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I propose this question to all, Seniors, Peers and Subordinates to see if anyone agrees with me.
I feel that the Army does not place enough personal responsibility on Soldiers who live in the barracks.
By this I mean, most of the Soldiers that do live in the barracks, are single, and between the ages of 18-22. Meaning this is their first job, first time away from home, and their first time ever having to manage their own personal Finances. To soften the blow, the army provides them with Housing, Meals, and a Clothing allowance. (IE. Roof over their head, food in their mouth, and the clothes on their back)
A majority of these Soldiers will not re-enlist. So when they ETS, they still have no real experience of providing for themselves. Their only financial experience they may have is maybe paying for a Vehicle / Insurance / Registration, a Cell phone bill, and possibly a Credit Card. When those Soldiers do leave the service, they are just as unprepared for the real world as before they joined.
Or even If they get married, as soon as a soldier gets married, they immediately have to learn how to provide for themselves and a spouse. Pay rent, pay for utilities, learn how to properly budget for their family, to many times have I seen newly married soldiers eating nothing but Ramen Noodles, and Macaroni and Cheese, because neither the Soldier or their spouse knows how to cook anything else, that or they didn’t properly budget, that was all they could afford
Here is what I would like to see in the future.
Single Soldiers in the barracks should receive some type of BAH. Which would be taking out as if they were a married soldier living in post housing. This would allow for the ability to maintain a higher standard of living in the barracks, and to also give the Soldiers a sense of pride in their barracks, and the responsibility of paying for their home.
Single Soldiers, should have a Split BAS. This gives the soldier the option to purchase food, and still eat at the DFAC. Giving them the opportunity to learn how to budget, plan, prepare and cook for themselves.
Maybe it’s just me but I feel that we should be better preparing our Soldiers for their future, whether that is as a Soldier or a Civilian
I feel that the Army does not place enough personal responsibility on Soldiers who live in the barracks.
By this I mean, most of the Soldiers that do live in the barracks, are single, and between the ages of 18-22. Meaning this is their first job, first time away from home, and their first time ever having to manage their own personal Finances. To soften the blow, the army provides them with Housing, Meals, and a Clothing allowance. (IE. Roof over their head, food in their mouth, and the clothes on their back)
A majority of these Soldiers will not re-enlist. So when they ETS, they still have no real experience of providing for themselves. Their only financial experience they may have is maybe paying for a Vehicle / Insurance / Registration, a Cell phone bill, and possibly a Credit Card. When those Soldiers do leave the service, they are just as unprepared for the real world as before they joined.
Or even If they get married, as soon as a soldier gets married, they immediately have to learn how to provide for themselves and a spouse. Pay rent, pay for utilities, learn how to properly budget for their family, to many times have I seen newly married soldiers eating nothing but Ramen Noodles, and Macaroni and Cheese, because neither the Soldier or their spouse knows how to cook anything else, that or they didn’t properly budget, that was all they could afford
Here is what I would like to see in the future.
Single Soldiers in the barracks should receive some type of BAH. Which would be taking out as if they were a married soldier living in post housing. This would allow for the ability to maintain a higher standard of living in the barracks, and to also give the Soldiers a sense of pride in their barracks, and the responsibility of paying for their home.
Single Soldiers, should have a Split BAS. This gives the soldier the option to purchase food, and still eat at the DFAC. Giving them the opportunity to learn how to budget, plan, prepare and cook for themselves.
Maybe it’s just me but I feel that we should be better preparing our Soldiers for their future, whether that is as a Soldier or a Civilian
Barracks
BAH
BAS
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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How about we just pay them more for the service they give to their country. How much would it cost to pay more to the members of society who make up only 1% of the 1%? Pay them more and it will all work out in the end!!! Thank you for serving.
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I agree with General Fleming. Paying soldiers more would help with a multitude of issues.
But to the point of the post. I think we’re underestimating the intelligence and discipline of these soldiers, at the point that their leaving the service. As long as they can find employment, these men and women understand that they will have to pay rent and their other bills. It’s not that hard of an adjustment... again, provided that they have the finances to be able to afford rent and housing.
I don’t think we provide the soldiers with too much. As a matter of fact, during SFL-TAP and throughout their career the soldiers have access to financial counseling and budgeting education. I actually think we should provide soldiers with everything they need to thrive since they made the honorable choice of serving their country, and the greatest, best funded military in the world.
But to the point of the post. I think we’re underestimating the intelligence and discipline of these soldiers, at the point that their leaving the service. As long as they can find employment, these men and women understand that they will have to pay rent and their other bills. It’s not that hard of an adjustment... again, provided that they have the finances to be able to afford rent and housing.
I don’t think we provide the soldiers with too much. As a matter of fact, during SFL-TAP and throughout their career the soldiers have access to financial counseling and budgeting education. I actually think we should provide soldiers with everything they need to thrive since they made the honorable choice of serving their country, and the greatest, best funded military in the world.
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Is it really that different than just being in college where you have a meal plan, a dorm room and your parents send food/clothes; or when someone moves out of the house to find a job? At some point they'll have to learn it on their own just like nonmilitary people do.
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