BAS for Enlisted Members vs Officers

[blarged]

While looking over pay information on http://www.defenselink.mil I noticed that the BAS pay is significantly higher for enlisted vs. officers.

from: http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/pay/bas/index.html[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The following Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rates are the new rates effective Jan. 1, 2009[/FONT].
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Officers
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$223.04/month[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Enlisted Members
$323.87/month [/FONT]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind this difference?

 

[scoolbubba]

probably because base pay for o's is more.

 

[FMRAM]

E's need more calories because they work harder. I keed I keed.

 

[jwac85]

The reason is because the O's get paid more than us E's. While on shore this might seem like a benefit, it actually evens out in the end because when/if you go to the boat(as an E), you will lose your BAS in exchange for delicious Navy cuisine. O's keep their BAS, but have to pay for their meals on the boat, which is around $10 a day.

You can do the math. It basically is just a small tax advantage for enlisted personnel while they are on shore.

 

[fc2spyguy]

There are certain things that officers are expected to cover the cost of out of pocket that enlisted are not. I for one have no problem having a smalling BAS and no yearly uniform allowance. The difference in one month's pay more than makes up for any shortage through that entire year.

 

[Flying Low]

Sea pay is lower as well.