Posted on Apr 21, 2014
What do you think about the pay gap between enlisted and officers?
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Enlisted
Officers
Military Pay
Fair Pay
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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SFC Regis,
When I was a private in the Army, I always thought the gap was unfair between enlisted and officers. As I slowly gained rank in the Army, I slowly saw the difference.
Like MSG Quick stated, "Enlisted have MANY opportunities to commission and earn that sweet pay raise".
Army is a truly the organization of new opportunity and life. Though it seems hard and complicated at times, there are many ways to become commissioned. Green to Gold, IPAP (program where Army pays the SM for all education and to earn medical degree/license?!?!), OCS, WOCS, and etc. Of course the Army won't easily give you the opportunity, you as an individual must chase it. Army won't simply sponsor everyone, she will only sponsor the dedicated ones.
Bottom line is, Officers actually do lots of work.
If anyone wants to complain about the pay, I think that specific individual already has a problem. Ever since when did Army became a entitled occupation for good pay? I joined because I love my country. I joined because I love and take pride in my profession. I joined Corps of Non-commissioned Officer because I wanted that responsibilities.
I think the gap is fair SFC Regis, however I do have to agree with SFC Leverett about CSM pay. CSM's advice is very critical to Commander's decision.
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SFC (Join to see)
To all, I am a veteran of 23 years and I have seen many changes in the Armed Forces. Although their is a substanial gap between pay between Officers and Enlisted, I think some may be looking at the pay difference from one perspective. Although generally speaking Enlisted Soldier do most of the manual labor and your NCO's drive the force. But the Officers have to make the decisions that may or may not break a Soldiers career or could change the outcome of a battle.
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I don't know that it bothers me that much. In a normal business there is generally a pay gap in-between laborers, middle management, management and CEO's. The Army is no different, there is gap in between, lower enlisted, NCO's, CW's, Officers and of course those fine folks at the Pentagon.
Do I always think the officers I encounter do more work then me no. Do they have to deal with more politics then me...yup. It is what it is, want a pay raise? go drop a packet!
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PO2 Steve Stiles
Yeah, unless your "laborers" are highly trained to operate a nuclear reactor and held to a much higher standard of conduct and responsibility than the cooks and sonarmen, let's say, for a paltry $150/month extra. And if they let everyone have an anywhere near a decent shot at being picked up for an officer program, there'd be practically no enlisted operators and that's already a problem since so few are qualified to even sign up for it... Not saying officers shouldn't get paid more, the ones I knew earned their pay and their keep (well, mostly, haha) but the gap should be less, at the very least for the highly specialized, trained & qualified roles.
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I don't think about it! I love what I do as a NCO and wouldn't want an officer's job. As long as we live within the means of what we make and not be envious of those that make more then all is well. I know NCOs of all ranks that have large families and their kids are not hungry. They may not drive a Mercedes during the week and have an Escalade for the weekends (though many do) but they make due with their life choices.
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