Military Pay : 2010

MILITARY PAY HAS ITS BENEFITS

The military compensation system can at first seem complex to navigate. Upon closer inspection, you'll see that the "complication" is actually a benefit: your military pay has not one, but many significant components that add up and positively impact the total monthly paycheck each servicemember earns.

To best understand the military pay system, start with the two most important elements of compensation in the military: basic pay and allowances.

Basic pay depends on your rank, and number of years of service in the military. Allowances are available for housing, cost of living, childcare, clothing and more.

And there is more. Military discounts on travel, vacations, product from cars to flowers to hotel rooms, even your local commissary - these all add dollars to your military paycheck and sense to your military lifestyle.

Start with your basic pay, add in military allowances and special pay, go farther with military discounts. These all serve to stretch your military paycheck and help you earn the maximum financial rewards inherent in today's military pay system.

:: Military Pay Charts

Basic Pay is given to members of the active duty military on a monthly basis. It is determined by their pay grade and their length of time in military service. Basic Pay, also known as Base Pay, is the same for all the services. The enlisted pay chart includes pay rates for all grades from E-1 through E-10 and for durations of military service ranging from less than four months to over 40 years.

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:: Reserve Drill Pay

Members of the Selected Reserve perform a minimum of one weekend drill per month and two week period of job-specific training. In exchange for drill, Guard/Reserve members receive monthly drill pay, which is equal to one day's active duty base pay for each drill period. When deployed or in Initial Active Duty Training (IADT) they are temporarily placed in full Active Duty status for the duration of their deployment or training orders.

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:: Incentive and Special Pay

Incentive and Special Pay can be received in addition to Basic Pay. A member entitled to special duty assignment pay may receive such pay in addition to any other pay and allowance to which they are entitled. Members who meet requirements may be awarded a special duty assignment rating to receive additional pay relative to combat, specified duties, and unique training.

:: Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

There are several types of BAH to satisfy various housing situations that occur among military members. In general, the amount of BAH you receive depends on your location, pay grade, and whether you have dependents. Under most circumstances, you receive BAH for the location where you are assigned, not where you live.