Financial Compensation:
As an all volunteer military we are given compensation for performing our duties. Now, no one gets to
be a billionaire on the pay, but with careful financial planning and smart decision making early in your career,
it can provide for a comfortable life the more you advance.
The pay charts are updated at least annually for both inflation and in attempt to match similar civilian
pay. The charts are available for viewing at www.dfas.mil.
Medical and Dental benefits:
While you are serving as a member of the armed forces, you are covered for medical and dental. While
on active duty you will actually be forced to get regular medical and dental check ups.
You're dependents are also offered a medical and dental package. Ranging from totally free to ones that
cost a little out of pocket, depending on the type of care you would like to receive. For more information visit www.tricare.com and www.UnitedConcordia.com
Discounts:
This is one of the benefits that can not be measured. Many discounts come from partnerships between
military installations and local businesses, small businesses and national or international companies. Discounts on items
ranges from movie tickets, amusement parks, plays, concerts, vacations, travel plans, car purchases, and lots more.
Other discounts come from shopping on base, utilizing the commissary, exchange, gas station and other
base services. The commissary often credits savings of up to ten percent over out in town grocery stores. While shopping at
the commissary you would not pay sales tax, you do incur a 5% surcharge fee, which in turn is cheaper than any sales tax.
The armed forces does a good job of being competitive with it prices. The on-base gas station would monitor civilian gas stations
to ensure they were competitive with their prices. The exchange offers no taxes on purchases by authorized patrons (military/dependent
id card holders), as well as offers low price guarantees.
Time off:
Another advantage of the military is the leave or vacation time you receive. There are few that compare even close to it.
For every month served, the service member earns 2.5 days of leave. In other words every year you will earn 30 days of leave.
Compared to other civilian jobs where u might earn 1 week vacation time after years of working. Civilian workers may only
receive two weeks vacation a year, unless you are a teacher!
Support:
The Navy offers many support services many support services through the Fleet and Family Support Center
(FFSC) located on nearly all Navy bases. Services include counseling, education and support. The FFSC provides many types
of counseling including marriage, family, and separation counseling. Other opportunities offered include job hunting,
expectant parent classes, financial counseling, car buying counseling and deployment education and counseling. They also can
refer you to outside professional services if they are required.
