Do you think all branches of the service need to get paid more? Why or why not?

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 10:58:49 -0500

Response by SSG Ryan Moore made Feb 25 at 2016 11:05 AM

SSG Ryan Moore — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:05:37 -0500

Private RallyPoint Member Absolutely! Do we get certain benefits that others do not? Sure, we do. But are we compensated well enough for what we do? Nope, not the very least. I put this into comparison. A civilian intelligence analyst in most areas will get paid a lot more than what I do. I have been in the Army for 17 1/2 years and roughly make approximately $65,000/year based on all my entitlements. However, a civilian in the same area is making more than $80,000/year. Doesn't seem quite right for us making that choice. However, that being said, I didn't join for the money - I joined to keep a family tradition alive in my family and my deepest feelings in regards to patriotism. I love what I do and I wouldn't change it for the world.. But yes, bottom line, I do believe that we should get a pay increase to match similar to the private/civilian sector. Just my two cents.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 25 at 2016 11:18 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:18:41 -0500

We are all in civil service, so bear that in mind when we talk salaries. But in general, I think the officer corps compensation (pay + bennies) is commensurate with what their salaries would be in the civilian world. Note, that starts becoming untrue at the very senior levels (O-6 and above) where they are acting in CEO capacities but not making similar civilian CEO pay. I think our NCO corps is not paid commensurate with their responsibilities, particularly at senior NCO levels, and should be paid more.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 25 at 2016 12:57 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:57:54 -0500

If you ask the junior ENL who has to get food stamps to feed the kids, that's one thing. If you ask the OFF side, then it gets harder to make a case in the marketplace. Don't forget to chip in all the tax free benefits and how much more you'd have to make to pay if it wasn't tax free. TSP/401 matching you don't find on any street corner.

For ENL being an E-7/9 without a degree tends to limit them to Civil Service technician series which many times caps out at GS-11 so considering ENL benefits, that's a pay cut. For officers coming off O-4 and going GS-12, it's closer to a push. Where officers can run into GS issues like everyone else is the bottleneck starts at GS-13 (first line supervisor) big time and continues to pucker up from there.

When looking at commercial sector with low paying service jobs with limited benefits, many of that community would freak out over how cushy the junior ENL has it. With the economy being in the tank for the past 8 years, many would give a lot to have what the MILs have. If you have a technical building skill like the Seabees and are journeyman level, you can do very well, especially if you're willing to go it alone in the boonies.

"Should" is a problem word as is "fair". You don't want to look at GS to MIL rank equivalents because that means cuts everywhere. But that wasn't set up for pay comparison anyways. Pay in GS/WD or whatever is based on skills, span of control, and other things that the position requires. Having prior service doesn't mean an entitlement bump. Merit systems don't work that way. About the only thing MIL does for you is a potential bump up on the list for first hire. After that, pretty much nothing.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 1:23 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 13:23:49 -0500

In 1968, I started out at 102 dollars a month. I knew that the pay was not great, but I joined to serve my country. Having more money is great, but doing a job that you love, is an important factor to consider.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 1:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 13:31:13 -0500

While I agree with Sgt Private RallyPoint Member, I will say this;
Having a job you love is a great thing, and it should be so for everyone. But I can tell you, in the private sector, I would make much better pay than I am now, doing basically the same job. Pile onto that: I also have dependants to support. I moved them in on post because for once, it actually was cheaper at the time. Even with that, it is still difficult to keep my head above water some months. Things happen. Things come up. And at my level, I don't get paid nearly enough to support myself and my family, AND save up to handle incidentals. So I often have to jump through hoops and go around my elbow to get to my own fourth point of contact in order to keep trucking along.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 2:16 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:16:55 -0500

I think we're paid plenty. If you consider that in order to be in my position very little to no education is required. What civilian job will allow you to make ~100K/year without education/training? What people need to understand is that we all volunteered for this, and therefore knew the pay scale before we joined (hopefully). If it was acceptable when you joined, why is it not now? Soldiers (and civilians) today seem to think they are entitled to things which they aren't. If you want to make more money, go to school or start a successful business. Just serving in the military should not entitle you to a more comfortable life over that of a comparably trained/educated civilian.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 13 at 2019 1:34 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 01:34:43 -0400

What about warrants? I think a CW4/CW5 makes pretty good money. Those on active duty. What I do not agree with is the changes in the retirement system. Plus if active duty gets 3.1 so should the retirees.