Compared to the rest of the country, is the military overpaid? Figuring in all benefits, retirement, leave, job security etc...

2015-05-31T21:12:57-04:00

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 31 at 2015 9:13 PM

2015-05-31T21:13:56-04:00

Considering the nature of our collective jobs, no. We receive what is deserved.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 31 at 2015 9:15 PM

2015-05-31T21:15:17-04:00

Overpaid? No. Well compensated? Yes.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 9:35 PM

2015-05-31T21:35:43-04:00

Not at all, because at any given notice we are expected to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 9:35 PM

2015-05-31T21:35:57-04:00

No we are not, with the whole warrior athlete idea we are underpaid. Look at NFL and MLB athletes making millions, for running around with a ball.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 9:44 PM

2015-05-31T21:44:32-04:00

We work with a standard pay according to our rank and additional skills. CQ, Staff Duty, weekend details, subject to emergency or accountability formations, no guaranteed work hours (no definite 9-5), and no overtime pay. We earn a decent pay, but we definitely aren't overpaid.

We have nice compensations (2 weeks leave, healthcare, BAH, COLA, room and board, school tuition, DFACs, etc.) and relative job security. Those I feel are what even out the playing field with our civilian counterparts. And are what keep the new recruits coming.

Response by SSG James Arlington made May 31 at 2015 9:55 PM

2015-05-31T21:55:40-04:00

No. Compared to civilian professionals, underpaid.

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made May 31 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-05-31T22:01:16-04:00

Well I would say some of us are underpaid, some properly compensated, and some over paid. As for benefits the military does dawn well but for vision care. Never understood that. I can get top notch medical care, meds, better than average dental (so long as I don't need braces or a crown), great savings on grocerie and household good, separate pay for groceries and housing, but can't get a pair of decent glasses? Weird. Toss in the automatic 30 days of leave from day one, I don't think many in the military can complain. Unless you wear glasses. O_o

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 31 at 2015 10:03 PM

2015-05-31T22:03:27-04:00

Let them spend 20 minutes down range and check back.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Jun 1 at 2015 1:02 AM

2015-06-01T01:02:17-04:00

Its funny but in a split of a second that I saw this I thought I saw " Is Hilary Clinton over paid?" until I slowed down and looked at it again.
But personally I think no there not over paid.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 1 at 2015 1:12 AM

2015-06-01T01:12:51-04:00

NO.
I am not an economist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

You should make way way more money BEING a Soldier then playing a Soldier on TV.
The real hero wears a MILITARY uniform not a football uniform.

Our Society is majorly screwed up in who we elevate to Hero Status, and make into millionaires.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 4:48 AM

2015-06-01T04:48:41-04:00

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-percentage-are-you-based-on-income-do-you-think-you-are-adequately-compensated

Lots of very similar threads on this topic. The one attached here looks at base pay only and compares this to national averages. Conclusion: your question is well-posed, as comparing base pay only is a terrible way of comparing compensation, because such a huge portion of military compensation comes from non-pay benefits.

To answer your question, I believe military base pay is just about right, and that the total compensation package that military members receive makes them well-compensated.

What “percentage” are you, based on income? Do you think you are adequately compensated? |...

Do you think you are adequately compensated in comparison to your civilian “peers” or do you think the military personnel are under-paid? If you think military personnel are underpaid, why? If you think you, in particular, are underpaid, why? Even if one ONLY CONSIDERS BASE PAY, military compensation compares really well to nationwide averages. Personally, I’d be quite happy with more pay; why not? But I’d assess that the total compensation...

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 1 at 2015 7:03 AM

2015-06-01T07:03:10-04:00

The U.S. military is well-compensated compared to many NATO Nations.

As an International Student sponsor last year, I was almost ashamed how much I was earning compared to my international counterpart. For a career NCO from a European nation, my pay was 2/3 more than what he was bringing home.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 1 at 2015 7:15 AM

2015-06-01T07:15:55-04:00

I don't think a civilian has ever had to give up "half" their compensation for a coffin rack for 6-9 months at a time.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 7:26 AM

2015-06-01T07:26:14-04:00

I am glad to see that most have been reasonable in their response to this.

Overpaid/underpaid?

The answer is pretty universal and simple.

I am underpaid in the job I have, and you are overpaid for what you do :) Well, at least that is the way I have always heard it debates.

In reality, I have held jobs with similar responsibilities in the military, government, and the private sector. Basically the pay and benefits were fairly comparable EXCEPT for the lower enlisted pay. That has improved but in my day it was pretty poor. Of course I at least had 3 meals a day and a bed to sleep in at night.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 7:30 AM

2015-06-01T07:30:28-04:00

Compared to who? The $15/Hr hamburger flippers, or the multi million dollar per year sports athletes!

Response by SrA Johnathan Kropke made Jun 1 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-06-01T08:41:58-04:00

For what we do and the hours we work........that would be a no to being overpaid, I actually got paid better without benefits before the military, but because of what I do now I will get much better pay as a civilian.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Jun 1 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-06-01T11:07:54-04:00

We get pay more then most country, but still underpaid.

I make more money as a security guard then even if were an e-3 active duty.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-06-01T11:56:52-04:00

Lets compare the military to the civilian world...

Civilians operate in a line of work where they can NEVER be expected to lay down their lives (Exception: Firefighters, EMTs and LEOs).

The military operates in a line of work where they can, at any time, be expected to lay down their lives.

That pretty much sums up the only comparison that really matters where it concerns military vs. civilian compensation.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 1 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-06-01T16:32:38-04:00

The military is compensated well. One doesn't join for wealth or a high income, but the purpose of joining is for service and with that comes sacrifice. We are given enough to afford all that we need to survive comfortably.

Are we underpaid? Probably for some career fields, but that's the not point of service.