by Vickie Gross

Created on: November 30, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

The truth about military pay can be found in a soldiers' Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). A soldiers' rank, pay grade, accrued leave time, years of service, housing allowance if applicable, and so forth is tallied in a monthly pay report known as the LES.

All new soldiers entering into the military are given a time of basic training for which they are housed in military barracks. There is no rent or boarding fees, clothing, transportation, or any other costs to the soldier during this time. Uniforms, food, water, electric, transportation, and all other necessities are provided for at no financial cost to the soldier, save for the required Federal taxes and State taxes if applicable.

Many soldiers are often young, unmarried, and without much if any personal debt when they first enter into the military. During the training stage, there is not much freedom for the soldier to spend much of his or her earnings on personal pleasures.

The first LES is more likely to be a "money in the bank" credit statement in place of cash in hand, and therefore often helps to offset the culture shock of such initially low pocket change.

For soldiers who are married, there is a certain award called Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ). This BAQ is to support the soldiers' non-military spouse and/or children who are not yet able to receive on-post housing due to the soldiers' initial training.

After the initial training, soldiers are then sent to receive their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Again, this is a no-cost living and educational atmosphere provided for all soldiers. The BAQ is still in effect until a permanent duty station has been assigned, and dependant upon whether or not on-post housing is available for the soldiers' family once the soldier has reached his or her permanent duty station.

If on-post housing is not available, the BAQ is not removed from the soldiers' income. If on-post housing is available, then the BAQ award will be removed from the soldiers' LES once a suitable house has been provided on post for the soldier and his or her family. This housing and all basic utilities are free of charge for as long as the soldier and his or her family reside within post housing.

In rare instances, an individual soldier who has a higher rank can be given BAQ if there is no barrack space available to accommodate lower ranking and unwed soldiers.

The higher the rank and time in grade, the more pay and BAQ a soldier will receive monthly. For some soldiers receiving

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