it is a sad fact of life, that in the army (again I dont know about other branches; bluebear could you help me out with the marines?) a singel soldier does not have the same rights and freedoms that a married soldier does. For example, if an extra duty comes up (say weapons watch) the single soldiers in the barracks have to pull this duty, not the married soldeirs. This is true for most "extra' duites that arise, like grass cutting, post/base clean up, snow removal.
Also, the single soldier in the barracks is required to go through an inspection of their quarters (wiht lockers and dresser drawers open) whenever the chain of command wants to (with a 24 hour notice). Married soldiers do not have to go through this procedure, unless there is just cause (like someone calling in complaining of a stench).

I personally believe, it hsould not matter if you are in the barracks or not, duties should be divided up evenly amongst ALL soldiers. What do you think?

Oh and inspections? Hell no, unless you inspect everybody.

Very true, damn single guys getting the shaft

Of course I was always picking the joes that were on guard and didnt pull it

i agree 100% had the same problem at fort bragg

Most Army bases (again I dont know about the other branches) are discriminatory between the married and the single soldiers... Most barracks, a soldier is not allowed a hotplace because it is considered a fir hazard, yet thet can have a coffee pot which has a hotplate on it. Talk about yuor basic contradictions.

I live in the barracks, its not so bad, yeah I get my occasional room inspection, but you gotta keep in mind that the military needs to preserve their facilities. My only complaint is that I'm forced to eat at the chow hall, instead of getting food allowance like married military. Oh yeah the extra pay they get would be nice too, its not uncommon for military to get married to someone they barely know, so that they can get paid an extra $1500+ a month, and then give their "partner" a cut of the money, not to mention they get all the medical, dental, and just about every benefit the military offers. Tax money well spent?

If the military housing people got inspected as well, then I would agree with you about keeping up military property. But you can use that line of defense for inspecting barracks, and then ignore it for the married personnel.

As far as an extra 1500 per month, That dont sound wquite right. When I was in, you got an average (based on location) of 500 a month extra for BHA (Basic Housing Allowance) ONLY if you lived off post. If you lived on post you did nto receive that. You did receive something like 400 dollars (again varies with location due to local costs) extra as a food allowance. And that was it as far as extra money goes.
So in general, you received an additional 900 dollars a month if you lived off base as a married couple.

Also, keep in mind that when you are talking a civilian spouse? That housing allowance (wether it is cash or housing) and that food allowance? actually belongs to the spouse. If you seperate from your spouse, the military WILL deduct those items fromy our check and forward it to your spouse until the day of hte divorce.

How long ago were you in? Here at Whidbey Island Washington, BAH is about $780-900 for like E-5... and Food Allowance is about $350-450, get married to someone over 50 miles away, or when deployed, you qualify for Separation pay..another $300.

So it comes out to about $1430-1650, which is why I estimated about $1500. I've seen many of my friend's Leave and Earnings Statements, its no joke that they're banking off getting "Contract Married".

If you live in post, you get no extra money. Your BAH goes directly into your housing payment or whatever. Only way you make money is if you move off of post

My pay is $1800, I'm an officer, Housing $880 and food $400, I have 2 children..I'm going to FT. Hood and the housing is a 18month wait so I have chosen to live off post..my boyfriend is now just getting his cost of living and he lives in the barracks and plans to move out when I get home in 8 months....
He is infantry so I hope he does not get deployed again....
Beats the $6 an hour job I had before I enlisted....