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Close Topic OptionsYear Long Deployments In Iraq - Page 2 of 4
Most servicemembers have SGLI which is a low - Page 2 - Politics, Business, Civil, History - Posted: 21st May, 2004 - 8:07pm
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Year Long Deployments In Iraq - Page 2
It used to be much worse. Often if a lower ranking enlisted person gets married and has a child they end up qualifying for food stamps (a form of welfare) because they are paid so poorly. The higher ranks make liveable wages. Still officers make much more than enlisted.
An e-9 (highest enlisted rank) can make about $5,000 per month basic pay (more when you add in housing and food allowances which they receive if they are married)
An O-10 (highest officer rank) can make $13,000 per month in basic pay. Again you get more if you are married.
The additional housing allowance is based upon where you live. The military has made great strides in increasing this allowance in high cost areas to help members afford to live in them.
If you are a higher ranking enlisted member and your spouse is also, and you are stationed in the south, you make a pretty good living.
If you are a mid-level ranking officer, you make a pretty good living.
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Iraq Deployments Long Year
| QUOTE (LDS_forever @ 20-May 04, 5:06 PM) |
| That's extremely low, taking in consideration everything they go through! why is the salary so little? how they manage to maintain their families with such amount of money per month????. |
Food stamps. Seriously.
Over half the lower enlisted ranks are on food stamps. I should have been, when I separated, at rank E-5 (SSgt). We struggled every single month, starting when we moved to Mississippi. It was worse when I was in Saudi Arabia. Yes, there was a small "bonus" for being in a combat zone. That just helped my wife a little bit, to deal with day-to-day expenses.
When I left for Saudi, I expected to be there for at least a year. Some people in my unit were out for a year. It is common, and an expected situation for military members.
Remember, many of the people who were sent to the Pacific in WWII, were out there for almost 4 years.
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Year Long Deployments In Iraq History & Civil Business Politics
Wow, I didn't know the salary was so low that they have to get food stamps. This is very sad! 
When I was living in the US I cannot recall hearing anything about complaints of the military about raising their salaries, how come?. If their incomes are so low, then definetly they should stay no longer than 6 months.
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Post Date: 21st May, 2004 - 4:50am / Post ID: #
Page 2 Iraq Deployments Long Year
| QUOTE (tenaheff @ 20-May 04, 3:47 PM) |
| It depends upon your rank and how long you have been in the military. The basic pay for a private E-1 - lowest enlisted rank is in the neighborhood of $1,700 per month. This comes out to around $20,000 per year. Compare this to the $80,000 or so that the contract truck drivers are getting for being there due to the risks involved. E-3 which is a good average rank to consider for a foot soldier makes around $1,500 to $1,600 per month. Officers make much more. The lowest ranking officer, O-1 makes around $2,800 per month $33,600 per year. An O-3 which is what most of us know as captains make around $4,000 per month. This is basic pay. They get some kind of combat pay, which I have no idea about in terms of amount. Also, if they are married, they get a housing allowance of sorts. Most E-1 through E-3 are between 18 and 21 and not married. Officers are generally older, having completed college before going on active duty and so they tend to be married at their lower ranks and more likely to be drawing this allowance. Again, when you consider what civilian truck drivers and cooks going over there on contracts with civilian companies are being paid because of the dangers involved, the military members are being paid very little considering the risks they face each day. |
The Army has come up with new incentives now. If you are extended past your year mark. You will be paid an extra thousand dollars per month.
Iraq Deployments Long Year
That $1,000 incentive comes only after you have already been there one year. Little compensation for not being sent home as promised. There have been reports of troops on the tarmac ready to take off for home only to be delayed and told they had to stay another three months. What a terrible thing to do to morale. Not only have you and your family spent the past 12 months or how ever long you were there, counting down the days to your return, now you are packed and ready to go. Your families have already planned the welcome home parties and you are told, Oh, guess what, not this month. Seems to me a little more notice is in order. Such treatment is quite unkind.
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Post Date: 21st May, 2004 - 12:37pm / Post ID: #
Year Long Deployments In Iraq
Yes this is true. You can only recieve the extra $1,000 dollars , after you have completed a year. I just found out thier giving $5,000 bonuses for renlisting while here in Iraq. Yes it is a blow to morale when you made it back home. Only to be called back for an additional 4 months. Did you hear about the 8 soldiers from 1st Armored Division from Germany. Well that unit got called back to Iraq. And 8 soldiers were killed from a suicide bomber. I would hate to be the commander and have to explain to his wife on how he died , just terrible.
Year Long Deployments Iraq - Page 2
Okay, what about if a soldier dies in combat? how much money the family gets? what about if the soldier is seriously injured?. What is the compensation?.
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Year Long Deployments Iraq Politics Business Civil & History - Page 2
Most servicemembers have SGLI which is a low cost life insurance. The maximum payment is $250,000. I don't know of any enlisted members with more than that.
If you are seriously injured, the military will provide treatment. If your injury results in permanent disability, you will get disability pay, but I believe it is less than what you collect as an active duty member, so you won't be able to live very well on it.
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TOPIC: Year Long Deployments In Iraq