NationStates Jolt Archive

How do you feel about it? Should it be increased, decreased, or remain constant? Poll coming.

I think the rates of increase they've done over the last few years is sufficient. When I was an E-1 (in 2000) I didn't quite make $1,000/month. Now E-1s make over $1,000. With free housing and food the pay really isn't too bad. When I got out as an E-4(P) I was making about $1,700/month, which isn't bad when you don't have any bills.

How do you feel about it? Should it be increased, decreased, or remain constant? Poll coming.

I would rather we not need a standing army, but I do acknowledge the fact that the grunts on the ground end up biting the bullet far too often. Raise the pay, and stop sending them where they don't need to go.

Depends how much they're paid now, I presume.

Although, I'll say increase. Hell, I'm British, It's not coming out my taxes, is it?

Depends how much they're paid now, I presume.

Although, I'll say increase. Hell, I'm British, It's not coming out my taxes, is it?

I support it.

I don't pay it, I don't care.

I need to know how much they are paid now before I can possibly answer this question.

Voted more. But my true opinion is: A HELL of a lot more.

My opinion may be biased, but in complete self-interest I say BIG pay raise. :D

I think it should be chained to the growth in real disposable income for the US population; the money they make while in service is pretty much just spending money with the only expense being taxes, so it should be treated as disposable income and be calculated accordingly.

For reference, real disposable income is rising at 5% annually as of August; the soldiers should get a boost in pay of somewhere between 3.8% and 8.8% (the lower limit being the inflation rate and the higher being the nominal disposable income growth rate).

You might want to even chain it to unemployment, to address the problem of recruiting shortages during periods of strong economic growth.

Definetely increased, the troops do a job that no other people can possibly imagine. They are the ones deserving a pay raise, not the corrupt politicians who sent them to this pointless war.

How do you feel about it? Should it be increased, decreased, or remain constant? Poll coming.

It needs to be increased, they don't get paid nearly enough.

Meh. Don't really care.

Joining the military should involve monumental sacrifice and be a truly difficult decision to make. The pay should be lowered.

Joining the military should involve monumental sacrifice and be a truly difficult decision to make. The pay should be lowered.

Right. Because getting your legs blown off isn't enough of a sacrifice.

Right. Because getting your legs blown off isn't enough of a sacrifice.
That's the risk than someone takes when they join the military. However, I am not adverse to the idea of soldiers who are injured in combat receiving far more compensation than they currently do.

How about same pay, but big increase in disability/compensation for families?

Might encourage looking after your troops better.

You should pay them as much as you need to to entice recruits.

The major problem with the Canadian Forces is the terrible pay, so we're dreadfully short of soldiers. When I looked into the Forces in 1998 or so a 2nd Lieutenant grossed $845/month, plus had to pay rent to live on the base and buy his own uniforms.

You should pay them as much as you need to to entice recruits.

The major problem with the Canadian Forces is the terrible pay, so we're dreadfully short of soldiers. When I looked into the Forces in 1998 or so a 2nd Lieutenant grossed $845/month, plus had to pay rent to live on the base and buy his own uniforms.
Why would Canada need a large military?

Pay Charts (http://www.military.com/military/benefits/0,15465,military_pay_charts,00.html)

Why would Canada need a large military?
Not so much large as larger. There was a time when Canada could leverage its military power for eceonomic gain. The Auto-Pact with the US was such an arrangement (we patrolled something for the US - Cypress, or the Sinai - I forget which).

Currently, the total manpower of the Canadian Forces, at all levels in all 3 branches, is 35,000 soldiers. No wonder Denmark thinks they can steal our islands, or the US thinks they can sail our passages without permission.