Posted on Jul 14, 2014
TSgt Contracting
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So today a coworker of mine brought up that he thought it wasn't right (something like that) that a person who promotes to a certain rank with less time in grade would get paid more than someone else who got the rank before them because of time in service.

Example:
I have tested for E-5 (SSgt) three times now (and finally made it (this year), which is a shocker honestly). My friend made it his first time (last year) and promoted earlier this year. Since I have a low line number I will put SSgt on fairly quickly (I'd say 6 months after my friend). I will hit my six year mark this December (if I decide to stay in) and will get paid more than my friend since I have more time in service (he will have 5 years). So according to my other friend's point of view, it's not right since technically my other friend would out rank me.

I tried to tell him it's just time in service and my other friend would still make just as much in the long run.

So just wondering what everyone's point of view is on this topic.
Posted in these groups: Images 4 Fair Pay
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Responses: 11
LTC Yinon Weiss
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In my view, the mere amount of time somebody has been in uniform should dictate neither position nor pay. Rather, performance and advancement should represent compensation and responsibility.

In the military, time often controls advancement, but I don't think that is the best approach. Performance should be awarded over time whenever possible in my personal opinion.
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CPT Company Commander
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I agree but I will still take my O-2E with 12 years.
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TSgt Contracting
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I agree that performance should be awarded over time although I feel like the hard workers are left in the dust compared to those who are highly sociable and can win boards and look good like that for the squadron. Also with my career field it would be hard to determine who out performs who since I workload varies so much compared to each other in the unit.
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PO3 Account Management Specialist
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Edited >1 y ago
Not gonna lie, pay and the lack of rewarding service-members for a job well done, but promoted time and "knowing how to play the game" to the right people involved was yet another huge motivating factor of why I got out of the service after only 1 tour. I don't support Union-like pay. I want to be paid for MY hard work, for MY accomplishments, for MY achievements, and where I am now, my pay reflects my rocking performance. Not a timetable, not a test, and certainly not brown-nosing or rubbing elbows with "the right people."

I do not want to be held back because "well, you've only been in X amount of time and you're Y rank which equals Z pay. Hey look at Joe Shipwreck over there, you both came in the service at the same time. Man, he's a POS and you're pretty outstanding, doesn't it suck that he gets paid the same as you?"

Yep. It sure does.
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TSgt Contracting
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>1 y
That's how I feel slightly. There's a lot of problems with my career field and I see why they have it the way they do... but it's wrong. I'm coming up on my exit date and don't know if I should re-enlist or not. blah
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
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the SSgt rank is equal rank to one another, one might have more time in grade (your buddy) or in a more senior position however, I see it as the same rank
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1SG Eoc Ops Coordinator / Ga Certified Emergency Manager
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TSgt (Join to see) , CSM Michael J. Uhlig is correct. As Staff Sergeants, you and your friend are being paid the same amount of money. You on the other hand are making more because of your time in service. When he reaches the TIS that you currently hold, he will make the same amount. I'm concerned as he seems to be more worried about how much money you/he make vs be prepared for his additional responsibilities in a junior leadership position. You need to not be concerned, you did nothing at all, let him whine to himself, don't discuss it, it's not your battle. There is nothing you can say or do to help him with his dilemma.
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