| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front |
| Military Pay Increases |
| 2003-12-10 |
| Looks like good news for active duty soldiers and for vets. EFL Military personnel will see their basic pay more in line with that of civilian counterparts in the private sector in 2004 thanks to an increased pay and benefits compensation package included in the 2004 Defense Authorization Act approved by Congress this year. The act also includes changes to the controversial "concurrent receipt" issue. Air Force Col. Virginia S. Penrod, director of military compensation for the Defense Department, said the 2004 military pay and benefits plan provides for a 3.7 percent across-the-board pay increase and further targets pay increases for noncommissioned officers and warrant officers, some as high as 6.25 percent for senior-enlisted service members. In addition, service members will see 2004 increases in housing allowances and special incentive pay. Penrod said the average basic pay raise, which is equal to a little over 4 percent, helps to close the gap between military pay and civilian pay. "Everyone receives a 3.7 percent pay raise across the board, this is by law," she said, adding that the pay raise is a half percentage point more than the average private sector worker will earn. "The NCOs, E-5 through E-9, will receive targeted pay raises from 4.6 to 6.25 percent. And weâre also paying a targeted raise to our warrant officer grades." Penrod also noted that part of the pay incentive is to help retain senior noncommissioned officers. The highest pay raises, 6.25 percent, will go to E-9s with 26 years or more service. Article continues with info on change in vet benefits. |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #7 OP, cash can't pay for that type of pain. Shipman, most of the guys who worked for me got pretty good reenlistment checks. Also VHA and BAQ provided good cashflow that didn't show up as a wage per say. I would like to see more governemnt grants and loans tied to service. Also the GI Bill could be improved. Very few kids are ready for college before service anyway. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-10 5:06:30 PM |
| #6 On "concurrent receipt", just to set the record straight. I'm currently 70% disabled. My disability pay is $1100 a month, and my military retirement pay (E-7 with 26 years) is about $1575. I pay a little taxes, get a $100 bond every month, otherwise my pay is 'clean'. I bring in the $1100 Disability and $410 retirement. The first step in the ten-year Concurrent Receipt phaseout will result in my getting an extra $250 a month in TAXABLE retirement pay. It's only at the high end - nine or ten years - that Uncle Sugar stops taking a significant percentage of my retirement pay and giving it to me as disability pay. The amounts of retirement pay "discounted" from concurrent receipt rules is higher for 80, 90, and 100%, but nowhere is it 100% right from the get-go. Not a hell of a lot of "compensation" for chronic pain, 24/7, and some severe restrictions on everything, including daily activities most people take for granted. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-12-10 1:39:23 PM |
| #5 .com, Amen Bro! In the Military the only SIGNIFICANT pay increase comes when you make grade. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-12-10 1:31:30 PM |
| #4 Shipman, .com: Hey you guys, stop that ! A mouthful of Coke sprayed through the nose is painful ! |
| Posted by: Carl in N.H. 2003-12-10 1:23:59 PM |
| #3 Cyber Sarge - grade rise was the only way I ever saw an increase! Spc 5 sure as hell beat slick-sleeve! Ship - Which type do you mean, made-guys, free-lancers, or company men? |
| Posted by: ,com 2003-12-10 12:54:41 PM |
| #2 basic pay more in line with that of civilian counterparts How much do riflemen get in the private sector these days? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-10 12:26:16 PM |
| #1 For those that have not served a 3.7% is VERY big. I remember getting 2-2.5 percent pay raises during my twenty years of service. The targeting of career NCOs for additional raises is especially good. Still they make less than their civilian counter-part but they work for a non-profit entity. I remember my TI telling me in Basic: âYou will not get rich on military pay.â He was right! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-12-10 11:34:58 AM |