I recently had an article published in the Navy Times (Back Talk) about enlisted pay. The article includes a rather clever graphic of coins being tossed into a navy 'dixie cup' hat with a cardboard sign stating "Will Defend for Food".

My article stirred some strong opinions and I was challenged to blog about it. I accept the challenge and look forward to a discussion.

The premise of my article was a question...Is the current pay for enlisted (and I'm not addressing the officer vs. enlisted pay fray) adequate? Is it the best America can do for their fighting force?

Once you read the article...I want to hear your comments - and yes, I love the debate! Many took issue with my article stating I didn't include all the pays service members get such as BAH, BAS, enlistment bonus, hazardous duty pay and the like. So, I want to own what I could/should have improved and defend/explain the rest.

First, I only have 500-600 words to address a complex topic. I failed to adequately make my point. I own that, I apologize. Let me try to set some things aright just a bit...

It is so difficult to address all the pay 'potentials' of a service member. They vary so greatly. Not all deployments are to tax-free zones, not all rates get a reenlistment bonus and reenistment bonuses vary greatly. Housing is only provided for roughly 30% of the forces so 70% DOES pay their own utilities. I could go on and on...

Many readers felt the WIC example in my article was a disservice and even 'false' as it only mentioned base pay. WIC is a federal program and the guidelines were established at the federal level...including the determination that military WIC eligibility is only based on base pay. That is why I referenced base pay. I didn not intentionally omit additional pays (or benefits) in the WIC discussion. I clearly stated it was BASE PAY which determines eligibility so base pay was listed and discussed. But my question is still valid...if congress decided base pay is the basis, and our base pay is too low...could they just pay junior enlisted enough base pay to be above the threshold?

But, let's look at what is equal across the board. The example in the article of the housing assistance program in San Diego (and other similar programs across the country) includes ALL income sources. So that levels the playing field. With all sources of income (BAH, BAS, FSA, etc.) an E-2 through E-5 is well within the guidelines for assistance depending on years of service and a few other parameters E-6 and E-7 will also qualify.

Since PPV changed housing almost the entire force that resides on base now receives BAH (but immediately paid to the base housing management partner) so all have BAH. So, I'll let you decide if that levels the playing field.

In speaking with the director of the Food Distribution on our base, BAH is not a disqualifyer from the Federal Income Guidelines for food distribution (not food stamps, not WIC). So, E-1 through E-6 qualify and some E-7 will qualify based on number of dependents.

Many wrote saying where else could a person with just a high school education make this much money. Well, do they just have a high school education? Statistics show that our enlisted forces are above their civilian counterparts in educational achievement. Further, the training most of our forces receive (according to smart transcripts) translates into college credit equivalency. So, are they really just high school grads?

Further - aside from the 'high school education' perspective...Military service is like no other 'job'. It involves risk and sacrifice like no other, especially in a time of war.

Let me tell you why this issue came up for me. I host an internet talk show for spouses (www.blogtalkradio.com/nht). I recently did a series on finances in response to rising gas, food and other costs. While preparing for one broadcast I had a conversation with a subject matter expert who said, "For junior enlisted with a family to make it they will need to know all their resources; Food distributions, WIC, Commissary, Thrift Stores, Coupons and the like." This person is both a retired service member and now retired from a military support center.

I was struck...for junior enlisted families to make it they need: "Food distribution, WIC, Thrift Stores, Commissary, Coupons and the like..." As I said in my article, I have long held the opinion that most junior enlisted financial issues are a lack of proper financial management from perhaps a lack of education or mentoring. But, I am struck that a professional from a military support center indicated that there is such little wiggle room in the family budget that thrift stores, commissary, WIC and Food distributions are such a key.

So, back to my question...Isn't it a shame that the families of those defending our nation need coupons, thrift stores, food distribution, etc?

I don't think military should become millionaires, nor do I view the current pay/benefits something akin to 'impoverished, indentured servanthood.

Hopefully I have addressed some of the concerns with my article, but let me get back to my original question. If we can spend $2 million to study the flow rate of catsup and $1 million to study the sex habits of a rodent, can this great nation pay our armed forces a little better than thrift stores, food distribution coupons and the commissary?

I surrender my time to the chair... you have the floor...