by Ted Sherman

Created on: September 23, 2007   Last Updated: September 09, 2008

I won't go into exact details on military pay. It keeps changing all the time, so if you want exact current dollar figures, check out official sites online or contact a military pay specialist. The "truth" as titled here, seems to want to bring out how unfair military pay is compared to civilian compensation. In my personal experience, and especially with the enormous raises in military pay since my Navy days, a military career can be a very satisfying one, if not up in the millionaire class.

The disadvantages first. Top on the list: you could get your butt shot off in a combat situation. If that worries you, you don't have to read my essay any further. Second, unless you're a recent college or service school grad and start your career as an officer, you starting pay as a raw recruit will be low.

However, there are many, many ways to change that within months of your graduation from basic or boot camp. Service schools, correspondence and online education, on-the-job training and just plain doing your work better than anyone else are just of the few opportunities.

Another potentially negative part of a military career is long deployment to US bases around the world. Of course, combat is the most dangerous, but two or three years of boring duty in Korea, Germany and other foreign countries can have a unhappy effect family life. Separation for long periods of time is always trying.

One more disadvantage comes to mind. I remember, when I was a lowly Navy unrated seaman, and spending weeks or months waiting for assignments. I'd be rounded up with the other guys to go out on work gangs to clean up the area, pull guard duty, load trucks, scrape and paint, help in galleys (kitchens) and other menial jobs. The implication then, and I guess it persists now, is that your body belongs to the service 24-7, and if you're pushed 80 hours a week, there's no overtime pay.

OK, that's some of the bad stuff. Now the good stuff. The gripe about military pay may come from the lower-level characters who never try to better themselves. Once a career path starts, and with a good work history, and by taking educational opportunities, there's no limit. I was a reservist and did two wartime active duty call-ups, Within just four years of active and weekend warrior service, starting at age 18, I went from E1 to E7 by age 22.

Another advantage, and this seems to beat the hell out of many civilian careers, is that a 20-year career offers retirement ... usually before age 40 ... with half pay;

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