I do not think that 3.5% pay raise is enough to bring the pay up to the level that is even with the outside. There are to damn many military families that are barely scraping by on what they get for giving their all for the US STATES, To many lower enlisted have to use food stamps to ensure that there is food on their tables to feed the family. I don't know about you guys but we as a people do not take care of the ones that take care of us. And that is just plain wrong, we the people need to ensure the goverment does better. They need more than 3.5% in their pay.

I agree Coach. Even the amount O's make compared the enlisted is a large gap; which I think could be altered to an extent.

Do you think that another pay raise would get voted for due to the large bill that we are already footing for the military, and defense. For the record. . .I am for all of this.

Joe, don't get me wrong I am for this pay raise for the troops, I just think it is not nearly enough money for the people that stand the line 24/7. We ask alot of these young people, move every 3 years and uproot your famlies at the same time. No wonder the retension time is so bad and they (military) wonder why they can't keep the best in service.

Yeah, all of this stuff kinda scares me about joining, but I guess thats the "perks" of the job. I am sure they will take as much as they can get though. 3.5% is better than nothing, I guess they can be grateful for that.

The plus is that you do get perks med,dent,and the rest that goes with that but the main thing you get is knowing that you are doing a great job at your chosen profession and the satifaction of doing great things with your life, Understand this sgreen this life is not for everybody and only the chosen few will make it work. Just my .02 cents for what it is worth.