Do You Get Paid During Basic Training?

If you’re considering a career in military service, you’ve probably heard of basic training. Basic training is a fundamental component of military service, and provides recruits with the necessary skills and discipline to succeed in their military careers.

While the physical and mental demands of basic training are no secret, new recruits often wonder whether they’ll be paid during this time.

In this article, I’ll explore the financial aspect of basic training, and answer the all-important question…do you get paid?

What is basic training?

Basic training, also known as boot camp, is an initial period of rigorous military training all enlisted personnel undergo to prepare for their military careers. It serves as the foundation for a recruit’s military service and instills essential skills, discipline, and teamwork.

During boot camp, recruits experience a highly structured and intense environment designed to challenge them physically, mentally, and emotionally. The duration of basic training varies depending on branch of service, but usually lasts anywhere from 8 to 13 weeks.

The primary objectives of basic training are to:

1. Develop Physical Fitness: Recruits undergo physical conditioning which focuses on building strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
2. Teach Military Skills: Recruits are taught basic military skills, including marksmanship, land navigation, first aid, and combat tactics.
3. Foster Discipline and Leadership: Basic training instills discipline, respect for authority, and adherence to military regulations and protocols. Recruits learn to follow orders, develop a strong work ethic, and understand the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
4. Cultivate Mental Resilience: Recruits are subjected to mental stressors and challenging situations to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
5. Adapt to Military Life: Basic training familiarizes recruits with military culture, customs, and traditions. They learn about rank, military courtesies, and expectations and responsibilities of being a service member.

Are recruits paid during basic training?

A question commonly asked by military recruits is whether they’ll be paid during basic training. The short answer is yes, but the amount varies based on several factors, including branch of service, rank, and time in service. Which, for recruits, is essentially nil.

All branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, pay recruits during basic training. It’s known as basic pay, and is calculated based on the recruit’s rank and time in service. Generally speaking, the higher the rank and length of service, the greater the pay.

As a new recruit, individuals are usually paid at the rank of Private E-1 or E-2 which reflects an entry-level status. However, as recruits progress through their military career and gain experience, pay increases accordingly.

Basic pay for an enlisted recruit at the lowest rank (E-1) is approximately $1,900 per month ($23,000 per year). While pay for an E-2 recruit is approximately $2,150 per month ($25,790 per year). This amount can vary slightly based on the branch of service.

It’s important to note, these figures are for enlisted soldiers, not military officers. Click here for more information on officer pay.

What’s the difference between soldiers and officers?

The main difference between an enlisted soldier and a military officer lies in their roles, responsibilities, and levels of authority within the military hierarchy. Here are some key distinctions:

1. Rank Structure: The military operates on a hierarchical rank structure. Enlisted soldiers hold ranks from E-1 (Private) to E-9 (Sergeant Major/Command Sergeant Major), while officers hold ranks from O-1 (Second Lieutenant) to the highest ranks of O-10 (General/Admiral). Officers generally hold positions of leadership and authority, while enlisted soldiers perform various operational and support roles.
2. Leadership and Decision-Making: Officers are responsible for leading and managing personnel and resources. They make decisions that impact unit operations, strategy, and mission execution. Enlisted soldiers, on the other hand, carry out the orders and instructions of officers.
3. Education and Training: Officers typically undergo more extensive education and training than enlisted soldiers. They’re required to have a college degree, obtained through programs such as Officer Candidate School (OCS), Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), or attendance at a service academy. Enlisted soldiers may have varying levels of education and training, depending on their military occupational specialty (MOS).
4. Career Progression: Career progression for officers and enlisted soldiers differs. Officers can rise through the ranks of their commissioned officer roles, from lower ranks like Second Lieutenant (O-1) to higher ranks such as Colonel (O-6) or General (O-10). Enlisted soldiers can progress within their enlisted ranks, potentially attaining higher ranks such as Sergeant Major (E-9), but they do not hold commissioned officer ranks.

It’s important to note that both enlisted soldiers and officers play critical roles in the military. The relationship between officers and enlisted personnel is built on mutual respect, trust, and teamwork, as they work together to achieve mission objectives.

Can a solider become an officer?

Yes, an enlisted soldier in the U.S. military can become an officer through various commissioning programs. These programs provide enlisted service members with the opportunity to earn a commission and assume a leadership role as an officer.

Here are a few common paths:

1. Officer Candidate School (OCS): Officer Candidate School is a program that allows enlisted soldiers to apply for a commission. It provides rigorous training and education to prepare candidates for the responsibilities and duties of an officer. Upon successful completion of OCS, candidates are commissioned as officers.
2. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC): ROTC is a college-based program that offers scholarships to enlisted soldiers who want to become officers. Soldiers can apply for ROTC scholarships while serving on active duty and, if selected, receive funding to pursue a college degree while participating in the ROTC program. Upon graduation and completion of the ROTC requirements, they are commissioned as officers.
3. Service Academy: Enlisted soldiers can also attend one of the U.S. service academies, such as the United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Coast Guard Academy. These academies provide a comprehensive education and military training. Upon graduation, cadets are commissioned as officers.

Each military branch has its own specific programs, selection processes, and prerequisites for officers. Also, availability of commissioning programs and opportunities for enlisted soldiers to become officers is based on the needs of the military.

Bottom Line

Yes, enlisted recruits do get paid during basic training. While something is better than nothing, you’re definitely not going to get rich in a career as a soldier. Fortunately, the US military offers numerous paths for enlisted soldiers to become officers. Typically, these paths require more education and training, but officers can expect to earn a higher salary as a result.

If you’re considering a career in the military, be sure to speak with a military recruiter to obtain more information on pay, benefits, and additional career opportunities.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out a few of these as well.