MILITARY PAY & ENTITLEMENTS
The Military always has a way of complicating the smallest of things. Your spouses' pay is no different. If you are new to the Military life then you probably feel confused and overwhelmed with all the different types of pay and entitlements. So lets make this easier and break it down. Within this section you will find charts for each different kind of pay (or a link to the official calculator).
The basic married service member typically receives on a monthly basis the following; base pay, BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), and BAS (Basic Allowance for Substance).
When a service member gets married it is true that their BAH goes up. However, the biggest myth that still circles around is that with each new addition the family (such as a child being born) that the BAH will rise again OR that they are paid for each child they have. THIS IS NOT TRUE! Your BAH only goes up once and this is when a service member gains a dependant (by either getting married or having a child).
Below you will find the different pay and entitlements that a service member could receive. Next to each is a brief description and who is entitled to that pay. Click each entitlements link for a more in depth view.
BASE PAY CHARTS - Every service member will receive base pay.
BAH RATES - Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It is payable when government quarters are not provided. A uniformed service member stationed overseas, including U.S. protectorates, who is not furnished government housing, is eligible for Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).
BAS RATES - Basic Allowance for Substance (BAS) is meant to offset costs for a service member's meals. All enlisted service members receive full BAS as of January 1, 2002.
CLOTHING ALLOWANCES - Given to offset the cost of uniforms.
DLA - Dislocation Allowance is paid during a PCS.
FAMILY SEP - Family Separation Pay. Paid during a deployment or other separation lasting more than 30 days.
MILEAGE RATES- Rates given for those who drive a POV for a TDY or PCS.
PCS PER DIEM- Given to offset the cost of food and lodging while traveling to a new duty station.
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