I think for the job that they do enlisted soldiers deserve more pay.

I would like to start my argument off by saying as an enlisted Soldier myself I think you have good intentions with your argument. //You say that you will not debate,"that they signed up for it , so that is the pay they deserve". I think you should reconsider because nobody should start a career whether it be in the military or as a civilian without seeing if they can cover their current debts with the salary they will receive.// I am not debating this because as I have said I am not debating on whether a soldier cares that they are paid enough . my husband would get paid pennies to fight for our country. Remember the families go through alot at home and the family doesn't always agree that they can get by on what the military pays , however the soldier may feel otherwise or just want to be a soldier so much that they do not care. //Another point I would like to make is that the military receives many benefits that are never seen in the civilian sector. I receive medical and dental for my dependents and myself at a very cheap insurance rate. I also receive 30 days paid vacation a year, and 10 paid holidays a year. I am able to debate you now because I am on a 4 day weekendristmas and I will receive another 4 day weekend for New Year's. I also have my PX and Commissary privileges where I can receive goods without being taxed. I am also able to receive thousands in free college EVERY year! The list of benefits are long and could fill up my entire argument. If you care to look at a few here is the link: http://www.militarybenefits.com......// I am a military wife , I do know what the benefits are. My husband had much better insurance with his civilian job than he does with Tricare . I have to pay $16 towards my daughters last doctors appointment as opposed to his civilian coverage where I paid $5 a visit. Not all military can get tricare prime as some do not live in a state where there are many military facilities. In order to get Tricare Prime , I would have had to drive about 45 mins from my house to take my 4 year old to the doctor. As for holidays the majority of holidays are also paid by civilian jobs as well and most people at their civilian jobs get 2 weeks vacation , but earn more time as they work there. As for that many days , I do not think 30 days paid vacation is that much when you may not see your family for 1 year or 24 months even. //Most military jobs either pay more or close to their civilian counterpart Granted the military version can be dangerous, I believe we receive ample pay for our job. When in a hostile enviroment you receive upwards of over a thousand dollars extra each month, plus it is tax free. In my experience in the military the only people that I have seen that have had debt problems are people that do not know how to properly manage their money. No one should serve their goverment with the intentions on being rich. In 2004, the average enlisted military employee earned $42,664.48 annually while the average full-time, year-round civilian employee earned only $36,284.// My husband had a job in a union making great money and the army doesnt even begin to cover a portion of that. Again a civilian job , also has the benefits of being able to be a stable family unit at all times. A soldier and his (or her ) family give up quite alot of time together. Also , Maybe you know soldiers that recieve over $1000 dollars extra a month while in a hostile environment, but I can tell you as my husband is there right now he is not recieveing anywhere close to an extra $1000 or more a month. He receives hostile fire sporadically. which is about $220 and then he receives $125 family separation ... that in no way amounts to close to the amount of $1000 . Taxes are not taken out , absolutely BS .. They take out federal and state taxes every check .. Randomly we get a check back for $100 or so... which doesn't equal at all what they take out. Also remember cost of living is dramatically different state to state .Also some soldiers may have 5 kids , some may have 3, some none. I know many military families that scrimp and save and are having financial problems. Also some military families can not live on a base to help them out because there are no bases near them. //I think JFK said it best,"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."// My husband doesnt ask what his country can do for him , I am just saying that I think soldiers DESERVE more money for the job that they do. Thank you for your service , you may not think you deserve more pay, my husband doesn't , but I do. I think the sacrafices that the men and women in the service make. are amazing and more than any person in any other job makes.