Military pay....RANT

was that 35K with hazard pay, and separation pay, etc ?

seems low bro. I would figure more than that.


I'm not married, so it's only $325 extra per month for hazardous duty/hostile fire pay. It was probably more like 40k with the extra grand per month on those last 3 months. Either way, it's a good 100k less that what the equivalent civilian makes over there.
 
MAX Enlisted Pay- $87,732 per year
MAX Officer Pay- $230,868 per year

... ... Keep in mind that is just BASIC pay. Does not include Housing Allowance or Basic Allowance for Sustanance.

Not that I think enlisted should make equal amounts, but it is rediculous that Officers make so much. They are constantly cutting our budgets and kicking people out to save money....well take a look at officer pay. There is no reason that a brand new officer (day 1 in active duty military) should make more than I do as an E-5 with 7 years of service. In fact, I will not catch up with their pay until I hit my 8 year mark.

Old saying about aircraft mechanics (enlisted) versus the pilots (officer): "It takes a highschool education to fix what a college education just broke"

-END RANT-

Then get your degree, go to OTS/OCS.

You are quoting Max pay for General Officers. How many officers actually reach that level in their career?

Also, many top paid non-General officer jobs are supply and demand (doctors, pilots, specialists, etc). If the military won't pay the amount offered in the civilian world, members will leave at various points in their career.

Bickering internally about military pay, will not affect Congress' mind on this subject, nor will it sway public opinion on enlisted pay rates. Best to rationally compare an enlisted job to an outside civilian career field. Example: Enlisted Air Traffic Controller to FAA GS-13/14/15 controller with added bonuses.
 
I don't expect it to ever change because it probably never will. I am not complaining at all about my pay as an enlisted person....just don't see the reason an officer makes so much more than an enlisted person. Yes, I used max numbers....but it is rare for enlisted to reach the max as well. A majority of people who retire as enlisted do so at E-7 or E-8. Even those who retire at E-9 don't max out very often. The fact is that there are very few officers (minus your specialty officers, pilot, Dr., etc) that know the mission as well as their enlisted counterpart. Like a logistics officer, they may know bits and pieces but a true logistics professional on the enlisted side knows all the details. No, it isn't the officer's job to know every detail. It is their job to lead.....but are officers really necessary anymore? Are supply or logistics officers needed? What purpose do they serve that an E-6 or E-7 can't provide? Couldn't that O-5 in charge of a Squadron be replaced by an E-9? Just more fuel for the fire. ;)
 
I don't expect it to ever change because it probably never will. I am not complaining at all about my pay as an enlisted person....just don't see the reason an officer makes so much more than an enlisted person. Yes, I used max numbers....but it is rare for enlisted to reach the max as well. A majority of people who retire as enlisted do so at E-7 or E-8. Even those who retire at E-9 don't max out very often. The fact is that there are very few officers (minus your specialty officers, pilot, Dr., etc) that know the mission as well as their enlisted counterpart. Like a logistics officer, they may know bits and pieces but a true logistics professional on the enlisted side knows all the details. No, it isn't the officer's job to know every detail. It is their job to lead.....but are officers really necessary anymore? Are supply or logistics officers needed? What purpose do they serve that an E-6 or E-7 can't provide? Couldn't that O-5 in charge of a Squadron be replaced by an E-9? Just more fuel for the fire. ;)

bro, when I worked for home depot years ago. I made 12.00 to start, not bad for being about 10 years ago.

but the CEO Bob Nardelli made 300 million for 5 year contract. thats wrong.

then he took & took from the company and workers.

I know its off track but wanted to show the same wage difference :D
 
I don't expect it to ever change because it probably never will. I am not complaining at all about my pay as an enlisted person....just don't see the reason an officer makes so much more than an enlisted person. Yes, I used max numbers....but it is rare for enlisted to reach the max as well. ;)

I must have 20+ Chiefs in my unit, but no 5-star, generals, no 4-star, no 3-stars, no 2-stars, and only one 1-star. Your comparison of highest paid officer vs enlisted is misleading overall. Plus, General pay goes up almost exponentially at that Command level.

A Chief makes more than a mid-level officer, Captain.
6315.00 vs 5707.00
2012 Military Pay Scale Chart

However, I do think you are underpaid as an enlisted man on a whole.
 
I must have 20+ Chiefs in my unit, but no 5-star, generals, no 4-star, no 3-stars, no 2-stars, and only one 1-star. Your comparison of highest paid officer vs enlisted is misleading overall. Plus, General pay goes up almost exponentially at that Command level.

A Chief makes more than a mid-level officer, Captain.
6315.00 vs 5707.00
2012 Military Pay Scale Chart

However, I do think you are underpaid as an enlisted man on a whole.

But are those chiefs at their max pay? Yes, there are more chiefs than generals in the military. But, take a look at the highest paid Enlisted person in the Air Force (CMSAF) and compare it to just a Wing Commander....a Brig Gen. The General still makes on average $4000 a month more. That is with the Chief maxed out and the General with just 30 years in.
 
For the most part, go and try and find a job with all the benefits and retirement that the military paying out. A Soldier lives in the barracks, has his food given to him, given a clothing allowance. It all straight cash. Go look out in the parkinglot and see all the new cars out there. Not too many working stiffs in the real world can afford the vehicles sitting out there.

If your married, they give you BHA, which covers your housing for your family and separate ration, and Health and dental care is dirt cheap and available for your family to boot.
Put pen to paper, and then bitch. Oh by the way, I am enlisted and when I was an E-1 my base pay before taxes was $286.
You don't like the pay difference, get out. go to college and get your degree, and apply for your commission. The military.is screaming for Officers and has been since this Wars have started. We are so short,

I was the First Sergeant and Company Commander(Major slot) for almost two years, and my E-6 and E-7 were in Captain positions as team leaders.

Oh I do have a degree and for me to make my CSM, I'm expected to ve working on my Master. I did throw up the BS Flag during a CSM conference at FT Bragg. I said sure thing, when they adjust the pay difference between whoever I'm working for (O-5 to O-9)
 
Last edited:
It's funny that nobody cares to read what was actually being ranted about....already said I think enlisted are paid well. Just don't see why officers get paid so much more. I don't think enlisted should get paid more, I think officers should get paid less. They, for the most part, are a huge waste of money.
 
A number of my NCO has switched to the Darkside simply due to what they would get compared if they stayed enlisted. I'm too old and mean to turn around and come back as a butter bar, or I would be doing the same.
 
For the most part, go and try and find a job with all the benefits and retirement that the military paying out. A Soldier lives in the barracks, has his food given to him, given a clothing allowance. It all straight cash. Go look out in the parkinglot and see all the new cars out there. Not too many working stiffs in the real world can afford the vehicles sitting out there.

If your married, they give you BHA, which covers your housing for your family and separate ration, and Health and dental care is dirt cheap and available for your family to boot.
Put pen to paper, and then bitch. Oh by the way, I am enlisted and when I was an E-1 my base pay before taxes was $286.
You don't like the pay difference, get out. go to college and get your degree, and apply for your commission. The military.is screaming for Officers and has been since this Wars have started. We are so short,

I was the First Sergeant and Company Commander(Major slot) for almost two years, and my E-6 and E-7 were in Captain positions as team leaders.

Oh I do have a degree and for me to make my CSM, I'm expected to ve working on my Master. I did throw up the BS Flag during a CSM conference at FT Bragg. I said sure thing, when they adjust the pay difference between whoever I'm working for (O-5 to O-9)

Working on it! ACAP tomorrow:rock::D
 
Wasn't taking a cheap shot.....just stating a trend. There is not one person in the Air Force that couldn't join any other branch....not the case for those wanting to join the Air Force. I know my branch isn't better than any other....it has it's role. Just tired of the ignorant comments like "you guys have it so easy". Don't mistake the fact that the Air Force takes better care of their people for an "easier" life. Nice facilities didn't help prevent my marriage from failing due to deployments. Nice facilities didn't have me home for my son's first birthday and his first Christmas. Nice facilities didn't save my knee from injury from an RPG explosion on the flightline. Nice facilities in no way makes it "easier" for us. Just makes it nicer.

My Branch is Better than all the others USMC, but my wife was USAF also and they DO NOT take care of their own. They work their damn 730-430 jobs and take off. They dont give a damn about comradery. Marines party, live, work and socialize together. My wife bitches so much about how its just a job to her and not a service. I wana slap her ass sometimes and tell her to man up and punch their arrogant junior asses in the face for back talking or doing stupid shit. Shit wouldnt fly in the Marines........
Ill take my shitty posts before I ever take the confort of the USAF.

And the max allowed take home for an Officer or Enlisted is $10,000 a month after taxes.
 

Latest posts

Support Us

Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Back
Top