Military Housing Is Not FREE.

I was recently told by an "internet military expert" how military families have it so wonderful. That we don't have to worry about trivial things such as housing, utilities and general safety because we have it provided for us. How all we have to do, is send our spouses into a recruiters office and its easy street for the rest of our lives.
Now those of us reading this, who are living the military lifestyle, are most likely either rolling their eyes or laughing right now.
Yes, we are provided housing or a Basic Housing Allowance.

But, lets break this down.
According to the Military Pay Chart a Pvt, will earn $1447 a month. Given the hours of a typical work schedule, or $723 every 2 wks.
A soldier does not work a 8,10 or 12 hour work day. Several days a week it is a 24 hr shift (during non-war time) which makes their pay as low as 8.00/hr.
Now assume this same soldier has a family. So he must have a home.
Assume rent is on the conservative side of $800/month. Utilities maybe $150 (assuming no cell phone and they work very hard at energy conservation. He must have a car to go back and forth to work immediately as he is always on call. So lets say a conservative $400/month for car payment. Lets add in insurance, car-$100/month, renters $30/ month (assuming he has a good driving record)
Lets say he has the perfect nuclear family. A wife and 2 kids. They must eat.
Lets assume, they ration their meals. We'll say $500/ month for groceries.
We'll add another $100/month gas, incidentals. Then lets not forget all military needs. Uniforms, patches, boots, functions etc..so we'll add a min $50/month.
So we started at $1447, we are now at a NEGATIVE 683 DOLLARS.

Here you have a soldier, who works 24 hrs a day and nets a -683. Sounds like a good trade for your freedom, right?

Now, take away the housing expenses, which will be covered under BAH. BAH varies from area to area. Where I am BAH for a PVT is $864. Which still does not cover the cost of living. Assuming rent, utilities, insurance, groceries are as previously stipulated that is $1480. Which means that private WITH housing allotment is netting a whopping NEGATIVE 33 dollars.


Now lets assume instead of the BAH option, this soldier decides to live in military housing. After waiting 1-12 months for a home he is granted one. He has 2 children, so he will (depending on the sex/age of children and post) only be alloted a 2 bedroom home. Typically an apartment style. Some of these homes the interior cannot be painted, or anything hung on walls. We grow accustomed to the traditional Army Housing White.
If something breaks, leaks or quits working, we may wait on a list for weeks before it can be repaired. This includes some safety issues, such as broken locks.
The majority of Army Housing predates WW2, so you can imagine how drafty they can be. Which increases our utilities, which we are now accountable for.

So even living in military housing that same PVT ends up netting a NEGATIVE amount.

So I would like for one of these "military experts" to tell me, how making approx. $8.00/ hr, to possibly give your life does not warrant a little help in the housing area?

These men/women work for meager wages, live in unacceptable conditions and fight so others don't have to.

You don't have to like our military, but the least you can do is respect what they do for you.