THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407140031
SECTION: HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: MARRIED TO THE NAVY
SOURCE: BY MARY MAHONEY, SPECIAL TO HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
MILITARY PAY. Enlisted military pay! Some define this as the lack of money the government is willing to pay to the men and woman of our Armed Forces who are willing to sacrifice their lives for their country. Certainly they are worth more.
Bill and I began our married life when he was an E3/Seaman. His W2 that year was $5,000. Thinking back, we wonder how we ever survived those days.
We began with just each other. We had no furniture, no household items. We had an empty apartment for many months and a couple of kitchen utensils that a neighbor loaned us. We had no car. We saved every dime we had to buy furniture and a used car.
The key to survival is simple. Don't spend more than is being earned. I learned this through the course of life's experiences.
Many blame Uncle Sam for their bad credit and indebtedness. This is absurd. The cable bill, the Master Card, health club membership fees and dinner out are not necessary living expenses.
I agree that it will take much more than a 2.6 percent cost of living increase to help military members keep up with the current cost of living.
I would like for my sailor's wages to be equal to what his civilian counterparts are earning. However, Bill knew when he entered the Navy that it did not offer high earning potential. Instead it offers a guaranteed paycheck twice a month.
There are many types of pay in the Navy. There is the shore-duty paycheck and my favorite, the larger sea-duty paycheck. Annually, included in my sailor's pay, is a uniform allowance.
The least favorite of all his paychecks is, of course, the ``you were overpaid'' paycheck. Currently, the military gives ample notice of intended payback and handles it over the course of several months. This helps families to prepare for the temporary loss of money and allows for easy payments.
One thing is certain, the Navy has always provided for my family. The money Bill earns has kept a roof over our heads, food in my cupboards and clothes on our backs for almost 17 years. For this, I am thankful.
I have struggled through many a pay period, trying to make the money last. I have seen the savings depleted due to an emergency. I have done my share of moaning and complaining about my sailor not being paid what he is worth.
Through the years I have watched my sailor's pay grow. As his years in the service progressed, the check has increased. Advancement in rank has also added dollars to his pay. With these increases over the years also comes a change in lifestyle.
My way of thinking about the amount of his pay has also changed. When I watch the news and read the papers about poverty and hunger, I am reminded of what I have. The pay my sailor receives may not be equal to many, but it is better than some.
There are no Christmas bonuses with a military paycheck; there are no surprise raises. What there is however, and what is most important to me, is the guarantee that his paycheck will always be their twice a month throughout the duration of his Navy career. MEMO: Mary Mahoney writes a monthly column about military life. by CNB