Military Pay and Benefits
By Rod Powers, About.com Guide to US Military
Military members receive base pay based on their rank and time in service. There are other special pays and allowances which are paid under certain circumstances. In addition, military members receive substantial benefits, such as medical care, dental care, discount shopping, education assistance, and other benefits.
Military Pay
Military members recive a monthly base pay which is based on their rank and time in service. Active duty members receive full-time pay, while guard an reserve members (who are not on active duty) receive part-time pay, or drill pay, depending on the number of drills they perform each month. Military pay is subject to income taxes unless it is earned in a designated combat zone.
- Active Duty Enlisted Base Pay
- Active Duty Warrant Officer Base Pay
- Active Duty Officer Base Pay
- Reserve Enlisted Drill Pay
Housing and Housing Allowances
The Military offers free or substidized housing to all its members. Single (unmarried) junior enlisted generally live on-base in the barracks, or dormitories. Senior unmarried enlisted members and single officers usually live off-base and receive a monthly housing allowance. Married members live on-base in government family housing, or on/off-base in contract housing, or off base, receiving a housing allowance. Housing allowances are not taxable.
- Housing and Barracks Overview
- Housing Allowance for Enlisted (with dependents)
- Housing Allowance for Enlisted (without dependents)
- Housing Allowance for Warrant Officers (with dependents)
- Housing Allowance for Warrant Officers (without dependents)
- Housing Allowance for Officers (with dependents)
- Housing Allowance for Officers (without dependents)
- Reserve Housing Allowance (Active duty for less than 30 days)
- Average Housing Allowance Rates
Misc. Allowances
Military members may be entitled to one or more special allowances depending on circumstances. In most cases, these allowances are not subject to income tax.
- Food Allowance (BAS)
- Dislocation Allowance
- Family Separation Allowance
- Child Support Allowance
- Clothing Allowance
Special Pays
Military members may be entitled to extra pay, depending on the circumstances. These special pays are subject to income tax, unless earned in a designated combat zone.
Re-Enlistment Bonuses
Enlisted members who agree to re-enlist into jobs that the service considers to be undermanned or critically manned may be entitled to a monetary re-enlistment bonus. Such bonuses are usually calculated using a "multiplier," assigned to that job, the member's current base pay, and the number of years the member is re-enlisting for.
- Army Re-Enlistment Bonuses
- Air Force Re-Enlistment Bonuses
- Navy Re-Enlistment Bonuses
- Marine Corps Re-Enlistment Bonuses
Education Benefits
The ability to begin, continue, or complete a college education is a valuable benefit. Through the Mongtomery G.I. Bill and Military tuition assistance programs, the U.S. Armed Forces offers its members the ability to obtain higher education.
- Education Benefits Overview
- Active Duty Montgomery G.I. Bill
- Reserve Montgomery G.I. Bill
- Army Tuition Assistance
- Air Force Tuition Assistance
- Navy Tuition Assistance
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
- National Guard Tuition Assistance
Misc. Benefits
Military members are entitled to various benefits, including discount shopping, recreation activities, Space-Available aircraft travel, leave (vacation time), medical and dental care, and more.
