Enlisted soldiers pay

Question

Im currently in the army reserves as a 31bravo miltary police. I ship out on oct 28. Why are enlisted payed so little prepared to officers. I know your going to say education! education! education!. But what you dont realize e-7 and above tend to have there bachleors as education gives you promotion points. Responsibility wise nco carry the biggest burden if a soldier that he has grown to know dies. Officers might make the mistake the nco's see the horror that takes place because of an officers mistake. Im not degrading officer's but i believe enlisted should be payed more. Dont you think so?

Answer 1

I also feel the gap must be closed. However officers are paid for responsibility levels. They hold a great number of responsibilities. As a degree holder myself I thought long and hard about the difference. I finally settled on the Enlisted side because I'd rather be on the execution side rather than the decision side. Officers do alot of work and research that is not commonly seen. They are responsible for certain areas that require extensive work. I am happy with my pay as a SSG it provides a great living for my family. However, sometimes officers do make to much. The problem with some officers is they fail to make critical decisions. In this case an NCO will most of the time make the decision. Is this fair? No it's not. But what can you do? The mission must always be completed. Once you become an NCO you will have certain responsibilities to your platoon leader. Train him/her and give them all the information you can. It will only help the Army as a whole and prepare these young officers for those critical decisions later in their career. Good luck. Have a good un'.

Answer 2

I agree with you.  Enlisted I can say work harder.  My husband is deployed as an E4 and WOW.......  We make $2818.  a month.  We have 2 kids and it makes me sick that people in the united states makes more then he does.  If you figure that up he makes about 90 a day to risk his life.  I think the military should get paid more while over seas.  My husband is about to become a nco and trust me the pay don't get much better.  I want the Army to think about what the soldiers go through everyday because you can't put a dollar sign on the c**p they see everyday

Answer 3

ABSOLUTELY, THE GRUNTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE ARMY. THESE ARE THE GUYS THAT RUN THE ARMY. IF YOU DON"T BELIEVE IT JUST ASK THE FIRST SHIRT.THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS A LOT MORE OF US THEN THERE IS OF THEM.THE ANSWER: OCS. GOOD LUCK,SON AND THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME SAFE.

Answer 4

Its based on the officer was commissioned, the NCO was not. The officer got their education before joining, the nco that does have the degree, would need to start over as an officer. Most do not, because they are already an E-7 or whatever.

The officer ranks are a lot less than enlisted. To become an officer, you need college. To enlist, you do not. The pay is to try to compensate for what the educated person would get if they were civilian. The enlisted that was not commissioned, doesn't get that "bonus".

Also, consider this, enlisted gets uniform pay, officers do not. Enlisted get BAS, officers do not.

Yes, we enlisted do do more of the work, per se, but the officers do a lot of the decision making, on where to put troops and how they are to be trained, etc. All we do is do what they say, to some degree.

Without the pay structure, therre wouldn't be an incentive for people to be officers. There would be too many enlisted.

Answer 5

No. Do not judge (or make assessments) until you've walked in their shoes.  The responsibility level warrants the pay (believe me).  When an officer is home, he/she isn't REALLY home cuz they are constantly working (not to mention their phone is ALWAYS ringing).  

It is actually easier to be in control of "your lane" (E4 and below).  Enjoy this time while you can because once you get more responsibility (and you are responsible for others) you will see the real challenges with management..  

Actually the REAL challenge comes when a person is in charge of a WHOLE COMPANY (like a !SG or CMDR).  Their job includes ensuring the mission gets accomplished with no casualties or incidents.  

When you get older and have more tenure in the military you will see this.

Answer 6

no i think it is fair because officers carry alot more burden than and enlisted person. they go through a lot more school early on. some have more responbilities like pilots. i think it is truly fair

Answer 7

Im not juss saying this bc my husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan.. but he is an E-4 and DEFINITELY does not get paid enough for wat he does.. no matter if he has separation pay and housing pay. its not good enough.. and then wen he gets bak.. he will be getting paid less... they rle need to give all the soldiers a raise bc they go thru too much SH*T to be getting paid so little.