Salary and Benefits

The salary for a newly commissioned officer in the Army starts at $60,000 not including the many benefits that are given to service members. Currently an officer can expect to receive pay raises every two years and can make over $85,000, not including benefits, within four years.

Each soldier and officer in the Army receives free medical and dental insurance and is allowed thirty days of paid vacation each year. In addition, each soldier and officer receives a separate, tax-free Basic Allowance for Subsistance (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). These allowances differ depending on duty station location.