Theodore's World

Ok, I've got to say something on this.

How can it be Obama's or any presidents fault how Veterans are living? A Veteran is someone who has served and then gotten out of the military. The military, @government, is no longer responsible for them. All they are responsible is for injuries incurred while on active duty. Why is it the government's fault they are now on food stamps? I would say that being on food stamps that the government is still taking care of them.

Also, lower ranking military members with big families have been on food stamps for over 30 years. Lower ranking military members don't get paid a lot. That's one of the reasons you work had to get promoted. Along with promotion comes not only increased responsibility but increased pay. When my second son was born, I was a Master Sergeant (E-7), living in base housing and I qualified for WIC. I was married and had one other son and making pretty good money as an E-7 but I still qualified. Since I lived in base housing, I forfeited my quarters allowance so only my base pay was the qualifier for WIC. They didn't even include by BAS (food allowance).

An E-3 today with two years service makes $1899.90 per month. His/Her BAS rate is $352.27 per month. Now, BHA (Housing Allowance) varies dependent upon where they're stationed. Using Whiteman AFB, Missouri which has a very low cost of living, this E-3 will get $891 per month for housing allowance. This young enlisted member with a wife and two children makes $3143.17 per month or $37,718.04 per year. That's not a bad salary for a young 20 year old just starting out in life with very little job experience. Oh yea, I almost forgot, his/her BAS and BHA are tax free. That's $14900 per year tax free income. If I was still active duty today as an E-8 over 26, my pay and allowance would come to almost $90,000 per year. As an enlisted person, I can't comprehend making that kind of money per year.

That's why you work had and do your job to the best of your ability in the military. Like I said above, you get promoted and make more money. Within three years, that young E-3 could be an E-5, adding about $10,000 or more to his salary. That's not a bad pay increase for only three years.

I agree Bob. A young EM with a "large" family obviously did not plan well. Whether he came into the srvice with that large family or grew it after enlisting is not the military's fault or obligation. When I enlisted I was debt free. Except for one 6 month period I stayed debt free. Never had a family so that helped. Also, I did not purchase what I could not afford. As a batchelor and being fiscally conservative, I made ample money even as an E-3. When I made E-6 and drew proPay and jump pay I was putting money in the bank.

The military is not responsible for your spending habits.