Largest Military Pay Raise In 20 Years Headed to Biden's Desk As Part of Defense Bill

Army charges for food if you live on bass. Takes it out of their pay. A few years back it was over $300 monthly. Food is mediocre at best even in the special operations community. Living quarters on base are gross. Heat, A/C, hot water do not work. There’s mold. But hey, trillions gone in the Iraqi/Afghan wars and billions to Ukraine. Our troops can eat crappy food, live in crappy barracks and get their whooping 4.6% raise on their already crappy salaries. Yes I have a son in the military.

Army charges for food if you live on bass. Takes it out of their pay.

The Army pays enlisted a separate "Basic Allowance for Sustenance" of $400/mo to cover food costs. If they eat at the chow hall, some of that BAS is recovered. On Jan 1, BAS will increase to $450/month.

Don't disagree, but all services charge for food. If you eat in the chow hall, you do not receive commuted rations pay. If you do receive Comrats, you pay to eat in a chow hall. So effectively yes everyone pays who eats in the chow hall or messhall if you prefer.

The Corps has rebuilt and remodeled its barracks over the last ten years. I find it hard to believe the Army has not been doing the same. Chow halls are contracted, the food is prepared in a very general way for mass consumption. The last time I ate food from the chow hall, it was actually not bad. Ate a lot worse food over the years in chow halls around the world.

As recently as 2016, we had an issue with mold found in a barracks room. Eventually the entire lower deck was relocated and the walls ripped out and remodeled. The last Army barracks I stayed in was nothing to write home about. But I know for a fact they were remodeled because a friend sent me a photo. During Reserve weekends we stayed there. It was so old I swear the fixtures were installed around the time 1stLt Jack Pershing stayed there😀

2022 monthly pay

E1 - 1695.00 ... 1833.30 @ 4 mos. svc.
E2 - 2054.70
E3 - 2160.60 ... 2435.70 @ 3 yrs. svc.
E4 - 2393.40 ... 2905.50 @ 6 yrs. svc.
E5 - 2610.30 ... 3704.40 @ 12 yrs. svc.
E6 - 2849.40 ... 4413.30 @ 18 yrs. svc.
E7 - 3294.30 ... 5921.10 @ 26 yrs. svc.
E8 8 yrs svc: 4739.10 ... 6759.00 @ 30 yrs. svc.
E9 10 yrs svc: 5789.10 ... 8988.90 @ 38 yrs. svc.

FY 2023, $1,636 per month minus any BAS which is $450 per month. Housing depends on location. Generally no recruit rates BAS because in boot camp you eat in dining facilities. Promotion to E-2 base pay jumps up $200.

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