Posted on May 18, 2014
Why does the Army discriminate against single soldiers?
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First let me say I am biased in my opinion since I am a single soldier. The Army stacks the deck against single soldiers, in a variety of ways. There are standards that single soldiers are forced to obey that married soldiers are not. Purely just because of their marriage.
Housing is my personal biggest area of concern being a single soldier. I am a 27 yr old college graduate. I get the same "rights" in my living quarters that a single 17/18 yr old straight out of high-school would get. If that same soldier is married, they get considerably more freedom, pay, and budget control than I do.
I as a single soldier get no say in where I live. At my current duty station the BAH for my rank and dependent status (Single, E-4) would be $1,068. So I essentially pay $1,068 dollars a month to live in the barracks. The barracks I live in have two separate bedrooms, with a common kitchen and bathroom area. Since there are two soldiers in each little barracks apartment, we collectively pay $2,136 a month for this set up. That is FAR more then what a similar apartment style would cost in the surrounding communities. If single soldiers were allowed to have BAH and live where they choose we could potentially save several hundred dollars a month by controlling our living expenses. That's not including the approximately $300 a month we are forced to pay for the DFACs.
There is also the issue of furniture in the barracks. Again we have no say, we get whatever the Army already has in the room. Personally I would love to have an actual nice mattress, instead of these cheap plastic blue ones.
Barracks inspections. I can't stand barracks inspections. The inspections are completely up to the person doing them and what they "think" the standard should be. One inspection your could be fine, the next one your getting lectured about how to make a bed. Last summer I had to write a 2 page paper for an LT about personal standards in the barracks. All because my bed didn't have hospital corners. (That morning when I get up I tossed my blanket off to the right of me, where it was just sorta crunched up against the wall running the length of my bed.) If I want to know what I am allowed to have and not have in my room, I have to read three different policy letters to find out. Division could allow something, Brigade could say no, and then Battalion have nothing about it at all. I get that lower commands are allowed to restrict privileges as they see fit. I'm just saying it's cumbersome to have to read three different levels policy to find out what is what.
It annoys me that I have to have periodic inspections(currently every morning before PT for my company) while married soldiers receive no inspections just because they are married. I get that they have a family, I just don't see why that should stop a squad leader from making a planned, announced, and visual walk-through of the house of the married soldier. Keeping the same standard of living as a single soldier should be part of the military life.
Meal Deductions. I don't think the DFACs are worth the $300 a month I have to pay. I hate having to "play" the "I am a Meal Card Holder" card to get lunch sometimes during work. It's usually followed by a married soldier saying "I'm working thru lunch, you don't see me bitching about wanting to leave for food". True. However when we miss our lunch it's gone. The money we paid is gone rather we ate that meal or not. Married people if they bring their lunch it'll still be there later. If they eat out, then well that's just money they didn't spend that day. They can use it tomorrow to get twice as much for lunch or eat somewhere more expensive depending on their budget.
We get no say in what sounds good for dinner. It's whatever the DFAC has. Sometimes that means either fried or grilled chicken. If they run out of one thing, it'll be whatever they have left. It's not right. It leaves married people with control over their diet and single soldiers with whatever the Army needed to clean out of the fridge.
The above is just Big Army things, the discrimination continues all the way down to the company level. At my company single soldiers who live in the barracks are not allowed to park in the lot in front of the company. Now our barracks is approximately 3/4 mile down the road. Our motor pool is another 3/4 mile the other direction. I find it silly that an entire parking lot is reserved for married people. Sure single soldiers can drive to work, but we have to park in the barracks across the street. Which is not the barracks we live in. Married people can't park in that same lot if the one in front of company is full? To a point I can understand the reasoning behind this, but single soldiers have to leave and run here and there just like our married counter-parts. Why should they get special parking treatment? I don't see anyone stopping married people from using the barracks washers and dryers to avoid buying their own/going to coin laundry mats. Why are married people allowed to dip their hands in our honey and slap ours away from theirs?
Like I said from the start I'm biased. I look over the fence and see greener grass. Perhaps this is all just one single soldier bitching and complaining.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Update FEB 2019: Since I originally posted this message, I have gotten married. My view on the subject has not changed. I want to respond to some of the overarching themes in everyone responses.
“Quit bitching/whining/complaining.” I feel there is a difference between logically laying out issues and grievances and just bitching about them. The number of leaders who contributions on this post/topic amounted to “quit saying words” is disheartening.
“Get married/Army will issue you a wife.” Saying to get married just to move out of the barracks is a failure of leadership. Those of you (in my opinion) with that mentally should reconsider what you do/did and what your job is/was. As a former Infantry NCO I have dealt with the countless issues that arise when a soldier quickly marries someone for the wrong reason (example: get out of the barracks). The domestic issues, spouse calling in to the Staff Duty, soldier isn’t training because of counseling/FAP/court/Divorce related nonsense, greatly diminishes readiness which the last I checked the Army still considers to be pretty important.
“I had more money/I wish I was back in the barracks/ but but bills! etc.” Bull. I wish I could challenge anyone who says that to actually prove it. As stated, I am married now. I have more money, flexibility, and financial freedom then I did as a single E-4. Now some of that is because I’m a higher rank. Part of it is because I use BAH as intended to cover housing/bills, my BAS for food, and having the control over how much I spend on those two items is very important. Also, my spouse works. I have come to realize that is less than common for married soldiers in the Army. However, I would argue that getting married and not having both spouses working is a decision that you made going in to it. I’m not arguing/stating if it’s the right or wrong choice. It’s what you decided worked for ya’ll. To me it’s the equivalent of a private going out and buying that 23% interest Mustang then complaining about how much money it costs and how he used to have it so much better without that car payment. If you choose (by getting married/having kids) to feed/house/care for additional people (spouse/kids) and yet do nothing to increase your income than yeah…you’ll have less money. That is a very poor argument for what the original post was about.
a. Hopefully ^above^ I’ve made my point clear and concise seems a little muddy to me, I guess we shall see in future comments.
“Move off post.” That’s not an option. Well I guess it is, however single soldiers still have to maintain the barracks room they get assigned, they still wouldn’t get the BAH entitlement, and they would have to still pay the DFAC out of their BAS. Do I need to continue on the ignorance of that statement? Sure, there’s a packet you can submit and ask to receive those allowances, I’ve only ever seen get accepted once and that was when my BDE changed from Light to Armored, only for E-5s, and it was suggested only if they were on orders and would be PCS’ing soon anyhow. They wanted non-PCS’ing E-5s still in the barracks. I don’t recall if I stated it in my original post but that unofficial additional duty of being an NCO at the barracks is crap. “You’re an NCO at the barracks keep everyone in line down there after work and on weekends”, thought that’s what CQ was for. I’ll also comment on the “single people off post would party to much/be late to formation/traffic at the gates/ get in trouble in town more” line of nonsense. It’s ignorant. Along with the “paying dues” comments.
Veterans- I appreciate you are still active in the boarder military community, and recognize that your time in the service paved the way for what we did/do/have accomplished today. However, pointing out how things were worse yesterday compared today and to “suck it up” is lazy. There is no reason we can’t keep pointing out things today to make tomorrow even better. I’m sure there is crap I can’t even fathom that ya’ll dealt with back in the 60s, 80s, and what have you that were fixed because of people continuing to bring the issue up.
Lastly, I’ve enjoyed reading the varied amount of responses everyone has on the topic. If mine come off as aggressive or across the line it was not my intention. When I posted the original stuff above 4+ almost 5 years ago I never expected it to get attention and still receive emails notifications years later. I’m fairly sure I’ve read 90% of the comments because Rally Point sends me an email every time someone comments. No I did not add that picture at the top, it’s the website. Sorry if you clicked on a Rally Point ad somewhere that linked to this post only to see it’s from 2014. I don’t control those. It’s the website. Yes I’m sure there are a few grammar and spelling errors. If you point it out at the beginning of a comment, I’m more likely to see it and correct the issue. Cheers to several more years of being told why I’m wrong.
Housing is my personal biggest area of concern being a single soldier. I am a 27 yr old college graduate. I get the same "rights" in my living quarters that a single 17/18 yr old straight out of high-school would get. If that same soldier is married, they get considerably more freedom, pay, and budget control than I do.
I as a single soldier get no say in where I live. At my current duty station the BAH for my rank and dependent status (Single, E-4) would be $1,068. So I essentially pay $1,068 dollars a month to live in the barracks. The barracks I live in have two separate bedrooms, with a common kitchen and bathroom area. Since there are two soldiers in each little barracks apartment, we collectively pay $2,136 a month for this set up. That is FAR more then what a similar apartment style would cost in the surrounding communities. If single soldiers were allowed to have BAH and live where they choose we could potentially save several hundred dollars a month by controlling our living expenses. That's not including the approximately $300 a month we are forced to pay for the DFACs.
There is also the issue of furniture in the barracks. Again we have no say, we get whatever the Army already has in the room. Personally I would love to have an actual nice mattress, instead of these cheap plastic blue ones.
Barracks inspections. I can't stand barracks inspections. The inspections are completely up to the person doing them and what they "think" the standard should be. One inspection your could be fine, the next one your getting lectured about how to make a bed. Last summer I had to write a 2 page paper for an LT about personal standards in the barracks. All because my bed didn't have hospital corners. (That morning when I get up I tossed my blanket off to the right of me, where it was just sorta crunched up against the wall running the length of my bed.) If I want to know what I am allowed to have and not have in my room, I have to read three different policy letters to find out. Division could allow something, Brigade could say no, and then Battalion have nothing about it at all. I get that lower commands are allowed to restrict privileges as they see fit. I'm just saying it's cumbersome to have to read three different levels policy to find out what is what.
It annoys me that I have to have periodic inspections(currently every morning before PT for my company) while married soldiers receive no inspections just because they are married. I get that they have a family, I just don't see why that should stop a squad leader from making a planned, announced, and visual walk-through of the house of the married soldier. Keeping the same standard of living as a single soldier should be part of the military life.
Meal Deductions. I don't think the DFACs are worth the $300 a month I have to pay. I hate having to "play" the "I am a Meal Card Holder" card to get lunch sometimes during work. It's usually followed by a married soldier saying "I'm working thru lunch, you don't see me bitching about wanting to leave for food". True. However when we miss our lunch it's gone. The money we paid is gone rather we ate that meal or not. Married people if they bring their lunch it'll still be there later. If they eat out, then well that's just money they didn't spend that day. They can use it tomorrow to get twice as much for lunch or eat somewhere more expensive depending on their budget.
We get no say in what sounds good for dinner. It's whatever the DFAC has. Sometimes that means either fried or grilled chicken. If they run out of one thing, it'll be whatever they have left. It's not right. It leaves married people with control over their diet and single soldiers with whatever the Army needed to clean out of the fridge.
The above is just Big Army things, the discrimination continues all the way down to the company level. At my company single soldiers who live in the barracks are not allowed to park in the lot in front of the company. Now our barracks is approximately 3/4 mile down the road. Our motor pool is another 3/4 mile the other direction. I find it silly that an entire parking lot is reserved for married people. Sure single soldiers can drive to work, but we have to park in the barracks across the street. Which is not the barracks we live in. Married people can't park in that same lot if the one in front of company is full? To a point I can understand the reasoning behind this, but single soldiers have to leave and run here and there just like our married counter-parts. Why should they get special parking treatment? I don't see anyone stopping married people from using the barracks washers and dryers to avoid buying their own/going to coin laundry mats. Why are married people allowed to dip their hands in our honey and slap ours away from theirs?
Like I said from the start I'm biased. I look over the fence and see greener grass. Perhaps this is all just one single soldier bitching and complaining.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Update FEB 2019: Since I originally posted this message, I have gotten married. My view on the subject has not changed. I want to respond to some of the overarching themes in everyone responses.
“Quit bitching/whining/complaining.” I feel there is a difference between logically laying out issues and grievances and just bitching about them. The number of leaders who contributions on this post/topic amounted to “quit saying words” is disheartening.
“Get married/Army will issue you a wife.” Saying to get married just to move out of the barracks is a failure of leadership. Those of you (in my opinion) with that mentally should reconsider what you do/did and what your job is/was. As a former Infantry NCO I have dealt with the countless issues that arise when a soldier quickly marries someone for the wrong reason (example: get out of the barracks). The domestic issues, spouse calling in to the Staff Duty, soldier isn’t training because of counseling/FAP/court/Divorce related nonsense, greatly diminishes readiness which the last I checked the Army still considers to be pretty important.
“I had more money/I wish I was back in the barracks/ but but bills! etc.” Bull. I wish I could challenge anyone who says that to actually prove it. As stated, I am married now. I have more money, flexibility, and financial freedom then I did as a single E-4. Now some of that is because I’m a higher rank. Part of it is because I use BAH as intended to cover housing/bills, my BAS for food, and having the control over how much I spend on those two items is very important. Also, my spouse works. I have come to realize that is less than common for married soldiers in the Army. However, I would argue that getting married and not having both spouses working is a decision that you made going in to it. I’m not arguing/stating if it’s the right or wrong choice. It’s what you decided worked for ya’ll. To me it’s the equivalent of a private going out and buying that 23% interest Mustang then complaining about how much money it costs and how he used to have it so much better without that car payment. If you choose (by getting married/having kids) to feed/house/care for additional people (spouse/kids) and yet do nothing to increase your income than yeah…you’ll have less money. That is a very poor argument for what the original post was about.
a. Hopefully ^above^ I’ve made my point clear and concise seems a little muddy to me, I guess we shall see in future comments.
“Move off post.” That’s not an option. Well I guess it is, however single soldiers still have to maintain the barracks room they get assigned, they still wouldn’t get the BAH entitlement, and they would have to still pay the DFAC out of their BAS. Do I need to continue on the ignorance of that statement? Sure, there’s a packet you can submit and ask to receive those allowances, I’ve only ever seen get accepted once and that was when my BDE changed from Light to Armored, only for E-5s, and it was suggested only if they were on orders and would be PCS’ing soon anyhow. They wanted non-PCS’ing E-5s still in the barracks. I don’t recall if I stated it in my original post but that unofficial additional duty of being an NCO at the barracks is crap. “You’re an NCO at the barracks keep everyone in line down there after work and on weekends”, thought that’s what CQ was for. I’ll also comment on the “single people off post would party to much/be late to formation/traffic at the gates/ get in trouble in town more” line of nonsense. It’s ignorant. Along with the “paying dues” comments.
Veterans- I appreciate you are still active in the boarder military community, and recognize that your time in the service paved the way for what we did/do/have accomplished today. However, pointing out how things were worse yesterday compared today and to “suck it up” is lazy. There is no reason we can’t keep pointing out things today to make tomorrow even better. I’m sure there is crap I can’t even fathom that ya’ll dealt with back in the 60s, 80s, and what have you that were fixed because of people continuing to bring the issue up.
Lastly, I’ve enjoyed reading the varied amount of responses everyone has on the topic. If mine come off as aggressive or across the line it was not my intention. When I posted the original stuff above 4+ almost 5 years ago I never expected it to get attention and still receive emails notifications years later. I’m fairly sure I’ve read 90% of the comments because Rally Point sends me an email every time someone comments. No I did not add that picture at the top, it’s the website. Sorry if you clicked on a Rally Point ad somewhere that linked to this post only to see it’s from 2014. I don’t control those. It’s the website. Yes I’m sure there are a few grammar and spelling errors. If you point it out at the beginning of a comment, I’m more likely to see it and correct the issue. Cheers to several more years of being told why I’m wrong.
Posted in these groups: 
Barracks
BAS
Marriage
DiscriminationBetter Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) President
Barracks BAS Marriage DiscriminationBetter Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) President
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 488
You have valid points but look at the bright side: at least you aren't married. You will have money in the bank after a deployment, you don't have to worry about Jodie making himself at home while you are away, and you don't have ex wives sucking you dry with alimony and child support.
Almost without exception the SMs I knew who married were absolutely miserable. It may not seem like it but you really are getting the better deal.
Almost without exception the SMs I knew who married were absolutely miserable. It may not seem like it but you really are getting the better deal.
The barracks situation has improved tremendously over the years.
Keep in mind, there is also on post housing for which SMs don't get an allowance. The trade off is, no rent or utility bills. The same as the barracks, but with dependents. Which brings me to my next point... The "additional money" we get for having dependents does not completely offset the cost of said dependents. If you want to find out, get married.
This is just a ridiculous rant. Maybe it would be best for you to finish your tour and ETS...
Keep in mind, there is also on post housing for which SMs don't get an allowance. The trade off is, no rent or utility bills. The same as the barracks, but with dependents. Which brings me to my next point... The "additional money" we get for having dependents does not completely offset the cost of said dependents. If you want to find out, get married.
This is just a ridiculous rant. Maybe it would be best for you to finish your tour and ETS...
Forgive me. I don't have anything constructive to add nor anything that might address your plight. I'm stuck on your opening sentences"...I am a 27 yr old college graduate...my rank and dependent status (Single, E-4)...I get the same "rights" in my living quarters that a single 17/18 yr old straight out of high-school would get..."
Pay and benefits are based on rank and time in service, aren't they? The only supplemental benefits that I ever heard of were allowances to those who had to live on the civilian economy because there weren't adequate facilities on post for them. Has that changed?
Once, during a brief posting to Fort Ben Harrison, three of us (01s) got together and rented an apartment because there was no room in the BOQ for us. We received a special allowance during that time which went pretty far since we were sharing expenses. Can enlisted personnel do the same thing these days?
I joined the Army as an E1 at age 23 with a law degree, and I was lumped together with many 17 and 18-year old high school graduates. I spent the first year at Infantry School working my way up to O1.
Is there something holding you back?
Again, I'm sorry. I know that none of this bears on the question you raised.
Allow me to proceed.
Those among my "peers" during that first year who were married suffered for it. Their spouses had to find work or stay at home with parents. From what I'm seeing of young military families today, they aren't much better off regardless of any "special" benefits they are receiving. Our veterans groups are collecting food, money, and diapers to help them out. No, we aren't helping the bachelors living in the barracks. We have heard of any need there.
Thus, I wouldn't suggest getting married for any special benefits. It seems they don't stretch very far...
Pay and benefits are based on rank and time in service, aren't they? The only supplemental benefits that I ever heard of were allowances to those who had to live on the civilian economy because there weren't adequate facilities on post for them. Has that changed?
Once, during a brief posting to Fort Ben Harrison, three of us (01s) got together and rented an apartment because there was no room in the BOQ for us. We received a special allowance during that time which went pretty far since we were sharing expenses. Can enlisted personnel do the same thing these days?
I joined the Army as an E1 at age 23 with a law degree, and I was lumped together with many 17 and 18-year old high school graduates. I spent the first year at Infantry School working my way up to O1.
Is there something holding you back?
Again, I'm sorry. I know that none of this bears on the question you raised.
Allow me to proceed.
Those among my "peers" during that first year who were married suffered for it. Their spouses had to find work or stay at home with parents. From what I'm seeing of young military families today, they aren't much better off regardless of any "special" benefits they are receiving. Our veterans groups are collecting food, money, and diapers to help them out. No, we aren't helping the bachelors living in the barracks. We have heard of any need there.
Thus, I wouldn't suggest getting married for any special benefits. It seems they don't stretch very far...
SGT Debra Jahnel
As a 33 year old, single, female, E-5 stationed at Ft. Meade, MD (after 18 mos living on the economy in Greece), I couldn't stand the room I had in the barracks, so I paid out of pocket for an apartment. Was it expensive? Based on my pay, yes. Was it worth it? Hell, yes. Options exist and it's your own fault if you don't take them.
That said, I do agree that as a single soldier in the barracks at Ft. Campbell, KY, I was perturbed by the additional duties I had to perform because younger, lower-ranking, married soldiers had family duties that were given priority to the readiness of our unit. From a financial standpoint, I have no argument with the military system - after I ETS'd I married into the Air Force, trading my green card for a pink one (THAT was a terrible feeling!) and saw the other side of the story.
That said, I do agree that as a single soldier in the barracks at Ft. Campbell, KY, I was perturbed by the additional duties I had to perform because younger, lower-ranking, married soldiers had family duties that were given priority to the readiness of our unit. From a financial standpoint, I have no argument with the military system - after I ETS'd I married into the Air Force, trading my green card for a pink one (THAT was a terrible feeling!) and saw the other side of the story.
LCDR Mike Morrissey
SGT Debra Jahnel - “the terrible feeling”...know what you mean. My wife and I met on active duty. For a time, I was a pink card husband. When I responded to an offer to come back in, I had a reserve card, a dependent card and my active duty card in my possession—yes, not a usual thing. Guess which ones never saw the light of day. The others were shredded a bit later. The Navy pay system took awhile to catch up, but we kept the overpayments set aside for when it did. Three months later my wife transitioned to the drilling reserves. When she was recalled for Desert Storm, I was retired but I brought under her active duty CHAMPUS (now TRICARE) and she received married w child BAQ. Now I had gray and pink cards. For 7 months DFAS Cleveland and I stayed in close contact over payday stuff.
Probably a mute point, and someone may have already made it, but remember that it is not the Army doing anything when it comes to pay/benefits. It is the Department of Defense, as authorized by the US Congress that controls our pay/benefits. May not make you feel any better, but worth thinking about.
SGT Matthew Agnew
A great point sir which really allows us to look at the part of the problem we can directly effect. Which of course would be the treatment of single soldiers. I've seen all too often single soldiers being treated like lesser beings to facilitate an easier experience for married soldiers and quite frankly it's downright wrong. But the military as a whole loves to use it's lesser beings.
PFC (Join to see)
Yet, other branches allow E-3 And E-4 to move out of the barracks after 2 years and receive without dependents BAH while the Army makes you stay in barracks until E-6...
Cpl J P
You are correct but something is going on. Try eating in an Air Force chow hall then a USMC chow hall and you will see a definite difference. The same goes for the barracks and base MWR. At one point for a while we were ordered to go to the chow hall and sign in even if we did not eat so they could get funding. I always wondered what happened to the money if we did not eat in the chow hall after that.
SGT Debra Jahnel
PFC (Join to see) - My Army job required that I work alongside all other branches of service. Yes, they had perks we didn't - Air Force chow halls were great; Navy base services were excellent; Marines - well, they were Marines! (Hey, little sis!). BUT WE MADE RANK much faster and honestly - much more easily. So we had more money in pocket to take more control of our lives. (At Ft. Campbell, we moved into a relatively new barracks after the grunts had had it for a couple of years - there were human bite marks in the molded plastic chairs! Those guys knew how to have fun living on base.)
Why is there so much complaining about what other people have vs what the complainer has?
Some great advice I recieved many years ago, "stay in your lane", "stay challenged and you will do well".
Yes barracks life can suck if all you can do is look at what others have and see it only in a negative light.
It can also be some of the best times you will have with your brothers (and sisters) in arms.
Lastly, you have your own room??? You only have to share the bathroom with ONE other Soldier???
Some great advice I recieved many years ago, "stay in your lane", "stay challenged and you will do well".
Yes barracks life can suck if all you can do is look at what others have and see it only in a negative light.
It can also be some of the best times you will have with your brothers (and sisters) in arms.
Lastly, you have your own room??? You only have to share the bathroom with ONE other Soldier???
I still had money to save while living in the barracks. Not only did I have a TSP but I saved on the side too. It's all a matter of perspective. I was at Knox, camp Casey, and Carson and every one of them was the same in that the Barracks were full of drunk soldiers, hookers, and pizza delivery guys every weekend. I made my own meals on my electric skillet, rice cooker, or micro wave and didn't care much about the meal deductions. I never had a problem with inspections as I kept my room organized. I had a lot of things but MY unit wasn't worried about little things like hospital corners. They understood there is a difference between dirty, messy, or just a little disorganized. I had been to a lot of married junior NCO houses and they were absolutely disgusting. So, I agree on some of this but mostly I say "Suck it up buttercup." I'm not one to let people walk on me but i also knew I signed up for a life where I'd have to learn to live without.
What all you single guys fail to comprehend is how insanely expensive it is to be married and raise kids, especially if your spouse doesn't/can't work. as a single soldier all of your basic needs are provided and you get to spend almost your entire paycheck on whatever shiney new toy you like. I have seen this situation from both sides of the fence and you single guys have nothing to complain about.
PO2 Karl Lehn
LTC (Join to see) - single officers get BAH and BAS and have to pay for room and board. Enlisted personnel don't automatically get BAH/BAQ or BAS although there have been cases where its been granted by the command. Then they have to pay room and board too. In the Navy as an enlisted I had a bed on my ship and a home where my wife and kids lived with me when I was off. I still ate onboard ship for two meals in port except for duty day where I ate three meals and when the ship was at sea. When on sea duty I did not get BAS. Navy officers get BAH and BAS and have to pay for their food even at sea. Navy Chiefs contributed to their food bill monthly in addition to what the Navy purchased for them. Navy Chiefs ate better than the officers, trust me.
LTC (Join to see)
SSgt Joseph Baptist - more whining from the poor picked on single soldier. If you want the benefits that married soldiers get, do like 90% of PVTs and marry a stripper.
I say this a lot... but I mean no disrespect... but I am tired not of the word "discriminate' but mostly how freely we (myself included) throw it around. Everyone at one time or another has felt some form of actual discrimination. Be it age, race, religion, military affiliation... But whenever a person feels something unfair has befallen them it is instantly discrimination...
Which is basically defined as: a term used to deny someone the equal protection of the laws and to treat all people the same.
Well if that's the case my wife discriminates against me because she treats her mother differently... My daughter has discriminated against us both (depending on the issue) and the cat discriminates against me all the time!
Sometimes we can control the environment sometimes we can't. But how much of the discrimination is real and how much is perceived? In an all voluntary service it could be viewed two ways. Those with family should be assisted... but are they being rewarded for having families? How much does the pay increase actually cover in regards to the cost of having a family? Is the Military an extension of the welfare state... I have heard that argument numerous times. I don't think that (my opinion).
I can see and think that single soldiers may have a valid point but they don't understand the added responsibility and hardships that go along with a family nor is it their fault that their 'battle buddy' chose the get married.
But is it discrimination? The military provides, housing, food, healthcare, uniforms, education...everything... there is only one other place that offers all that... Prison...
Which is basically defined as: a term used to deny someone the equal protection of the laws and to treat all people the same.
Well if that's the case my wife discriminates against me because she treats her mother differently... My daughter has discriminated against us both (depending on the issue) and the cat discriminates against me all the time!
Sometimes we can control the environment sometimes we can't. But how much of the discrimination is real and how much is perceived? In an all voluntary service it could be viewed two ways. Those with family should be assisted... but are they being rewarded for having families? How much does the pay increase actually cover in regards to the cost of having a family? Is the Military an extension of the welfare state... I have heard that argument numerous times. I don't think that (my opinion).
I can see and think that single soldiers may have a valid point but they don't understand the added responsibility and hardships that go along with a family nor is it their fault that their 'battle buddy' chose the get married.
But is it discrimination? The military provides, housing, food, healthcare, uniforms, education...everything... there is only one other place that offers all that... Prison...
SSG Pete Fleming
MAJ Carl Ballinger, sir you are most likely 100% correct. But it doesn't change the fact that I think it one of many overly used words in our now PC entitlement geared society...
In the 17.5 years I was in I do not recall ever really being discriminated against as a single soldier. I do recall having issues when I had kids, however that was not the military's fault. I also watched mothers of 6 week old children ship out to mobilize in the Middle East. I had to pull special strings to get a soldier back early for R&R to see his child born.
I don;t think it is a discrimination against single soldiers. I think it is a new mentality where we have an influx of soldiers who think they are entitled.
I don;t think it is a discrimination against single soldiers. I think it is a new mentality where we have an influx of soldiers who think they are entitled.
SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson)
As for the living conditions I believe that is also based on where you are located. The more family friendly posts and bases obviously have it better for the dependents. The less friendly are more minimalist.
LTC (Join to see)
SPC Brian Baxter - when I lived in the barracks it was 4 men to a room, communal latrine down the hall, no fridge in the room, no microwave; just a bare cinderblock walled room with 4 bunks and 4 wall lockers. No kitchen anywhere.
SPC Terry Newman
I was in for 4 years my first duty station leadership was excellent. Holidays saw no special treatment for married over single and leadership made sure all barracks soldiers were invited to homes for holiday meals. If GIparties happened on the weekends married soldiers were there and worked. No real hey you weekend details either. My second duty station was basically the opposite and the main reason I got out. Most weekend and holiday duty was only barracks personnel and if you were of you left post to avoid hey you details. No offers from leadership on holidays. If you didnt take leave good luck finding something to do off post. This was why I didnt reup toxic leadership toward lower enlisted.
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with all your bitterness, I hope that tax payer funded medical retirement check eases your emotional pain some SSgt Joseph Baptist