Is it time to restructure militay pay

2014-05-16T21:23:51-04:00

Military pay is a hot topic right now and everyone wants to cut this cut that etc etc. What if the military were to go away from the current pay scale and incorporate BAH/BAS into base pay. They could then do like the GS pay scale and have locality pay for those that live in higher cost of living areas. Make all pay taxable and if you reside in the barracks you pay "rent" to live there. Chowhalls would stay open but everyone woudl be charged for their meals not just those receiving BAS. This would simplify the military pay system as well as raise tax receipts because all pay would be taxable

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 9:34 PM

2014-05-16T21:34:23-04:00

SSgt G.,

I see where you are coming from and it makes some sense. The only problem I see is that at the end of the day, the military is still a business. They have to get their return for the new crappy barracks they built. Profit-wise, it is cheaper to keep a SGT in the barracks, where based off the housing market, the room would rent for $200/ mo rather than give that person $1000 in BAH. The chowhalls are going to be paid under the current system, whether anyone eats there or not. I'm actually curious as to how many Soldiers would actually choose to eat there if given the choice. Even though I do not get BAS, I still opt to come out of pocket to prepare my own meals. The Army is making a few hundred bucks a month off of me (while I see my pay dwindling). Think of all of the Soldiers that are paying to eat there and do not. It would not be profitable to be fair around the board. They profit very much off of the single Soldiers by the inequities they are provided with.