What are you leaving on the table?
A guided estimate from what you told us — not a read of your actual LES, and not individualized advice. Confirm anything flagged with your finance office. Figures current for 2026; BAH is location-specific (use the DoD tool above).
No drip spam — just real military-money stuff when we publish it, from a Marine vet who made enlisted pay stretch.
Common questions
What counts as military total compensation?
Your true pay is base pay plus tax-free allowances — BAH (housing) and BAS (food, $476.95/mo for enlisted in 2026) — plus the value of those allowances being untaxed. Because BAH and BAS are federal-income-tax-free (26 U.S.C. §134), a civilian job would need to pay noticeably more in salary to match your take-home.
What military pay do people most often miss?
The biggest recurring miss is the TSP match: under the Blended Retirement System, DoD matches up to 5% of your base pay — but only if you contribute at least 5% yourself. Others: Family Separation Allowance ($300/mo, raised in the FY2026 NDAA), the Savings Deposit Program (guaranteed 10% on up to $10,000 while deployed), and special/incentive pays tied to your billet or qualifications.
Is this tool auditing my actual LES?
No — it's a guided self-check. Based on your answers it surfaces pay and benefits you may be eligible for so you can confirm them against your LES and with your finance office. It doesn't read your paystub.