Posted on Sep 5, 2015
How Much Did You Get Paid When You Joined The Military? My Take Home Pay Was $457 a Month as a (Army) Private in 1990?
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How much did you make when you joined the military? Back then I got paid on FRIDAY AND BROKE ON MONDAY!! (was not making too much-no family but me, myself and I). Times have changed since the days of your era. Who remembers the Green JUMPs Statement?(DA 3681-6) and getting once a month pay out the finance cage. Yes you had to salute the payroll officer. I remember in Basic Training getting American Travels checks and the Senior Drill Sergeant/1SG keeping it in a safe. Getting once a month pay(cold hard cash), this was before surepay, it was known as casual pay before direct deposit kicked in before the internet. I am referring to 1989-1990. Much respect to all the Army Veterans (Private Pay) who got $75 dollars a month in 1949. The Private in 2015 makes about $1430 a month(under 4 months). Use the link below if you served in the DOD since 1949.
http://www.militarypay.com/MilitaryPayCharts.php
http://www.militarypay.com/MilitaryPayCharts.php
Posted in these groups: 
Money
Military Pay
Money Military Pay
Edited 5 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 282
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I remember being paid 72 cents per hour (if it was a 40 hour week...NOT) as my pay for volunteering for the Draft... I mean Army. I remember being told that we were working 24 hours per day back then and if that was true, then in reality I was paid 3 cents per hour of harassment during the first few months. I was E2 by the time I got out of Basic so I got an increase to 80 cents per hour if it was a 40 hour week. and by my 5th month of service I got another promotion to PFC and earned 97 cents an hour. SO why all the complaints today about Military Pay?
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As an E2 in 1990 I think I took home $280 every 2 weeks. I lived in the barracks and had a meal card. What else did I need?
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I remember about $80 per month paid in cash '65-'67 era as an E-2 and E-3. About 3 trips into Laguna Beach and I was broke. Always kept a large tin of Prince Albert and rolling papers in my foot locker. Had no money left for smokes. I remember it as a wonderful time -- a huge pitcher of Falstaff at the slop chute was $0.65 and we often paid in pennies, nickels and dimes. I was young, very healthy and it was a good thing I had no more money. I would have gotten into much more trouble than I did.
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In 1971 I believe I was paid $73.00 all your change was donated to the Soldiers Home you were paid in cash and had to Salute the pay officer
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