Boot camp pay. Help please.

[roxieb]

Hi. I am shipping out in about 4 months now and I am trying to get all my financial stuff in order. My question is about boot camp pay. At what point do you receive your pay? Is is immediately after boot, or do you have to be completely done with all the training (MCT&MOS)?

Thank you in advance for any help.

[saltyone]

Hi. I am shipping out in about 4 months now and I am trying to get all my financial stuff in order. My question is about boot camp pay. At what point do you receive your pay? Is is immediately after boot, or do you have to be completely done with all the training (MCT&MOS)?

Thank you in advance for any help.

You'll be paid at the end of boot camp. I suggest having a parent or family member help you with any and all financial obligations until you graduate. Also, your creditors may be willing to differ some or all of your payments until after you graduate. Just call and ask.

Of course...I went to boot camp 15 years ago and things may have changed since then.

[commdog7]

You get paid throughout boot camp. You can access some of it for px runs, but for the most part you have to wait until after boot to actually get it in hand. You will have a bank account with the depot. Keep in mind that you might not have as much as you expect, as uniforms and the basic issue get deducted from your pay. You will also have to purchase a plane ticket home, and possibly a plane ticket for your family if you want them there but they can't afford it. You should leave with about 1000, hopefully this helps.

[saltyone]

You get paid throughout boot camp. You can access some of it for px runs, but for the most part you have to wait until after boot to actually get it in hand. You will have a bank account with the depot. Keep in mind that you might not have as much as you expect, as uniforms and the basic issue get deducted from your pay. You will also have to purchase a plane ticket home, and possibly a plane ticket for your family if you want them there but they can't afford it. You should leave with about 1000, hopefully this helps.

They don't do chits anymore? When we would go to the little PX they would give us just enough chits to pay for what we needed. Never saw a penny until graduation. If I remember right, I only had a few hundred left after buying my plane ticket.

[commdog7]

They issued us a credit card worth 300 to start off. After we set up the bank accounts, then we got our official credit card from our bank which we used to purchase items from the px. We never got money back, never held a single penny, it was all done electronically.

[echo3oscar1833]

We got a atm/debit card while in boot camp, out in MCRD San Diego were set up with Marine Pacific Credit Union. When we went to the PX we just swiped it like you would any other debit card. Paid for our trash, and went back to training. However don't worry about the money while in boot camp, you will come out with a decent chunk of cash. Focus on why your there, and become a Marine first. You won't have time to spend money on prostitiutes, and booze while your in boot camp.:D

[roxieb]

Thank you for the replies...they were helpful. I just wanted to make sure I would be receiving my pay as early as graduation and not after ALL my training. I have bills to pay off and wanted to know how soon I can access my boot camp pay to pay them off...assuming I have anything left after the trip back home and all the uniform costs. lol. Thanks again.

[echo3oscar1833]

Thank you for the replies...they were helpful. I just wanted to make sure I would be receiving my pay as early as graduation and not after ALL my training. I have bills to pay off and wanted to know how soon I can access my boot camp pay to pay them off...assuming I have anything left after the trip back home and all the uniform costs. lol. Thanks again.

I just told you will leave boot camp with pay, you will get paid while in boot camp, end of story. Go to boot camp, become a Marine. When you get home pay your bills. Trust me when I say you won't have time to worry about that shi$ Simple and to the point. Kill:evilgrin:

[Petz]

actually you start off in the hole... you actually pay for all your initial gear yourself... then when you graduate you get your initial clothing allowance to re-imburse that.

you DO get paid through-out boot camp.

you CAN make payments with your DIs help on certain matters, like one of my fellow recruits had to transfer money for the first month until his allotment started doing it automatically... so the DIs took him on the 1st and the 15th.... or the other way around.

you CAN'T access any of that money at the PX... you just get what your DIs tell you, some people get just one item in large quatities for the gear locker while you can also get stationary stuff as well...

you NEED to let your recruiters know you have pay concerns before you go so they can note that for your DIs to see.

if you are interested in your pay you should look for the 2009 payscale and look for E-1 under 4 months.... if you got your promotion then move up (notice there is no 4 month PFC!!! that's a big pay raise!!)

[roxieb]

I see. That's great advice. Thanks.

[Petz]

correction!!! I want you to know I am now not 100% sure about the clothing allowance... but you do pay for it yourself..... if someone can confirm or disprove the clothing allowance that would be great.

[echo3oscar1833]

actually you start off in the hole... you actually pay for all your initial gear yourself... then when you graduate you get your initial clothing allowance to re-imburse that.

you DO get paid through-out boot camp.

you CAN make payments with your DIs help on certain matters, like one of my fellow recruits had to transfer money for the first month until his allotment started doing it automatically... so the DIs took him on the 1st and the 15th.... or the other way around.

you CAN'T access any of that money at the PX... you just get what your DIs tell you, some people get just one item in large quatities for the gear locker while you can also get stationary stuff as well...

you NEED to let your recruiters know you have pay concerns before you go so they can note that for your DIs to see.

if you are interested in your pay you should look for the 2009 payscale and look for E-1 under 4 months.... if you got your promotion then move up (notice there is no 4 month PFC!!! that's a big pay raise!!)

lol, yeah I didn't realize he was actually looking to pay bills while in boot camp. Great advice SSgt Petzold. SF:D

[echo3oscar1833]

correction!!! I want you to know I am now not 100% sure about the clothing allowance... but you do pay for it yourself..... if someone can confirm or disprove the clothing allowance that would be great.

Correct the clothing allowance does come out of your pay, I do believe that you do receive some kind of remembursment on that though. Not entirly sure but I do seem to recall a chunk of change for something along those lines. :D

[Enigmatic]

lol, yeah I didn't realize he was actually looking to pay bills while in boot camp. Great advice SSgt Petzold. SF:D

Dude, remember what I told you bout attention to detail? :D
That he is a she...and before you get any ideas, a married she.

[Petz]

the name obviously isn't enough.... :P

[BR34]

As far as the clothing allowance goes, she will get half a year's amount on her one year anniversary. So if she goes in on 20071231 she will get 180.00 on 20090101 instead of getting the full 380.00.

[Petz]

initial clothing is different.... I'm pretty sure.

but you are correct, you get 50% for the first 2 or 3 years then upon your re-enlistment you start getting the full amount. (that's when your gear starts to wear out)

[CplKJSpevak]

They don't do chits anymore? When we would go to the little PX they would give us just enough chits to pay for what we needed. Never saw a penny until graduation. If I remember right, I only had a few hundred left after buying my plane ticket.

Do you guy's remember how fvcked up the pay was for months for some Marines throughout MCT and MOS school? it took time for everything to work itself out.....Do they still have Navy relief?

[Petz]

yes they do... and the pay was jacked because everyone was trying to have their banks changed....

the only people who should change their banks immediately should be Married Marines.

[commdog7]

Quick word of advice to any poolees headed to Parris Island: You will be automatically issued an account with FSNB (Fort Sill National Bank). During the last we of boot camp, I highly encourage you to switch to Navy Federal. A lot of Marines coming out of boot have issues with FSNB, such as money suspiciously disappearing from their accounts and the inability to contact FSNB because no one answers their phones! Avoid all that trouble and sign on with Navy Fed as soon as possible- you can switch to whatever bank you want when you get into the fleet.

[echo3oscar1833]

Dude, remember what I told you bout attention to detail? :D
That he is a she...and before you get any ideas, a married she.

Man, must of had a few to many beers when I was typing away last night. :marine:. As to Roxana, I apologize for calling you a guy. As far as the Married thing there Enigmatic, sounds like you know me all to well. :D

[echo3oscar1833]

the name obviously isn't enough.... :P

Which with me being a little buzzed last night, its probably a good thing I didn't realize he was a she, and she is Married. :marine:

[Zulu 36]

When I went in, our initial issue of UNIFORMS and related clothing items were free to us (other than our sweat equity). The bucket issue (shaving gear, toiletries, scuz brush, laundry soap, etc) we had to pay for, along with our weekly haircuts (40-cents each - we had a payment coupon book as part of the bucket issue).

As I recall, we did not start receiving a monthly clothing allowance in our pay until you had a year of service.

[BR34]

initial clothing is different.... I'm pretty sure.

but you are correct, you get 50% for the first 2 or 3 years then upon your re-enlistment you start getting the full amount. (that's when your gear starts to wear out)

Second year mark is when we rate the full amount, SSgt. 2 weeks till I get mine...pamper money!

[roxieb]

Big lol to both echo3oscar1833 and Enigmatic.

Also, I'm not planning on paying bills while in boot camp, just when I'm done I'd like to use whatever I have to take care of some loose ends. Just interested to know how soon I could do that.

Thanks for all the replies, again.

[jake1821]

Thank you for the replies...they were helpful. I just wanted to make sure I would be receiving my pay as early as graduation and not after ALL my training. I have bills to pay off and wanted to know how soon I can access my boot camp pay to pay them off...assuming I have anything left after the trip back home and all the uniform costs. lol. Thanks again.

Something everyone here seemed to overlook is---

BEFORE you leave home, open a checking account.
Find a bank that has free checking accounts, call
around, there will be a bank with a free checking account.
Tell the person at the bank you will be entering the U.S.
Marine Corp. and you will have direct deposits.
I suggest you try to open your account with 200. dollars at least.
Make sure you tell the bank representative you want an ATM / Visa
check card. Make sure you open an account with one of the larger banks
to make sure their on the main ATM networks. I suggest you ask your recruiter to find out what networks they are on- PX, Commissary, etc. and the base credit union's ATM network. Networks such as--PLUS,MOST,
CIRRUS, etc.
Ask the bank representative for the following--
1. Bank routing number
2. Your checking account number
these are the 2 most important things. Do not share this info with anyone
who should not know it.
You will need this info for your pay check to be accurately deposited to it.
MAKE SURE THE INFO IS CORRECT!
Something I think is important--------

get a business card from the bank representative, ask them to note your account that you will be in basic training and will need to occasionally call
the branch should a need arise. Get the direct branch phone number!
Ask if you can get someone's name who should/will be at that branch for the next few months who you can call if needed.
Try to get an account opened before you leave for basic. Make sure enough time so you can get your ATM / Visa check card YOURSELF-
also--so you and you alone can get he PIN number to access an ATM.
Make sure you ask the branch for a Visa Check card / ATM card combined.
If ATM's were to not work, the VISA check card can be used like a regular visa. I appologize if I repeated myself,,, good luck man !

p.s. shop around, there will be banks that have FREE checking accounts with visa check card. tell them your going into the marines, maybe they
will have a package account. again, make sure you tell them you will start
having direct deposits in about 1 1/2 to 2 months.

[lamanognr86]

haha, this thread is a couple years old. Way to go champ.

[sparkie]

Old,,, but good advice.

My son started up his USAA account a couple of weeks before he shipped, and did the direct deposit thing. He shipped with his bank card in hand.

So different now. We used to get paid cash counted out on the table.

[awbrown1462]

I would say someone is using her account on here as the one asking is going to Boot Camp so counld not be a L/Cpl yet

[awbrown1462]

Old,,, but good advice.

My son started up his USAA account a couple of weeks before he shipped, and did the direct deposit thing. He shipped with his bank card in hand.

So different now. We used to get paid cash counted out on the table.
Yeah I remeber getting cash and while over in Okie the loan sharks would be at the back waiting to get their money

[Zulu 36]

Old,,, but good advice.

My son started up his USAA account a couple of weeks before he shipped, and did the direct deposit thing. He shipped with his bank card in hand.

So different now. We used to get paid cash counted out on the table.


"Sir, Private Tipton, Platoon 2071, reporting for pay as ordered, Sir!"

Got $10.00 the first time in late 1st Phase and $25.00 the second time in early Third Phase. Got the rest a couple of days before graduation. At $143/month, and with the bucket issue deduction, there wasn't a whole lot of "the rest."

[sparkie]

Some got rich on payday loans. 100% in a week. 20 will get ya 40. I noticed those few never went into the ville. I couldn't save anything over there,,,,including my liver.