Lowest Pay Raise For Military In 50 Years...

[uscitizen]

The Military pay raise is determined by a formula of economic indicators established by Congress. Most Americans, including retirees are receiving nothing this year

And got nothing last year.

Pretty much like SS recipients then on that.

Personally I think the troops have been vastly underpaid for at least 100 years.
Probably longer, but I do not have a clue on it back then.
But that is the way it is.

I think many of our enlisted with families still qualify for food stamps and such and that is a shame.

 

[Sallow]

No member of Congress should earn more than front line troops. Simple.

Simplistic Drivel

Yes, lets pay Privates six figure incomes

Actually, we should drop Congress members pay down to military levels.

We would definitely find out which of them are in it only for the money.

No "we" shouldn't.

That's ridiculous.

 

[Sallow]

The Military pay raise is determined by a formula of economic indicators established by Congress. Most Americans, including retirees are receiving nothing this year

And got nothing last year.

Pretty much like SS recipients then on that.

Personally I think the troops have been vastly underpaid for at least 100 years.
Probably longer, but I do not have a clue on it back then.
But that is the way it is.

I think many of our enlisted with families still qualify for food stamps and such and that is a shame.

The benefits make up for much of the salary. And depending on what branch you choose, the training and schooling are both superior. I've worked with many vets in my field..they are outstanding in IT.

 

[Toome]

The issue is DADT. That's part of the measure and that's what's got Congress in a pissing contest. Also, the House passed a 1.9% increase. The Senate reduced it to 1.4%.

The new Congress isn't in session, yet. If you want to look at who are the bad guys here, look at who is still in power until January 3, 2011. And it's not just Democrats, it's also Republicans who are to blame here. Neither one of them care about the troops on the front line. They're just using this bill as a political hostage to score other points. And Obama doesn't escape scrutiny here. He lied to the public. He said he was going to freeze federal pay for everyone except the troops. What he didn't say was that he was going to be stingy with this year's pay raise.

Whether or not you support the war, it all comes down to a young American putting his or her life on the line in a faraway land. That person is entitled to receive a reasonable compensation. For those of us who have been there, and for those of us who have had to bury friends, we know that you can't put an adequate monetary value on that type of profession. However, cutting back to where it's the lowest pay raise in almost 50 years is a slap in the face.

 

[rightwinger]

Congress should get zero raise.

Of course, they should have been getting zero raise for the past 3-4 years.

Having said that, 1.4% doesn't sound like much, but times are hard for everyone. I'm supremely grateful for what they do and what they sacrifice, but I look around me at people who have no jobs with kids to feed, working temp jobs in order to barely keep the bills paid and a roof over their head...

Thank you for defending us, but the coffers are low due to our elected officials pig ignorance and greed. Sorry we cannot give more.

When Obama froze the 1.4% pay raise for federal employees, it applied to Congress as well

 

[RadiomanATL]

Congress should get zero raise.

Of course, they should have been getting zero raise for the past 3-4 years.

Having said that, 1.4% doesn't sound like much, but times are hard for everyone. I'm supremely grateful for what they do and what they sacrifice, but I look around me at people who have no jobs with kids to feed, working temp jobs in order to barely keep the bills paid and a roof over their head...

Thank you for defending us, but the coffers are low due to our elected officials pig ignorance and greed. Sorry we cannot give more.

When Obama froze the 1.4% pay raise for federal employees, it applied to Congress as well

Good to know. Now lets roll it back.

 

[rightwinger]

Many people in the private sector have not had a raise in years.
Why should those in the military be exempt from the pain of our recession?

Because people in the military put their lives on the line in a way other Americans don't. Even police and firemen get to go home at night.

Was that a question that even needed to be asked?

That applies to the basic pay structure of the Military not the cost of living adjustment. Cost of living is set by code and is based on set economic indicators.
We should not use cost of living adjustments to make up for shortfalls in basic pay.

Many military families struggle. Many are on food stamps. That is a basic pay issue.

In my view, those who have endured multiple deployments to war zones deserve huge bonus pay. Many troops have had multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan while others have not even been close to combat. Increase combat pay and leave the rest with their 1.4%

 

[rightwinger]

Congress should get zero raise.

Of course, they should have been getting zero raise for the past 3-4 years.

Having said that, 1.4% doesn't sound like much, but times are hard for everyone. I'm supremely grateful for what they do and what they sacrifice, but I look around me at people who have no jobs with kids to feed, working temp jobs in order to barely keep the bills paid and a roof over their head...

Thank you for defending us, but the coffers are low due to our elected officials pig ignorance and greed. Sorry we cannot give more.

When Obama froze the 1.4% pay raise for federal employees, it applied to Congress as well

Good to know. Now lets roll it back.

Roll back to what?

They make $170,000 now. What do you think is fair pay for a major executive with decades of experience?

 

[editec]

Thebase pay, average housing allowance, monetary food allowance, for the LOWEST post boot camp PAYGRADE in the military (an E1 with over 4 months in paygrade) is

$30, 819 a year.​

Now, that's the minimum compensation for somebody coming into that post with NO TRAINING, NO EDUCATION, NO SKILLS.

That rate of compensation ALSO does NOT include the HC benefits military personnel have, and is STILL double the minimum wage.

​

Seems like a rather generous salary, all things considered.​

That compensation is CERTAINLY better than the median income of people with no skills or education just starting out in civilian jobs.​

The below chart shows average annual military salary for enlisted members, to include base pay, average housing allowance, monetary food allowance, and the "tax advantage" of untaxed allowances. The charts do not include items such as overseas housing allowance, overseas COLA (cost of living allowance), enlistment or reenlistment bonuses, or other bonuses and allowances that many servicemembers are entitled to.

Enlisted Personnel with 0 to 12 Years of Military Service<2234681012E-9--------E-8-------68,615.65E-7---56,956.5558,236.3560,440.4661,665.4562,890.43E-646,396.2549,057.6550,347.6751,583.0052,872.7255,766.3756,878.7658,110.85E-541,988.5943,633.7244,894.5046,180.8148,179.5149,889.7551,149.9251,549.11E-438,391.7639,467.9140,642.9741,831.2742,943.7242,943.7242,943.7242,943.72E-336,092.3637,285.2238,499.8038,499.8038,499.8038,499.8038,499.80-E-234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.12-E-1 >4 months of service32,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.95-E-1 <4 months of service 30810.73

Enlisted Personnel with 0 to 12 Years of Military Service<2234681012E-9--------E-8-------68,615.65E-7---56,956.5558,236.3560,440.4661,665.4562,890.43E-646,396.2549,057.6550,347.6751,583.0052,872.7255,766.3756,878.7658,110.85E-541,988.5943,633.7244,894.5046,180.8148,179.5149,889.7551,149.9251,549.11E-438,391.7639,467.9140,642.9741,831.2742,943.7242,943.7242,943.7242,943.72E-336,092.3637,285.2238,499.8038,499.8038,499.8038,499.8038,499.80-E-234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.1234,244.12-E-1 >4 months of service32,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.9532,059.95-E-1 <4 months of service30810.73

source

 

[RadiomanATL]

When Obama froze the 1.4% pay raise for federal employees, it applied to Congress as well

Good to know. Now lets roll it back.

Roll back to what?

They make $170,000 now. What do you think is fair pay for a major executive with decades of experience?

Congressmen should not be compared to executives.

 

[uscitizen]

Many people in the private sector have not had a raise in years.
Why should those in the military be exempt from the pain of our recession?

Because people in the military put their lives on the line in a way other Americans don't. Even police and firemen get to go home at night.

Was that a question that even needed to be asked?

That applies to the basic pay structure of the Military not the cost of living adjustment. Cost of living is set by code and is based on set economic indicators.
We should not use cost of living adjustments to make up for shortfalls in basic pay.

Many military families struggle. Many are on food stamps. That is a basic pay issue.

In my view, those who have endured multiple deployments to war zones deserve huge bonus pay. Many troops have had multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan while others have not even been close to combat. Increase combat pay and leave the rest with their 1.4%

Yep, even in full wartime such as WW2 I think it takes at least 2 behind the lines support persons to support each in combat troops.
I figure the ratio is much higher now.
All Troops do not go into Combat some protected us from Vietnam by staying in Texas.

 

[Mad Scientist]

I know this is a very emotional and controversial issue but i would still like to hear your thoughts on it. It is a very important issue...

Proposed 1.4% Military Pay Raise Under Fire - CBS News

20% cut to all Defense Department agencies. I'm sure they'll survive somehow.

 

[Sallow]

Good to know. Now lets roll it back.

Roll back to what?

They make $170,000 now. What do you think is fair pay for a major executive with decades of experience?

Congressmen should not be compared to executives.

Congressmen actually have to do some work.

 

[uscitizen]

Roll back to what?

They make $170,000 now. What do you think is fair pay for a major executive with decades of experience?

Congressmen should not be compared to executives.

Congressmen actually have to do some work.

Naw they have staffs to take care of that.
Sitting and talking is not work.

 

[RadiomanATL]

Roll back to what?

They make $170,000 now. What do you think is fair pay for a major executive with decades of experience?

Congressmen should not be compared to executives.

Congressmen actually have to do some work.

Screwing over the public, and fanning the flames of partisanship to keep themselves in office? Yeah, sure.

 

[rightwinger]

I know this is a very emotional and controversial issue but i would still like to hear your thoughts on it. It is a very important issue...

Proposed 1.4% Military Pay Raise Under Fire - CBS News

20% cut to all Defense Department agencies. I'm sure they'll survive somehow.

A 20% across the board cut impacts readiness and security.

Military manning and equipment is based on one thing....Mission

Given the broad mission of the military, they are required to man and maintain large numbers of ships, aircraft, nuclear weapons, Army Divisions and support infrastructure.

To effectively cut the Military, we need to modify the mission we ask them to perform. Protecting Europe, Japan, S Korea should not be our mission
Maintaining over 2000 nuclear warheads and the platforms to deliver them should not be our mission
Protecting Arab oil without compensation should not be our mission

 

[LibocalypseNow]

I understand the formula for calculating Military raises but is this right? Wouldn't it be possible to make exceptions considering we're in the middle of two Wars? Personally i feel this could be corrected. These are unprecedented times. Our kids are doing an awful lot of fighting for us. I think we owe them better than this.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Roll back to what?

They make $170,000 now. What do you think is fair pay for a major executive with decades of experience?

Congressmen should not be compared to executives.

Congressmen actually have to do some work.

yea its tuff screwing the American public.....

 

[Cain]

Well, as a member of the USAF, that blows. As Cain, I can admit that seems like a thing to happen, I don't support it, but I cannot change anything. I do the best I can trying to get people into voting, and trying to find people worth voting for [be surprised how harder the latter is]. Honestly, I looked at my pay rate when I start out, this is what I will be making:

$1705.80 per month
$20,469.60 per year

Not exactly the greatest pay in the world, but 3 hot meals a day, education [tech school, etc] and the fact that I have always wanted to be in the military, eh, I'll live with this crap. Also, biggest thing I see about people in military is, one of the few people in my family to survive their whole military career, one of my uncles, he is making about 5x that, why? US Army Combat Engineer retirement + engineer job as a postal worker=not too bad living.

 

[uscitizen]

I understand the formula for calculating Military raises but is this right? Wouldn't it be possible to make exceptions considering we're in the middle of two Wars? Personally i feel this could be corrected. These are unprecedented times. Our kids are doing an awful lot of fighting for us. I think we owe them better than this.

then raise the combat pay not the overall pay.