Why are rear echelon troops officers and why should they get paid more than front-line combat infantrymen?

Question

Such as: A supply clerk that doesn't get more that 100 miles away from the front-lines, is a Captain (O-3), and gets paid 3,407.40, but a front line combat infantry private (E-2) only gets paid $1,509.90. Even with combat pay bonuses, it is nowhere near fair. Why are rear echelon troops always higher ranks?

Answer 1

First off, there are no "front lines" in an insurgency.  From the day you arrive until you get on the freedom bird, you are "in the mix".  Second off, all units are commanded by Officers, from a Quartermaster Mess Kit Repair Company to a Light weapons Infantry Company. If you look at the TO&E (Tables of Organization and Equipment) you will learn that Soldiers are assigned by skill level, and need.  For example, an Infantry Company will have 120 skill level 1 infantrymen, 12 skill level 2 or 3  (Squad leaders) and 4 skill level 3 or 4 Platoon Sergeants, The company will also have a Supply Sergeant Skill level 3 and 2ea Supply Clerks, skill level 1.  The same company will have a Captain in Command, 4 ea platoon leaders and a company XO.  Please check your facts!  Oh and by the way, the Supply personnel are not 100 miles away, but in the company CP.  I am guessing you are a civilian.

Update: QM officers can and do become General Officers.  Supply is critical.  Imagine having a 75 million dollar tank and no fuel, or worse, no ammunition? Quartermaster Soldiers provide all classes of supply, including Ammo, rations, repair parts, and all-important in the Middle East, water. Quartermaster Soldiers pack every parachute used by the Army.  Moreover, our most solemn task is collecting and laying to rest our fallen.  For every Infantryman in the field, 10 Soldiers ("in the rear" your words) are needed to keep him fed, fueled supplied and if necessary, laid to rest.

Answer 2

Infantry men are the workers and the Officers are the managers.  The army/world needs both.

Answer 3

I've been in almost six years, and I've never met any officer that holds the title "clerk".

Answer 4

Enlisted ranks are payed according to a pay scale dependent upon your paygrade/speciality. Officer ranks are also payed on a pay scale according to their rank. An E-2 in the rear area and an E-2 in the front line both get the same rate of pay. Same goes for the officers.

It was said that it takes about 10 support troops to support 1 combat troop, therefore, most of the troops are in support of the combat operations and most of the support troops are enlisted, not officers.

In WW1, a private made $21.00 a month. When I joined in '58, I made $72.00 per month. Really over paid, huh?

Answer 5

This is sort of like asking why does the CEO make more money than the factory worker in the same company and the question doesn't make much sense to me.

I'm not sure where you're going with this but the reason an O-3 gets paid more than an E-2 should be pretty obvious.

As to why are they stationed where they are stationed: that's where they are needed.  

Answer 6

They aren't. Your specific job doesn't guarantee you what your rank will be. You get your rank based on performance and time in grade, not by how dangerous it is. You get paid according to your rank. Officers get paid more than enlisted because they have more responsibility  

Answer 7

officers have college degrees too. not saying it makes them better but theyve done their time in school

Answer 8

If thgat is true the it is wrong,wrong and wrong.

Answer 9

I call BS, since when is an officer a "clerk".  What about an infantry officer?  Or an armor officer?  Or an MP officer?

SF Officer?

Do I need to go on?  The difference between junior officers and junior enlisted pay is NOWHERE near the differential between the civilian equivalents.  

Answer 10

You're comparing apples & oranges.  1st off, you're showing the difference in pay between an O3 & an E2.  Those are completely different ranks so the pay isn't going to be the same no matter where their location is.

To answer your question, your pay is based off your rank & time in service.  Minus hazard duty pay, an O3 in the rear & an O3 on the front lines make the same.