Are you entitled to pay in the US Army?

2019-01-06T23:27:41-05:00

Im strictly curious based on something an NCO said. He says "You might also want to know that regardless of if you get paid or not you are still obligated to serve, ie attend all BA's etc. You volunteered your service and and nothing in your contract states that you have to be compensated for your volunteerism" it was in response to a question on wether or not were getting paid for a battle assembly. Is this actually correct? Could the military theoretically just not pay you because they felt like it? Not for extenuating circumstances such as getting in trouble.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2019 11:44 PM

2019-01-06T23:44:28-05:00

What are you asking?

The military isn't volunteerism you are entitled to pay, that's why it's called entitlements.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 12:07 AM

2019-01-07T00:07:14-05:00

Respectfully, that’s wrong. Incorrect. Certainly not right.
Please see DD Form 4/1. ENLISTMENT/REENLISTMENT DOCUMENT ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES

Section B, 8. Has a section where your paygrade is inserted.
Section C, 9, a(5): “Entitled to receive pay, allowances, and other benefits as provided by law and regulation.”

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd0004.pdf

dd0004.pdf

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 7 at 2019 12:52 AM

2019-01-07T00:52:11-05:00

Yeah no... In fact, it can be argued a breach of contract if you never receive payment. However, I feel as if this is being asked in the context of the shutdown, in which case there is a plan in place for all SMs to receive their pay if the situation arises where it does not arrive. It isn't that people are not getting paid, they are just getting paid a little late.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 7 at 2019 6:05 AM

2019-01-07T06:05:28-05:00

The military is entitled pay. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 8:03 AM

2019-01-07T08:03:37-05:00

Pay is an entitlement, so yes. Your contract stipulates what pay grade you came in at for pay and that you will get paid. Your contract also states that you are obligated to attend all drills and annual training at a minimum.
A little more context would be helpful, but I am guessing that your E6 is doing a poor job of addressing either possible problems from a shutdown or specific Soldiers with pay problems who think that if they don't receive pay (or a bonus payment) in a timely manner, they don't have to show up anymore.
MDAYs/TPUs must report for all scheduled duty, the Army must pay them.
If you fail to report, you are AWOL, if the Army fails to pay you in a timely manner, they are merely delinquent. All duty eventually gets paid, AWOL does not, and you are not going to fix a pay problem by not showing up.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 7 at 2019 12:10 PM

2019-01-07T12:10:36-05:00

The single most important phrase in your post is "...based on something someone said." Who is someone?

I have no idea what you are asking. Repeating it over like you have, doesn't make it any clearer. Your question sounds like "sovereign citizen" or "traveller" mythology.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jan 7 at 2019 6:10 PM

2019-01-07T18:10:09-05:00

Yeah, about that...
Recite after me:

“The military, including the Reserves, is fully funded through September 2019. The current shutdown does not in any way affect the Department of Defense.”

Write it down, memorize it, whatever.