Military Compensation Values Tends to be Higher Than Those of Civilians

Everyone knows that if you want to get rich, you join the military....

(LOL!)http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvaxsi_what-can-the-us-army-do-for-you_fun

Military compensation always touches a chord with many people and is subject to passionate debate from both sides of the aisle. In my opinion, civilian and military compensation should never be compared side by side. There are too many variables to consider that are not tangible. When compared on paper, there seems to be a valid argument that military compensation (at least at the mid to senior officer level) is somewhat comparable to similar civilian compensation. However, as has been stated numerous other times, civilians work a very typical and predictable work schedule with an extremely low risk of death. Most civilian jobs do not impact a family the same as a military job does. But those of us who serve, do not do so with the intent of becoming wealthy. We do it because of the drive within us to serve a greater glory, to serve our country and to preserve a better way of life for our future generations. We are trying to make the world a better place than what we found it. I'm not advocating that military should be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars (even though we are worth it!), but I am stating that we need to stop comparing what the military receives to what the civilian sector receives and use that as justification to reign in our benefits. We are not superior to the rest of our countrymen but since it is such a small percentage that serves to defend, I do believe we should be compensated in ways that are greater than the average citizen. If not in actual monetary benefits, then our facilities should be of the highest caliber, our equipment should be the very best, and families should be afforded the best healthcare. Just my two cents...

So, what are the losses for serving due to being forced to move, and unable to build equity in the same house, the impact to the spouse's career, the inability to quit and take another, higher paying job, or the costs of keeping a household/storage unit, car, and caretaking of any children or pets if a single service member deploys?

There are some advantages, but there are definite down sides as well.