I am not sure I agree with you shopgirl. To the best of my understanding you have the option of living in base housing (not the nicest granted) as an enlisted member or securing a place off base that comes with a housing supplement.
Food stamps are a way for families to get ahead in some ways because I believe that some of the "extra money" military personel get doesn't show up as conventional income. Hence they can subsidize their food purchases by qualifying for food stamps even at a higher (invisible) income. But I could be wrong here.
But what do you purpose as an answer? We are fielding a full time proffessional army that has historically always been a drain on its host country because it has no purpose when there is peace.
I am not belittling the idea of honor and glory. Or even the more practical concept of domestic security. But what kind of value do you want to put on service?
If you live your entire career in the military "prepared" for conflict that never comes would that diminish your service and should that be compensated less?
You do make more money in actual War Time.
I am just not quite sure where you are going. If I made 1200 a month and was single, had a clothing allowance, housing/food, and was single I could live. (Colllege lol).
If I were to marry and have kids at a very low pay grade with little room for advancement that might be different.
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Originally posted by shopgirl
James,
You are correct. Time and grade makes a huge difference. Indeed the enlisted get shafted. And it is the lower rank enlisted men and women who have to use food stamps in order to get by.
Thank you for sharing your information.
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