insurance / Registration, a Cell phone bill, and possibly a Credit Card. When those Soldiers do leave the service, they are just as unprepared for the real world as before they joined.

Or even If they get married, as soon as a soldier gets married, they immediately have to learn how to provide for themselves and a spouse. Pay rent, pay for utilities, learn how to properly budget for their family, to many times have I seen newly married soldiers eating nothing but Ramen Noodles, and Macaroni and Cheese, because neither the Soldier or their spouse knows how to cook anything else, that or they didn’t properly budget, that was all they could afford

Here is what I would like to see in the future.

Single Soldiers in the barracks should receive some type of BAH. Which would be taking out as if they were a married soldier living in post housing. This would allow for the ability to maintain a higher standard of living in the barracks, and to also give the Soldiers a sense of pride in their barracks, and the responsibility of paying for their home.

Single Soldiers, should have a Split BAS. This gives the soldier the option to purchase food, and still eat at the DFAC. Giving them the opportunity to learn how to budget, plan, prepare and cook for themselves.

Maybe it’s just me but I feel that we should be better preparing our Soldiers for their future, whether that is as a Soldier or a Civilian

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made Feb 6 at 2015 10:27 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 22:27:59 -0500

I give it yes vote for I was at one time one of those barrack rats that really didn't learn much living like that. All my pay was extra spending cash. To many of the clowns living in the barracks don't care how they leave it for the next guy. Give them some responsibility that they need, so before they go out to buy that shiny "NEW" car they are thinking if they can really afford it first.

Response by SGT Jonathan Williams made Feb 6 at 2015 11:09 PM

SGT Jonathan Williams — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:09:32 -0500

DFAC*

Response by Cadet 4th Class Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 4:43 PM

Cadet 4th Class Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 16:43:09 -0400

Is it really that different than just being in college where you have a meal plan, a dorm room and your parents send food/clothes; or when someone moves out of the house to find a job? At some point they'll have to learn it on their own just like nonmilitary people do.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Mar 17 at 2015 5:27 PM

BG David Fleming III — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:27:40 -0400

How about we just pay them more for the service they give to their country. How much would it cost to pay more to the members of society who make up only 1% of the 1%? Pay them more and it will all work out in the end!!! Thank you for serving.

Response by SrA Jimmy Conant made Jun 12 at 2017 7:09 AM

SrA Jimmy Conant — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 07:09:11 -0400

My only concern would be that young airmen running out of money and cant eat.

Response by LCDR Mike Morrissey made Sep 25 at 2019 10:42 PM

LCDR Mike Morrissey — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 22:42:18 -0400

I can’t answer this yes or no. The previously mentioned point about college for 4 yrs was a comparison I initially thought of as well. But then again, college does not teach discipline and a work ethic. Granted not all MOS or NEC (Navy) skill sets directly translate to civilian life. But, at some point, the military and naval services need to hold off being Nannies. Then again, senior enlisted and junior officers (although some junior officers are just as financially clueless) have a responsibility to supervise and catch before disaster. There was a time when enlisted buying a car had to be approved by the command.

Our daughter saw me do the budget and balance finances every two weeks, but it didn’t hit her until after college how much things cost. But she had made sure there was no college debt.

At what point do we let folks become adults? Some never do—homeless in Seattle.

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made Mar 21 at 2020 6:41 PM

CPT Daniel Cox — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 18:41:41 -0400

"To soften the blow," was not the rationale for barracks life. Originally, posts and forts were places that needed 24-hour-a-day support. No one lived off post (just like most military folks in Iraq and Afghanistan today and aboard naval vessels). Eventually, bases out-grew the ability to house all of their troops, so they allow some people to live off-post. This has been primarily single and married officers, and married and senior enlisted. Yes, I would rather live in a house than a motel room but it is not always possible.
It is not the military's role to be responsible for a soldier's understanding of budgeting. Yes, the military can and (and as far as I know) does provide that guidance. Giving them more money (but taking back most) is a silly idea, just like when the military nearly doubled enlisted pay and at the same time ended federal income tax exemptions for enlisted personnel. If you go with your idea, DO NOT take out the barracks rent. Make them pay it on the 1st and if they don't evict them. That would teach them real fast.
DFAS needs a structured count to adequately prepare meals for a known number of people. Your plan does not allow for this.
Your argument could apply to college students. They get less budgeting guidance. They are usually in the same age bracket as junior enlisted. They pay a flat rate for dorm housing and dining hall meals. They pay those fees at the same time the pay tuition, usually at the beginning of the semester. If they do not have enough money through scholarships, grants, and financial aid, and student loans, they get a job if the school lets them.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 12:52 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:52:44 -0400

I agree with General Fleming. Paying soldiers more would help with a multitude of issues.

But to the point of the post. I think we’re underestimating the intelligence and discipline of these soldiers, at the point that their leaving the service. As long as they can find employment, these men and women understand that they will have to pay rent and their other bills. It’s not that hard of an adjustment... again, provided that they have the finances to be able to afford rent and housing.

I don’t think we provide the soldiers with too much. As a matter of fact, during SFL-TAP and throughout their career the soldiers have access to financial counseling and budgeting education. I actually think we should provide soldiers with everything they need to thrive since they made the honorable choice of serving their country, and the greatest, best funded military in the world.