Hello Nico,
Your friend i wrong. He doesnt know what he is talking about.
First off, lets stop talking about "contracts." When you ENLIST into the Air Force you enlist for 4 years. That i the term of the enlistment. Ye, it i a technical contract. No one read it later. You just KNOW what you have to do - take order and do what others above you tell you to do. THATs your "contract."
Now, everyone enters as an Airman Basic the lowest enlisted rank. Promotion to Airman comes automatic at the 6 months point. Promotion to Airman First Class comes automatic at the 16 month point. Promotion to Senior Airman comes automatic at the 36 month point. All "IF" you are worthy and your commander recommends you.
You dont worry about pay. You will never get rich. If you dont spend your money - it will be enough to not be poor. Do NOT buy a new car. You will not be able to afford it or the full coverage car insurance it requires.
You can consider part of your pay the thing you get that you dont get in cash.
Free food, 3 meals a day. How much would you have to earn to pay for 1,095 meals a year? At $10 a meal that would come to: $10,950 a year and that would be taxable. Free meal are not taxable.
Free room and no utilities to pay? If you had to rent a room at $400 a month all included it would cost you another $4,000 a year and you would have to pay taxes on it.
So, in effect you are getting $15,000 worth of living - no tax - for free!
AND, you dont pay for medical care or dental care, Add that to your tax fee benefits. So, really, you are living like you would "if" you earned about $30,000 a year.
It i how much you keep rather than how much you earn.
Forget about pay. One joins the military to BE IN the military and to SERVE. No one joins for the pay.
Best wishe,
Larry Smith Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.) First Sergeant
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