Enlisted Soldier $26,967 (Sample based on a Sergeant (E5) with 4 years service
married with dependents.)
Housing $11,700
Food Allowance $3,533
Special Pay $1,800
Tax Advantages $2,262 (most allowances are tax exempt)
Health Care—included*
As a Soldier, you can take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill and the Army College Fund to pay for your college education. Depending on how long you enlist with the Army and the job you choose, you can get up to $73,836 to help pay for college. All you have to do is give $100 a month during your first year of service. If you select the Army College Fund, the total amount is combined with the MGIB.*
After taking out about $8,000 in income tax, FICA, and Medicare, the sergeant and his wife have about $19,000 in take-home pay. Close to poverty level. At least they have employment guaranteed. The Army isn't laying off employees like the private sector is.
Army may be all that any young person can be.
*Source: http://goarmy.com
"I'm against a new GI bill. It will discourage soldiers from reenlisting." John McCain, June 2008.
Does this make sense? It might encourage soldiers to enlist in the first place.
