Are US soldiers paid too little?

[SlowwHand]

Keep in mind that it's a minority of numbers in actual combat. It takes much more in support.

All said, there are more positives than negatives to military service.
And I used to think almost as poorly as Boris.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

What they need is funding from non US sources to augment the income as the US military is utilized for global missions and interests.

I for one was very impressed with Japan and Kuwait authorizing money to help pay American forces during the Persian Gulf conflict.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by GhengisFarb
Those rates are grossly overinflated.

The US soldier is paid under $1100 a month. They work 5:45 am to 6:00 pm in peacetime and are on call 24/7. That's 60 hours a week at best.

They do get hazard pay if they are in a warzone, I think it is $150 a month.

If a US soldier is married and has a kid they are well below poverty level and qualify for virtually EVERY welfare program in existence.

During the holidays the higher ranking soldiers and those with multiple incomes donate money to help the soldiers with families buy presents and food for their families.

Its kinda of sad that the US pays the citizens who are volunteering to give their lives up to defend the country $1064 a month and the self interested congressmen who embezzle it blind get over $200,000 a year to set on their buts.

Overinflated... I thought 1300 was low.

Now put that on the budget proposal.

I have to say this is kind of unbelievable that they are paid so low. Below poverty level (we need a faint smiley to insert here) ?!?

How come???

Can't they make someone pay them a bit more out of 400 bn budget or what. I mean 3% for 1/2 of the employees - risking life - and long hours like you mentioned - must be the most efficient use of workforce in the west.


And noone is concerned about this? Mind you I have read this in Croatian papers, never even noticed someone mentioning this in any western media. Isn't that appaling?

[chequita guevara]

No one gets paid enough to do what they do, but what American soldiers do get paid is a travesty.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
No one gets paid enough to do what they do, but what American soldiers do get paid is a travesty.

But how come noone is bringing this up in the media - at least I haven't caught it in last 7-8 years that I have been here in UK. What about US media?

[Gangerolf]

well they do get free food and accomodation?

tax benefits?

[SlowwHand]

Yes. Free room and board.

http://www.airforce.com/index_fr.htm

[Pekka]

That's too little? Come here, fight for 3 euros per day .

[SlowwHand]

Finns get paid their worth.

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

If a job doesn't pay well, don't take it. Nobody's forcing them to join the army (yet!).

If the pay is so lousy that the US army can't convince anyone to join, then the pay will be raised to make the job more attractive.

I thought America was the land of free markets? What happened to supply and demand?

[Pekka]

Six Thousand Year Old Man, Or they could just adopt my model of foreign legion .

[Pekka]

I'm telling you guys, that idea is very good! I can't believe it gets looked over and forgotten so fast.

[SlowwHand]

Yuu leave out the after service benefits.

[Gangerolf]

Yes. Free room and board.

it's not that bad then. certainly not a lot, but it doesn't seem like many are complaining either. and no ones forcing them to join either. hell I got like $14 a day and I didn't even volunteer

[SlowwHand]

I said grossly initially, but all the barracks had pool tables. Air Force food is good.
Wait a second. I'm the one that's underpaid.
I'm not getting paid recruiter pay.
You guys have the information, go figure it out yourselves.