Flying...or paying rent

[Ryoukai]

The topic regarding 0-1 pay has brought another question to mind. Is flying worth the relatively low military pay? I mean, no offense to any officers in here, but it's not as if you guys are raking in the big bucks...or even the medium bucks. Another issue I thought about was how difficult it would be to maintain a relationship with the long deployments and such. Does flying make up for all that one gives up when joining the military?

 

[olpa9901]

Who needs big bucks - you get to fly some of the best aircraft in existance.

 

[virtu050]

you'll earn enough to live a comfortable life... Especially after a few years of service.

 

[Dupe]

Granted, I'm not making as much as I should with my engineering degree, I'm still doing well money-wise. An 0-1 in Pensacola makes about $36k - $37k (and about 25% isn't taxed). Here's the secret to having money in the military: hold off on getting married and having kids. If you're dependentless, I'll swear on my NATOPS that you'll have more money than you can spend.

 

[perchul]

A few points, first Ryouki you live in Hawaii where the cost of living is absurd and because of that the military has a cost of living allowance. You need to remember there is pay beyond the base salary. Secondly I assume you either don't go to a four year university or your parents are quite wealthy because if your single with no kids that is quite a bit of money in my opinion, I would of been a god in college if I had just $300 a week. While it wouldn't be to difficult to find a job that you would hate that would pay more I think for many of us it wouldn't be worth it. You won't be living the MTV lifestyle but thats fine everyone who does is a jackass, and just about all are that way because of mommy and daddy.

 

[46Driver]

They once asked a rich man why he continued to work for the govt. He replied, "I could make millions by myself, but the govt job gives me toys that cost billions..." Pay goes up nicely from 0-1 - figure around $90k a year + a $25k a year bonus for all Navy pilots and for fixed wing only Marine pilots. Don't forget the free medical, dental, life insurance, and Space-A travel - and then retirement after 20 years. If you are thinking about those big paying airline jobs on the outside - well, they are drying up faster than a snowman on an August Pensacola day. You will probably have to start in a regional where you will make about $20k your first year and $30k the second - trust me, the airlines are over-rated (at least until you get on with a big company - the competition is brutal...)

 

[Laxanation]

Is the pay different for different jobs? I mean does an O-1 pilot make as much as an O-1 engineer (which is what I'm looking into) or an O-1 Nuke, or an O-1 anything....

Seems to me if you are really concerned with making the "big bucks" you wouldn't stay in the military, but your time there would be beneficial to you. You would be a Navy Officer, getting big responsibility and experience right out of college. Why not spend the first 4-5 years on the job doing something like that instead of starting out shuffling papers at the bottom end of a company. Then if you DO decide to leave the military, you would be 10 times further ahead than the rest of the applicants at a job on the outside.

Somebody had been watching too many Navy TV commercials...I'll stop now.

 

[HrntDrvrsWife]

Another issue I thought about was how difficult it would be to maintain a relationship with the long deployments and such

Maintaining any relationship is challenging, but more so when you are away so much. Being a spouse in the Navy is even more so challenging, but VERY rewarding to those who are able to take the challenge on in a positive way and support their officer.
I have learned communication is key to success in any relationship with a military person. Whether it be girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse as long as you are honest and upfront about everything the military lifestyle brings along then you will find the right person. Don't get me wrong finding that person can very difficult. It's also a learn as you go process, and as long as you both are willing to learn together then there should be minimal problems.
Being a Navy spouse has it's ups and downs

, but more ups than downs. The rewards outweight the negatives (in my oppinion)! Knowing that we are contributing to the success of our officer is very satisfying.
As far as deployments go...Navy spouse's have an amazing network of support unlike any other! In a way, they become your surrogate spouse's while our spouse is away. Another way to look at is...every time you come back from deployment it's like having your honeymoon all over again

Which more than makes up for the time they spent away!

 

[goplay234]

Laxanation,
Every officer in a particular paygrade makes the same base pay. Where it differs is in the bonuses that everyone recieves. They vary from designator to designator. I know that Nukes make the most money by far but you will have to look into the rest on your own. Hope this helps.

 

[chiplee]

Originally posted by olpa9901
Who needs big bucks - you get to fly some of the best aircraft in existance.

Yeah I'll echo that for sure. How much is it worth to love your job? Can you even place a value on that? You'll spend 1/3 of your life working. How many of us know civilians who absolutely hate to go to work? It's a hackneyed statement, but money isn't everything. If you're recreating in one of the best ways you know how at work, that's good clean livin'

 

[bunk22]

Obviously the pay for a new officer isn't great. I'm sure the same goes for most entry level civilian jobs as well. Many of the benefits of being in the military have already been mentioned by 46driver. As for me, I make decent money for a military officer. I'm an O-4 with flight pay, BAH, and the 5-year bonus. Plus every two years, I get an increase in pay, albeit a small one. For now, I'm going to gross $84K this year in Norfolk, VA and it will go up to about $95K in San Diego, CA next year with the BAH increase. Oh yeah, factor in my $25K a year for 5 years and I'm grossing 6 figures for the next many years to come. I'm not rich by any means but I do okay. Don't get me wrong, if the airlines were hiring like they were a few years ago, I would gone that way but my timing has never been good.

 

[46Driver]

bunk22,
Your timing is perfect. If you were hired within the last few years by Delta, United, American, TWA, Northwest, Continental, or USAir, you would be furloughed and on the street now. We just had a reservist here in the HT's whose has been with Northwest for 5 years get furloughed - he is now flying helos for PHI. Many of these guys are not going to be called back within 5 years - some never. Its not pretty out there..

 

[Kevincjr1]

I have been hearing all of this talk about the bonuses that officers get after they have served a number of years. Could someone please clearify this... how many years do you have to be in to get the bonuses? How much are the bounes? How are they dispursed to you? Thanks for any replies in advance.

Kevin

 

[jaerose]

You know...if you live in the BOQ, or family housing on base then you won't have to worry about paying rent at all. Problem solved! I'm glad I could help =)

JR

 

[HrntDrvrsWife]

Great idea jaerose!

HrntDrvrsWife