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Standard of living of newly commisioned ensign

G

GatorBoy44

Registered User
I am going to OCS at the end of January 07' as a SNA. I was thinking about buying a new car upon OCS graduation because mine is about to fall apart. I was just wondering what the usual "standard of living" was for a newly commisioned ensign. I don't really know exactly what I will be making paycheck wise. Can anyone give me any insight to this? Or examples of what price range will be affordable?
 
dodge

dodge

You can do anything once.
pilot
Do one search on "hookers and blow" and another on "ensignmobile" and you'll have things covered.

You could also google the DFAS 2007 Paychart and you can find exactly what you'll be making.
 
pennst8

pennst8

Next guy to ask about thumbdrives gets shot.
Contributor
We roll like fvcking drug lords.

Try not to spend all your money in one place... IE a car. You can get so much more stuff buying liquor, handguns, sports stuff, big screen TVs, new laptop, etc.

Or take out that loan and do both. There's plenty of corvettes, BMWs, etc in the lot at the a-pool. I drive a Taurus, which frees me up to buy ridiculous stuff.
 
N

Navyfan06

Registered User
pilot
In all honesty, we do pretty well. If your single, it should not be a problem at all making ends meat as long as your not in crazy credit card and/or student loan debt. I drive an SUV that I bought used, my car payment is like 354.00 and it will be paid off in 4 months or so! Other than a small student loan debt its mostly cash in the bank. Just common sence and you should have plenty of cash.

PM if you have any specific questions.
 
M

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
If you have significant student loans, it will be "lean" while you are an Ensign. Moreso if you are married to a college student.

When I was an Ensign, O-1 Pay was ~$1800/mo, and BAH/BAS/Flight Pay was about another $1000. Paying $1100 a month in student loans, it was tight.

I think ENS pay has come way up from where it was, and the JG raise is no longer as big of a jump. For me, it damn near tripled my non-essential (rent/food) income.

If you are single, it is not bad, just don't go nuts with flashy cars if you have loans and other debt. Married, it will be tight at times, but still far better than being a junior enlisted sailor.

Now that I am a LT over 6 years, the money is pretty darn good. If only those annoying student loans would go away....
 
zippy

zippy

Freedom!
pilot
Contributor
MasterBates said:
I think ENS pay has come way up from where it was, and the JG raise is no longer as big of a jump.
Click to expand...

As of right now, O-1<2 ---> O-2 w/2 is about an $800/month pay increase... not to mention the BAH jump (probably around another $200).
 
Coldnavy

Coldnavy

CTO1 to IW Officer
Enlisted to Officer pay

Enlisted to Officer pay isn't as high as I'd hoped for.

As it stands now, this will be my jump. (8 Years of service and stationed in Pensacola)

E-6 2685.10
BAH 1153.00
BAS 272.26
Total 4110.10


O1E 3565.50
BAH 1188.00
Total 4745.50

That's an increase of $635.40.

We'll here is to O2E pay...lol
 
M

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
The "O" Pay is good, but it is not as high as a lot of the troops would believe. Then you start factoring in things that "O"s pay (Mess bill, higher prices for tickets to functions) that E's don't.

I have had a few disguntled sailors try to give me the guilt trip for making more $ than them.. I view it as a variation of "Choose Your Rate, Choose Your Fate".

In this day and age, anyone who really wants to go to college can find a means to go. I did. I pay $750 a month for my loans, but I got my degree. I viewed it as an investment. My degree allows me to make more money (be it LT vs HT2, or Truck Mechanic vs Mechanical Engineer). I pay some of that extra money back in student loans. I am still ahead. Good investment, maybe not the best, but I am making more net with than without...
 
zippy

zippy

Freedom!
pilot
Contributor
Coldnavy said:
Enlisted to Officer pay isn't as high as I'd hoped for.

As it stands now, this will be my jump. (8 Years of service and stationed in Pensacola)

E-6 2685.10
BAH 1153.00
BAS 272.26
Total 4110.10


O1E 3565.50
BAH 1188.00
Total 4745.50

That's an increase of $635.40.

We'll here is to O2E pay...lol
Click to expand...

You forgot the BAS for w/ your Officer figures.
 
IRfly

IRfly

Registered User
None
Give us a little more info...Are you married? Do you have any time in service (BDCP, prior service)?

You can go to www.defenselink.mil/militarypay and find a pay calculator there. Unless you've got serious "other expenses," you should find O-1 pay enough to buy most cars.

MasterB, you've got crazy student loans!!! Mine total about $22K and I pay around $100/mo. on them...Are yours around $150K?

Oh, and another thing about O-1 pay...You won't even be getting O-1 pay before no fewer than five organizations will make raids on your paycheck for charitable contributions... Once you get to A-pool, the pay attrition will continue.
 
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