I get BAH too?

[Snoopy47]

Well, I'll only get about about 1/3 of BAH but I will get that too while I'm in BCT/AIT apparently.

Now, I really wish I knew, and for those wondering if the civilain world is any better I thought I was making a lot as a civilian with a master's degree.

Nope. I'd be making $25K more as a slow promoted 39 year old O3 with 18 years in.

Or I'd be making the same as a WO2 with 18 years in.

Now granted I make more than any enlisted level I could realistically obtain at my age, but not much more than the E6 kid that recrutied me.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, this really pisses me off. BAH ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for my grade (E4) is MORE THAN I MADE with my degree right out of college when I was 22.

Be very careful what you wish for.

[todd2968]

From your rambling I think I heard your recruiter put you in the Army as E-4 and you have a master's degree. You must not be married or you should receive the full Basic housing allowance.

[shooterfpga]

i didnt understand your post either. from what i gathered, you made less than 24k out of college? and you're making 48k now? that sucks bro, im sorry to hear that you still make less than a new journeyman ironworker.

[Snoopy47]

i didnt understand your post either. from what i gathered, you made less than 24k out of college? and you're making 48k now? that sucks bro, im sorry to hear that you still make less than a new journeyman ironworker.

I meant 15 years ago BAH for a single E4 is more than I made out of college in 1995.

I'm surpised recruters don't talk up the BAH aspect more. I use to think I made as much as an O4 relative to my age, but really, I'm in line with an WO2 with 18 years in service.

The military is a pretty good gig isn't it. An active duty E4 is going to be pushing $50K depending on local. WOW.............. One can enlist at 17. Add 3 years, become an E4 in that time, and do pretty well for a 20 year old.

[all torque]

Well, BAH is not a guarantee. In the Marine Corps you will be stuck living in the Barracks up untill you're a Sergeant unless you get married. Right now with this economy and budget cuts we are pulling all of our single Sergeants back in to the barracks living. I think it sucks for them but it is what it is. But you are correct, pay in the military is alot better than most think.

[shooterfpga]

Well, BAH is not a guarantee. In the Marine Corps you will be stuck living in the Barracks up untill you're a Sergeant unless you get married. Right now with this economy and budget cuts we are pulling all of our single Sergeants back in to the barracks living. I think it sucks for them but it is what it is. But you are correct, pay in the military is alot better than most think.

its only better when you calculate the total package. the armed forces are over manned right now. you will be seeing a lot more people being forced out as the war effort continues to draw down again.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[Tom Slick]

I meant 15 years ago BAH for a single E4 is more than I made out of college in 1995.

I'm surpised recruters don't talk up the BAH aspect more. I use to think I made as much as an O4 relative to my age, but really, I'm in line with an WO2 with 18 years in service.

The military is a pretty good gig isn't it. An active duty E4 is going to be pushing $50K depending on local. WOW.............. One can enlist at 17. Add 3 years, become an E4 in that time, and do pretty well for a 20 year old.

Ssshhh! Don't say things like this! You'll dispel the myth that all of the military is underpaid!!

I looked at the current pay chart to see what I would be making if I stayed in and was stationed in my area: A married E-6, with 17 years in, makes the equivalent to a civilian salary of $78k per year.
A single E-4, with 4 years in, makes the equivalent to a civilian salary of $48k per year. In 1998 (when I got out) I was paid $24k per year.

[themailman]

Im finishing up my first enlistment. My wife and I pull in nearly 6 figures. Didn't think that would happen in the military....

[sl4ck3r]

the healthcare is badass.

[todd2968]

My last year in the Navy based in San Diego E-6 I made 70k last year when I retire I will make 14-16k a year because I not longer get BAH. Other people put 30-35 year in and get 150% of their pay.

[EOD3]

I'd have to check with my alternate memory unit (wife) but, IIRC my base pay was $144 a month. When Reagan put his foot down and demanded a better wage for military members, my pay went up to GASP $300 and change a month.

[Arondos]

You don't get 150% of your pay ever that I know of. 50% at twenty years. 75% at 30 years. And a recent change.

From military.com

Anyone retiring after January 1, 2007 with more than 30 years of total active service will receive credit for service over 30 years. For example, a member who served 32 years will receive 80 percent of their retired pay base and a member who has served 42 years will receive 105 percent of their retired pay base. In most cases, there is no longer a cap on the percentage multiplier to be utilized in the computation of retired pay.

[Snoopy47]

I just like to look up these threads from "way back".

I am entering my Below Zone year for............... wait for it...................

MAJOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm totally NOT going to pick up major for FY25, but I'll at least have knocked out my board file for such, and will highly likely make it for 2026.

After my 27 months of company command time (as 1LT) I went into a defensive career mentality and totally went after straight forward staff positions right before I became a CPT. My CPT time has been very tame. Oh mind you I picked up two ARCOM's as a TPU CPT and two top block evals, but I've learned how to stay out of the kill zone which I was square in the center of as a Company Commander.

Now........... there are UPSIDES!!!!!! to not getting picked up for MAJ this FY.

I signed a 3 year promise to say for a bonus of $10K. It expires this year. So I can renew it in the beginning of FY26.

Now, in order to get said bonus one has to be a CPT or a MAJ and have completed their next PME for promotion (which I have to make the next rank of MAJ).

If I pick up MAJ now, this year then I will not be qualified for the bonus. I'd have to enroll and knock out the school for LTC, which is going to take quite a while and I'll miss the bonus.

If I'm not picked up early, welp........... I can sneak in getting the bonus again as I'd still be a CPT with the next level PME already done, and my bonus will expire before I'd be selected for MAJ FY26.

Wow................... this will be my last promotion whenever it comes. I'll hit 60 before I realistically would be up for LTC. I can see the dim light at the end of the tunnel and I know where it's going.

[Lonestargrizzly]

I was very confused when I saw the first post.
then I saw the date.

[Snoopy47]

I was very confused when I saw the first post.
then I saw the date.

Just feeling old

😉