Do you know how much you really make?

2014-08-05T04:08:25-04:00

To caveat off the last post. Why so so many not actually understand how much they are actually compensated in the military. While my base pay is just over 3800 dollars a month which equates to approximately $46,000 a year. While that is not an absurd amount it isn't a horrible amount either. However for me to have a take home pay that is equivalant to what I take home every month I need to make much more than this. With BAH and BAS factored in I bring home $5200 a month after taxes and TSP contributions. To have a take home pay of this much once I retire I will need to make more than $85,000 a year. Too many people focus on the base pay portion of our compensation and not the over all compensation. I feel that every NCO needs to talk with their sperating service members and explain to them how good they actually have it. Even those in the barracks are doing pretty good when you figure they have no rent or utilities to pay for .

Response by MSG(P) Michael Warrick made Aug 5 at 2014 8:13 AM

2014-08-05T08:13:57-04:00

Just a pretty penny when compare to Congress and Senate !

Response by TSgt Matthew McElroy, aPHR made Aug 5 at 2014 8:42 AM

2014-08-05T08:42:00-04:00

SSgt Guina,

You are correct. I am going through this now, since I am recently retired. When someone asks my pay history, it is hard to explain. I basically have to break it down for them if they are unfamiliar with military pay. I had an interview yesterday, who luckily understood about the housing allowance, etc. We basically decided the range I was looking for was around what my take home pay used to be in the military.

I also agree that NCOs need to talk to their separating service members and explain to them about their pay. However, as much as lots of us enjoyed the military, no one can stay in it forever and must eventually "move forward". People say knowledge is power, but I like to say that Applied knowledge is power.