[cva66snipe]

I just did some checking. An E-4 over 3 yrs service in 2001 had a base pay of $1500.60 Looking at today's base pay is about $2193 a month for same rank and time in service. Net increase of about $693 dollars from 2001- 2014. Or just under a 50% pay increase in base pay in those 14 years. 2193 X 12 = $26,316 per year today for an E-4 over 3 before taxes.

An E-4 over 3 yrs in 1996 had a monthly base pay of $1209.30. So the increase between 1996 and 2001 was roughly $291. The increase between 1996 and 2014 for an E-4 over with 3 years is a $984 increase in the pay for E-4 with over 3 years. Actual base pay only increased $984 over 18 years. Sources http://www.navycs.com/charts/1996-military-pay-chart.html and http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

[cva66snipe]

In 1980 the base pay for an E-4 over 3 years time in service was 603.90 a month. Source: http://www.navycs.com/charts/1980-military-pay-chart.html Of course back then in Norfolk in the Oceanview community a two bedroom apartment went for about $230 a month plus utilities.

Rent today in a similar military in Norfolk {most Oceanview apartments got leveled in about 2002} would likely now be $800 or more a month plus utilities. Has military pay really gone up vs cost of living meaning are troops actually making more money compared to the economy when ones before them served? Most likely Not.