Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 3/12/2005

Question
My friend recently got a visit from a U.S army recruiter and he is now thinkig of enlisting. The main reason he wants to join is for money. The recruiter told him he would be able to help his family out financialy because he would make great money in the Army. I was wondering if given all the benefits is the army pay equivilant to civilian pay?

Answer
Dear Santiago --

Since I do not know your friend's skills, education, or other qualifications, I cannot directly answer your question.

However, in general, if you only have a high school degree, and no extra skills or training, the military is a very well paying job.  You get a place to live and food for free.  If you are married or have dependent children, you get money towards housing for them, and some extra allowances for food for them.  However, the additional allowances do not cover the typical costs of having a family.

You will receive small cost of living raises each year.  Further, you will be rewarded for good performance very quickly with promotions.  With promotions always comes an increase in pay.

Finally, since the Army needs Soldiers now, enlistment bonuses are quite high.  You can receive a lump sum payment once you complete your basic training and advanced  individual training (skills training).  This lump sum can be as much as $10,000, depending on the length of time for which you enlist.  The longer the enlistment period the higher the bonus.  If you do not complete your full enlistment, you will owe the Army a prorated share of the bonus.

Now, if you have a college degree, the Army may not be as lucrative an employer as a civilian firm.  That depends on whether you have college loans, and what part of the country you want to get a job in.  The military will often pay off your college loans for you when you enlist.  But you must negotiate that.  Your starting salary will be the same a someone who only graduated high school, or even just has a GED.  That's a very low salary for a recent college grad.  With a college degree you have a good chance of competing to go to officer candidate school which would allow you to earn a commission.  Serving as a commissioned officer has higher pay, but slower promotions.

Anyone serving is authorized medical and dental care, 30 days of leave (vacation) each year, GI Bill benefits (college money, if you invest $100/month for your first 12 months) and life insurance.

If you want to provide, specifics, I could answer your question based on skills and education, for the part of the country you are in.  Best of luck to you and your friend.