Table 1 is ridiculous. An E-1 makes $70K in pay and benefits? Please!
I think soldiers are under paid in salary. I made 300 a month when I was in the Army.
But the numbers are what the numbers are according to CBO.
You have better numbers, I'm fine with that. But "please" is not a convincing argument.
The table includes all compensation, even that which is not included in basic pay. Medical, dental, housing, etc. for not only the member, but his/her family as well. What they’re saying is that “If you were on the outside, you would have to earn this much in order to maintain the type of lifestyle you’re currently living as an enlisted person.”
My Explanation of Benefits (correct term?) that I used to receive while in the service did this annually. It stated that in 2003 dollars, as an E-7, my total compensation was $55k. My base pay before taxes was about $34k.
I didn’t see where the CBO page mentioned the GI Bill benefits earned of ~ $48k, but I wonder if that’s included in their calculations somewhere as well.
Remember, bean counters find many creative ways to give the illusion that you are being either well paid or short changed. Basic Accounting gimmicks. It’s all about which column you place an entry in that makes a huge difference.