Military Pay Raise

[PaidinBlood]

WE need to push for for a better life... we need to contact our our elected officials... We have to let our voice be heard and let Big Government know that our pay and the Military budget is not an area to negotiate on. This is why I have got involved in the Tea Party, why I try and play as big as a role as I have time for

That does kind of sound like a recruiting line, but if you say it's not, then so be it. At any rate, I'm guessing by the quick reply you didn't read that article. As far as being a pawn, I am tired of it. We were used to elicit sympathy to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan-only problem is I am no victim and wasn't sent anywhere. I would have given my left nut to go.

As for the pay thing, we-being active duty military-are often trotted out to garner the sympathy of the public. Why do you think Congress bumped up the pentagon request for 2011 raise by a half point? Do you think it's because they care? Or because they didn't want to face their constituents and say they didn't 'fight' for us? They are going to inflate the raises whether we want it or not.

I guess I look at this way-where do we want our money going? That half point raise was estimated at 500 million dollars. How much gear could that buy for the Marines downrange? I remember-as I am sure you do-the huge impact just one set of LED lights on a HMMWV could make....

[Old Marine]

This is the problem. We have President that has no idea what it means to be a Military member. He see the Military budget as a account he can write checks thus he believes that we can cut back. This falls in line with Obama's main focus, making the people of this country depend on government. How many Military families are on welfare and food stamps... A lot more then you would think. When you a Socialist leader like Obama, he will do anything to make you and I depend on him.

Do you actually think that this President is the only President we have had that wants to cut back the military? What kind of kool aid are you drinking??? Just about every President during their term also did this.

[PaidinBlood]

We have President that has no idea what it means to be a Military member

I think too much emphasis is placed on the prior military service of a President, as if it were some sort of prerequisite. Think about it-the President is the CiC of the military, but he also has doctors, lawyers, computer nerds, bakers, butlers, drivers, and just about every other trade in his direct employ. Does he have to master these trades as well?

Bear in mind I don't much care for the current White House tenant, but that is a pretty lame ground to attack him on, in this Marine's opinion...

[foxman]

I wonder if The Annointed One would consider living on "Any Enlisted Man's Salary".

[Rocky C]

The following basic pay charts are showing a 3.4% raise for 2010 based on the approved 2010 defense budget, and the rates are monthly amounts rounded to the nearest US dollar.



http://www.navycs.com/2010-military-pay-chart.html#2010 Military Pay Chart

http://www.navycs.com/2010-military-...sted-paycharts -2010 Enlisted Pay

http://www.navycs.com/2010-military-...icer-pay-chart -2010 Officer Pay

[PaidinBlood]

Let's use the assembled experts we have here to solve this problem. You all think the Marines need to get paid more-tell us how much and why. Numbers.

Remember to take into account base pay, allowances, tax exemptions in combat, clothing allowances, separation pay, combat pay, medical, dental, gyms, pools, dislocation allowances, COLA, per diem, etc.

[Marine84]

PIB - I have the same attitude. The way I looked at it was they gave me 3 hots and a cot, free medical, free dental, sent me to places I never would have gotten to go to any other way, let me play with bombs for 4 years, AND gave me a paycheck.

It's just like you say - you have to live within your means. I do it still - I ain't rich but, I'm comfortable. I don't need the latest, hottest gadget that comes out or the shiniest car to drive. People seem to think us single folks don't know squat about money problems. Why not? We have to handle EVERYTHING!!!!!

[AdirondackDog]

I didnt join the Corps to escape the recession. I joined so someone else could. I live comfortably, I have a roof over my head and a hot meal every day. I make enough to grab a couple drinks on the weekend, with some to spare for a TSP. Im single so I dont know the struggle of a Marine with dependants but I think people just mismanage their money. To add to that I am a strong believer that you are soley responsible for the situations you find yourself in.

[FattyTheFerret]

America’s Military has found the ‘Change’ our president talked about, it will be left over of our pay raise, after taxes – Gary Stein


We are fighting two wars. We are helping secure the boarder. We have sworn to protect this nation and its freedoms even if it cost us our lives. And this year the president is opposed to the lowest Military pay raise since 1973, not because it is to low, but because it is to high. He has proposed a pay raise of merely 1.4%, which is lower then Welfare recipients with be getting. America’s Military has found the ‘Change’ our president talked about, it is what will be left over of our lowest pay raise, after taxes

Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick has even said that "we actually think we have a surplus in terms of pay."… Well sir before you speak on behave of the Military please step out of your General sized shoes and squeeze into the everyday Military Families shoes. Come live pay check to pay check. Come dig through your couch cushions looking for change to get some gas because you don’t get paid for 2 more days. Moves your family to either NCO housing which is not worth the Basic Housing Allowance you rate or decided to live 30 miles away from base where you can afford a home big enough for your family.

Here is the problem. Washington and it seems a portion of the Pentagon, are filled with politicians that don’t what is good for the everyday man let alone the everyday Military Family. It is understandable that some people would not know or have forgotten what it means to be an everyday Military Family. They have forgotten what it means to be and everyday American Family.

So here is your chance to Sound Off… Contact Lt Gen.. Thomas Bostick and please remind him what it means to be and everyday American and Military Family.
(703) 692-1281

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Armed-...01412476569405

Gary Stein
Armed Forces Tea Party

Do a bit more research before you spout off. The reduced pay raise comes because that money is being diverted toward increasing and improving various services and programs available to us. It's focus is on returning combat veterans, wounded personnel and those with families. Overall, the amount of money being spent on personnel is increasing compared to previous years. Taking the 1.4% figure and basing your argument around that is ignoring the whole story. This administration and Congress is spending more on the military than any previous one.

I doubt this will be popular, but I personally think we get paid just fine. The high raises we have become accustomed to were only designed to close the gap with civilian pay. Basic pay and allowances are fine, but I wouldn't mind seeing more money directed towards the quality of life initiatives.

Also, this. Military pay is supposed to be comparable to equivalent civilian pay. Counting benefits, bonuses and the tax free portions of deployment pay our incomes are on average significantly higher than an equivalent civilian position with the same number of years.


Yes, it'd be nice to get paid more but to ramble on about tea party this and lower taxes that all the while demanding that we get more tax dollars is sheer hypocrisy.

High pay raises. May I ask what you consider a high pay raise. Our military should be the highest paid military in the world.

It is.

This is the problem. We have President that has no idea what it means to be a Military member. He see the Military budget as a account he can write checks thus he believes that we can cut back. This falls in line with Obama's main focus, making the people of this country depend on government. How many Military families are on welfare and food stamps... A lot more then you would think. When you a Socialist leader like Obama, he will do anything to make you and I depend on him.

A lot of military families are on welfare and food stamps because they SUCK at budgeting. There are lance coconuts with three kids and stay at home wives that still manage to take care of their families without any additional assistance. Why? Because they don't buy a new car after boot camp. They don't waste money on fancy guns or big screen TVs on the 15th of every month. They spend wisely. Problem is those guys don't seem to be the norm.

I agree with you. But Why? You have signed the dotted line and said that if it came to it, you would give you life for our nation. So why not be compensated for that in return. Do you think you make as much as your civilian counter part?

Chances are he does. And here's the kicker: a relatively small portion of the military actually puts lives on the line. Most in uniform are never in any more danger than the average civilian. Certainly less than the average cop. That's why the money that would have normally gone to that pay raise is instead being shifted toward the ones that do deploy and put their lives on the line to help their families when they're gone or to take care of them when they get injured and have to return home. This pay raise figure is the result of more focus being put on the very combat troops you're referring to as opposed to the average desk jockey like me.

Many Marines do live outside their means, and I can say I have to at times... but who has drawn those lines for us. Who has said that a Sgt in the worlds finest Military should drive a beat up truck and settle for less... see this is were you and lots like you have just settled... you have been told this is just the way it is... live within your means... well I say no... I say WE need to push for for a better life... we need to contact our our elected officials... We have to let our voice be heard and let Big Government know that our pay and the Military budget is not an area to negotiate on. This is why I have got involved in the Tea Party, why I try and play as big as a role as I have time for

A Sgt in the finest military in the world is usually a 22-24 year old guy with little to no college education. Driving a beat up truck is the norm for that demographic. This despite the fact that said Sgt knows exactly how much his paycheck is going to be and can budget properly. This despite the fact that he usually doesn't have any living expenses and when he does, they're almost always covered by the additional allowances he gets. So if that Sgt in the finest military in the world is driving a beat up truck, chances are its the result of the decisions he made.

[PaidinBlood]

Fatty: High Five, Brother.

[MLMonk]

It would be nice to have more money, but I think we're paid just fine. I look at my friends who are the same age (20) and I am almost doubling or tripling their pay as a single LCpl on active orders. Budgeting in the Marine Corps, or any other branch for that matter, isn't hard. Set up an allotment on MyPay, use that to pay your bills, and the divided pay checks you get on the 1st/15th will be just money to spend. Now providing for a family is another story, I cannot comment on that since I am not in that situation.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for having the military getting the best benefits considering our contribution to this Nation, but it's not going to happen any time soon, not with the economy the way it is now.

[Meserole08orah]

Well when you got Contractors that are getting paid as much as a LTCol or higher, and they arent even protecting freedom... damn right we should get paid more!! Im sick of a GS4 Making more then me when ive been deployed. The president is basically saying an E3's life isnt worth more the 1200 bucks give or take a month. Thanks for being willing to DIE for those who do not appreciate the military or support it, heres 1200 bucks. good luck. Then you got BASE HOUSING?!?!? You could be DUAL Military and only one gets BAH the other has to pay his/her whole BAH plus almost 200 extra bucks outta pocket to live in a house. Imagine being a PFC who isnt dual military. he/she gets paid what 500 bucks a paycheck or so plus a could extra for BAH lives on base looses BAH plus 200 or so for "rent" so that leaves him back where he was for GAS, possible dayCare Food, and activities for the kids, oh and a phone bill posisble cell phone too and internet and cable. so he gets no money incase his cover has a stain or rips his Camies. or Any uniform emergency. Hell or money to save incase he needs to go Emergency leave. Even if he does go to the NMCRS he will loose 100 dollars a paycheck. We arent paid enough. Sure as a SGT or SSgt i could make it through NOT living paycheck to paycheck but look at those who arent there who are just starting and came to the Marine corps for help, to get a better pay and they would end up making more working at McDonalds!! I would def like to see nicer paychecks. Not everyone can have personal Cooks and Servents and still get paid. oh and have a personal Driver. No body higher ranking is just a person like us JR marines and NCOs. Because i sure as hell wont expect someone to drive me or cook for me when i can do it myself. Nope. plus... lol i dont get paid enough.

Again... its not that we want more pay... but for God's Sake....... i think my life is work more the 2000 a month. Idk about you but i would like someone to show me they appreciate me going to Afghanistan and fighting for my country's freedom. Theres times i cant even afford a 1$ movie from RedBox... but i still am willing to fight for the bull**** we are at war for now. Hell i still dont even know what we are fighting for.

[FistFu68]

Lets get Rid of all the Fucing Politicians and then give ourselves a Pay Raise

[DocGreek]

WELL.....looks like I've missed something....AGAIN!!! UMMMMM.....PAY? If you pee away all of your pay on Friday and don't get paid for two weeks.....WHERE you gonna' bunk?.....WHAT you gonna' eat?.....DDDDDDDUH!!!!
What you gonna' do when it BURNS like HELL to pee??......go to the local ER??
YOU SIGNED A FVCKIN' CONTRACT, PROMISING TO "PROTECT AND DEFEND".....REMEMMBER????
IN RETURN, BESIDES A "FEW" BUCKS, EVERY TWO WEEKS, WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET??
DUH!!........

[Wyoming]

That's what I was thinking meownself, Doc.