this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2024
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Idk man, friend of mine works as a mechanic for the airforce and makes ~78k/yr, gets a large housing bonus, and has access to military loans that have really good terms, comparatively.
Ignoring the whole military lifestyle bs that he has to go through, it's not that bad for someone who really doesn't know what to do with themselves.
The US army uses basic socialist policies (we will help you if you're dying from cancer etc) to recruit. It only works because the US state refuses to take care of its subjects. The moment people are no longer desperate, the recruitment numbers will fall.
Except if you get cancer while in they medically discharge you and leave you with nothing. “Go file with the VA!”
I was in for ten years and saw it happen multiple times.
I heard people got respiratory cancers specifically from being in the military and having been instructed to burn piles of trash without proper safety equipment.
And then they got discharged, fucked over sideways by the VA, and died. Welp.
The VA has to process the claim, and in the meantime you get no medical treatment for anything.
Let’s use the cancer. You are in, a fine soldier, and get diagnosed with cancer. Not only do you now lose your job, but you lose your entire life and support system. You instantly lose your house, medical coverage, and source of income. All of it is gone immediately along with any plans for retirement.
You now go home, your wife has also left you because you are now a shitbum with cancer, and owe $2000/mo in child support based on military income and you have no means to pay it. You file with the VA to get your cancer taken care of and are told it may be 12-36 months before it’s processed.
You get a minimum wage job since civilian employers don’t care about military experience. Most of your check is garnished for child support but still isn’t enough so you lose your driver’s license. You cannot pay rent so apply for homeless veteran housing which has a ten year waitlist. So you are now homeless and working, slowly dying of cancer on the sidewalk. You try to get help at a hospital, but since you are a veteran they say “VA has got you”.
There you lay, rotting from the inside, wondering how it all went wrong when only two months ago you were counseling soldiers on why they shouldn’t buy cars at 29% interest and to make better life choices. Yes, this exact scenario plays out all the goddamn time.
No kidding, wish we would just develop these policies for everyone, not just military service.
It's not terrible, but the housing allowance is because they force you to move wherever they want. And that salary is within the normal range:
https://www.salary.com/research/salary/listing/aircraft-mechanic-salary
You are looking at the "pros" without really seeing the "cons".
He doesn't work on aircraft. He works on other vehicles needed on base. Much of his income isn't taxable, so he effectively brings home more than average. Not to mention Healthcare is paid for, even if it's not that great.
The "having to live wherever they want" part is a non issue for some people anyway. Though I agree I would see that as a significant con.
I just looked at the enlisted pay table charts. Unless he lives somewhere with high COLA payments and has kids, he probably isn’t making 78k/yr.
If there is one thing we love in the military, it’s telling big fish stories.