• Stamets@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 months ago

      It’s not the wage. It’s an enlistment bonus for shipping out to basic within a short time frame of enlisting. Meant to help fill vacancies in the Army.

    • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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      10 months ago

      It is when you are in the military and housing, food, and healthcare are paid for. At that point all you REALLY need the 35K for is to buy a V6 Camaro (or Mustang).

      • mojofrododojo@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        bah, someone hasn’t been on post in the last decade… it’s all about 'dem chargers now. fucking chargers, as far as the eye can see… oh look, there’s one getting repo’d now, to later be resold to some e3 on a ridiculous loan! the majesty of nature!

        • Facebones@reddthat.com
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          9 months ago

          I remember my base tours where they desperately try to accentuate the “for sale” lot your fancy car will inevitably be on in 6 months, unsurprisingly it deterred approx nobody.

    • Artyom@lemm.ee
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      9 months ago

      Well private annual salary is actually $23,011 according to goarmy.com. Idk where the 35k is from, might include a signing bonus or something.

    • ililiililiililiilili@lemm.ee
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      9 months ago

      For the vast majority of those enlisting, I’d say the 35k must go towards a down payment on a 4wd, lifted truck (with balls hanging off the back).

      • YaksDC@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        There are so many predatory car dealers around every American base. All the sign say will finance E1 and up. (E1 is the lowest enlisted rank) They know once they get them to sign if the teenager tries to default they can contact their command and put a lien on their pay.

    • aidan@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      In a lot of places, yes it definitely is. With 2.5k a month I have a lot of money leftover.