|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Military.com Forums Coast Guard Discussions Pay, Investing and Retirement Planning SEA PAY INCREASE...........????|
Go
|
New
|
Find
|
Notify
|
Tools
|
Reply
|
|
Experienced Member |
I had so damn much fun going to sea I figured I should pay the CG.
|
|||
|
Basic Training |
CDR Flynn,
Maybe supplement was not the right word to use. What I was referring to was the CHA areas such as where the CGC PELICAN is located in Abbeville, LA. The married members stationed there get more than the regular BAH w/dep rate shows for the zip code, but single members only receive the regular without dep rate. When I was the XPO there, I had to send a message every time a new member with dependents reported, requesting they receive the CHA rate. My question has always been why are only the members with dependents eligible for the CHA rate and single members ineligible when they are both assigned to the same duty station and forced to find housing in the same area? R/ BMC |
|||
|
|
Member |
Really? Learn something everyday. I will chat with the housing folks tomorrow so I understand this better.
Like I said before BAH should be BAH married single / kids no kids shouldn't manner. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I don't think it should be the same across the board. Agree to disagree.
If it were to be, then those with kids would be living in ghettos,garages or in shelters like in NY. I think that place needs help. If the cost of living keeps increasing, so should pay. 'nuff said. I don't care where they include the much needed increase...they just need to do it. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
I like being at an underway unit. The fact that in a couple more years I will be banking over $500 for sea pay makes it just that much better. I am currently working on my 4th year and collecting the sea pay premium. I say as long as the detailers allow me to stay underway, I will.
|
|||
|
|
Member |
Hey CajunBm
I found out the following. Basically if you are in a CHA you can locate your dependants and get the allowances for the local area, or send them to a designated place or leave them behind in the vicinity of the previous duty station. So if they are in the local area they get the local rate. There is no extra beyond the married or single rate. a. Members with dependents who execute a permanent change of station (PCS) to a permanent duty station (PDS) designated as a CHA may elect to either: (1) Relocate their dependents to another civilian housing location and effective upon their PCS reporting date, request to Commandant (G-WPM-2) to receive BAH and if applicable, CONUS COLA based on their new dependents’ locations, or; (2) If the dependent will continue to reside in the vicinity of the member’s previous PDS and will not relocate incident to their sponsor’s PCS, request upon their PCS reporting date, to receive the BAH rate applicable to their previous PDS. By law, CONUS COLA may only be paid at the rate for the dependents location or new PDS. CONUS COLA cannot be authorized for a previous PDS location. |
|||
|
|
Member |
|
|||
|
Basic Training |
I think you guys complaining about single BAH are hilarious. You should feel lucky you even get it. Look at all the other branches, Marines, Navy, Army, Airforce, if you are single, you're not getting BAH to find a great spot out in town....your butt is in the barracks. You get to make sure your room is cleaned daily, weekly field days in the barracks (those are tremendous fun) with inspections. In most cases, no booze in your room unless you are an E-5 or E-6, and then it's only like 1 6-pack per occupant. No guests after a certain time (and that's dependant on your rank too). Absolutley no one of the opposite sex allowed in your room with the door closed. So enjoy whatever the Coast guard allows you to have and get over it.
And I definately don't agree with BAH being the same (married vs single or kids vs no kids) depending on your kids at certain age and sex they can't be in the same room, so you have to find a larger place. A single person only needs a place for themselves. This message has been edited. Last edited by: DrifterCoastie, |
|||
|
Basic Training |
Man, you made remember my younger years. That’s exactly how it was when I first reported to Fort Stewart. I agree with you that most coasties have no idea how good they have it. For other services except the navy a deployment meant no showers, praying to God you found a good tent partner (Army only gave HALF a tent) and good old rations (A, T and MRE's). Most CG Deployments involved being on a cutter getting hot showers, 3 square meals a day, Movies, Ports calls to different countries, need I go on? Anyways just wanted to agree 100 % with your statement. Prior ground pounder sends. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
There is only one problem with your statement....we are not in another branch of the service, we are in the Coast Guard. There are also a number of folks in congress that see this problem also. The only issue here is that a member with dependents should not make more than a member without..bottom line.
|
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Drifter, so you saying that all single members E1 thru O's in the other branches live in barrack???
Why would anyone think that it is fair to treat single member as lessor people. BAH should be equal, if you married then you have 2 people to work and pay bills, plus you get a big tax break that single members dont get. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Drifter,
First of all, I am going to TRY to keep my comments nice, but it is very hard. Are you telling me that as a single E-7, I should be glad that I am not forced to reside in the barracks? I think you had better go and check yourself lad! Second, how long have you been in the CG? Your profile shows about 2-3 years of service. If you haven't figured it out yet, this is not the other branches, it is the COAST GUARD! I don't care what the other branches do or don't do, so don't bring that mess in here. We don't conduct business the same way they do. Third, you need to realize that you never know who you are talking to in these threads. Don't go on here assuming that all single members are junior enlisted and deserve to reside in the barracks. I am not going to sit here and listen to you tell me that I had better be glad my butt is not stuck in the barracks. Who are you to tell me or anyone else that? BMC |
|||
|
Experienced Member |
Thank you Sir, may I have another!!! Totally agree! I have been an advocate for EQUAL BAH, COLA and allowances regardless of marital/dependent status. Why folks in the military are rewarded for family status is beyond me (ie. BAH, with dependent this and with dependent that...). I totally agree with the poster who brought up the tax advantages of having dependents. You would never see this in the civilian sector; you get paid based on merit. If ya can't afford 'em, don't have 'em! Of course, this begins in Congress as their ploy for recruitment. And yes, I'm married to a Coastie  but I also was a single Coastie as well so I've BTDT on both sides.Our 24 year old son is a single E-4 in the Army. New Privates (E-1, E-2 and E-3) who are married sit fat and happy in their private little abode drinking and eating whatever because they are 'entitled' while he is only afforded a mess hall and a 12x12 barracks room to share with 2 other Soldiers. Of the likes of him, Singles are not afforded BAH until they reach E-5 (and that's even a 'maybe'). Why the disparity in pay and benefits? Sea Pay increase? WHY? I've not read of any good reason yet. Going to sea earns more benefits than just pay (ie. advancement points, priority status, travel opportunities, etc.) and you want more?? And ya still ain't happy with that???? On another note, it still alludes me why certain areas get COLA and others do not; predominently those near large military installations that 'do' get it (ie. San Diego, Boston, etc.) While the general cost of living my be a tad bit higher, those close to military installations have access to commissaries, movie theaters, MWR events and equipment, haircuts, etc. |
|||
|
Member |
The reason for this, along with the others you have quoted is because of retention of married personnel. You want a all single member service? If it wasn't for the few benefits a married person gets, that's what you would have. Trust me, the benefits of single verse married are very little. It's not a difference of married verse single. I had more money in my pocket as a single memmber. |
|||
|
|
Member |
I think the question with BAH should be more along the lines of this. Why do single members "NEED" the BAH at dependant rate? As a comparison, as an E-6 w/dependants in the Norfolk, VA area, I get exactly $67.00 more a week in BAH because I have 3 additional heads to cover. And that $67.00 is not even mine, it belongs to my wife and daughter's.
So basically, my wife and kids are paid $67.00 a week for their very own existance as a military family. Seems miniscule to me when you consider, as a military family, they unlike families of a civialian, may be forced to be without their father or husband for extremely extended amounts of time. So, for all of the work my wife my need to accomplish on her own (run a household, raise 2 girls, manage my existance outside of the CG, Etc.), she is paid $67.00 a week. Well thank you Uncle Sam, the $67.00 a week truely helps and I am greatly appreciative that for all that my wife and girls have to deal with, that you have given my family a little something extra to make ends meet. I know that my wife and girls were not issued in my sea bag. And I also know that i did'nt see a form when I enlisted that said i could not pro-create until after I'm out of the service or retired. Could you see it now?? Well, the CG would have only gotten 4 years out of me, vice the 20 I've decided to do now. And even if I did do 20 years, could you see me at 42 trying to find a wife who also wanted to have kids? Wow...... now thats an image. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is. My wife gets paid $67.00 a week (among other benefits like medical) to work as hard as she does to be a military spouse. For my single colleagues, I hope that Uncle Sam will decide to start paying you guys at the BAH w/dep rate. Cause I know when i was a single guy in the military, I could have definately used the extra cash for a number of things. Savings accounts, extended nights out on the town, trips to vegas, 3 cases of beer vice one, just "The Good Life" ya know. You know, we would still need to call it 2 different things, one will be BAH with dependants and the other would be BAH looking for dependants. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
 Well said Commschek. I agree with you. Those of you who think married people w/ dependents should make the same amt of money are just off your rocker. For DMC-C'mon don't bring civilian merits into this discussion. That is apples/organges. People will always want equality. It is really strange. Haven't you heard of the saying "life isn't fair?" Here, lets do this. Lets make the cost of living for a single person the same amt of money that the cost of living for those w/ dependents. That is equal right? You want equal pay? Well, I want equal cost of living.  |
|||
|
|
Member |
I want equal pay and equal entitlements.
Married, with 6 kids married with a working spouse the BAH is the same. Single members are cheaper for the service, we don't have all that cost for medical care that comes with dependants, the increase in the amount of household goods we move etc etc BAH should be the same, my single E-6 should get the same amount for housing that the Married E-6 with the working wife and no kids gets. How many children you choose to have is up to you it should not be a factor as to what neighborhood you can afford to live in. |
|||
|
|
Member |
I have to agree with FlynnPatrick.. Equal work equal pay grade sounds like equal pay sounds right and fair to me. Think about this. The ones who get FSA and higher BAH pay are the ones who actually are at work less. Think of all the trips to the Dr. the married guy has to make missing time at work. Think about the guy who says I can't work late b/c my wife needs me home or I need time off b/c my kids are getting off from school early. Leaving the single guy to work after hours and on weekends. Of course this doesn't apply to all but come on we have all heard these excuses before. Does this sound fair? I don't think so. |
|||
|
|
Experienced Member |
I have to disagree with 'thats all my wife and daughters get'; frankly, they shouldn't get anything considering they're not employees of the federal government and neither should an employee of the federal government be paid any more based on marital/dependent status (I think we've beat that horse to death a couple years ago?). A member with dependents is not working any harder than a single member of the same suit however, they get paid more. Married and with dependent taxpayers get tax advantages that a single taxpayer does not get. (Gee, guess you'll be reaping that check you'll be getting in the mail soon!!) You also have the availability of a second income (whether you use it or not is up to your situation) to enable you a better lifestyle (ie. home buying, etc.). Oh, lets not forget the fact that when a member with dependents gets deployed, the member's belongings are for the most part 'safe and sound' with their spouses (ok, trustworthy ones LOL). Single members get their belongings packed away to God knows where and/or have to store them or pay storage fees if sent home. This message has been edited. Last edited by: SearchNRescue, |
|||
|
|
Member |
Ok, lets start with your first comment. Where in my statement did i say "That's all that my wife and daughters get". If you're going to quote me, then be accurate. In fact i do believe i said
Secondly, on your quote about they should'nt get anything, it's called an "Entitlement". Maybe you have heard that term used before. It's used to recruit and retain personnel. Here, let me help you out and show you the actual definition as per websters:
Third, about the Tax Benefits. You're right, i get a break from the IRS for my kids, along with about 150 million people, give or take a few million. But wait, why? Maybe because, I am supporting 3 other human beings. Me, by myself, the wife does not draw a salary, mostly in part to the fact that daycare costs about $1000 a month for both my kids. Why does'nt a single person get the same tax benefit? Well, that's simple, it's cheaper for you to survive, by yourself. If it's not, then that's your fault. And finally, the PGR is supposed to support the military, not come on to an internet forum and protest military "Entitlements". Did you need the definition again? P.S Storage fees are far cheaper than a mortgage or rental home for a family. I honestly don't see what the gripe is. To single service members: Stop living beyond your means or get married. What else is there to say? |
|||
|
| Previous Topic | Next Topic | powered by eve community | Page 1 2 3 4 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
