My other favorite is Active Duty on food stamps…..probably 50% of their pay (BAH and BAS combined) is tax free, AND they can shop at the commissary. So, it’s more likely Lance Coolie or Joe went out and mortgaged a Dodge Charger Scat Pack at 23% interest to impress his buddies or stripper wife.
And before the usual crowd shows up to whine I’m disparaging the troops - I’m a combat wounded vet with four combat tours, and as an NCO and SNCO had to deal with the ramifications of these children and their poor financial decision making on a regular basis.
The “married a stripper and mortgaged a car” stereotype exists for a reason. If they need to be on SNAP on Active Duty it’s likely due to poor financial choices.
There's a reason used car dealerships, pawn shops, payday loans and strip clubs line the streets outside every post.
PFC: "Check out my new ride, Sarge. It was only $1k down. I can totally afford $150 a month."
Sarge: "How much was it?"
PFC: "Just $150 a month."
Sarge: "For how long?"
PFC: "I don't know. Maybe 8 or ten years. Maybe 15. But she looks good. I'll replace the radio cause it don't work. And I can fix the windows. Maybe some spinners on the new wheels."
Sarge: *thinking to himself* "You just don't listen. You just signed up to pay thirty thousand dollars for a used Mustang/Pick up/Cadillac worth two thousand dollars. When the car is junked next year you still have to pay for it. And the dealership lenders WILL come after you and garnish your pay."
***BREAK***
E-4: "Sarge, I really need a 4-day pass or leave to get married next week."
Sarge: "Who do want to marry? Hometown girl or someone you just met?"
E-4: "I met the love of my life last week. We were at the Club and I fell in love at first sight. She loves me."
Sarge: "Why do you need to marry her next week?" (Sarge thinking impregnation after five days)
E-4: "Well, she was on probation and will probably be sentenced to jail next week. Nothing big. Probably only a few months or a year. But she needs someone to take care of her kids. I figure if I marry her, then we can take care of those kids. Army syle.
Sarge: "What does she do for a living, taking care of the kids?"
E-4: "She's a dancer. An exotic dancer, if you know what I mean. She loves music and dances and dances. The more I helped her, the more she loved me. I started with some ones, then fives. Once I got to 20s she loved me more than anything. I need to marry her for the kids.
Sarge: (shaking head) I wish no enlistees could marry. I remember when you had to have the Company Commander's authorization.
My father was a First Sgt. Many of his married junior enlisted were eligible for food stamps. It had nothing to do with the cars they bought as eligibility is determined by income, not outgo.