ah but you must consider that most military based in the US receive &quot;BAH&quot; which can easily double their total pay, tax free.  For example, an E-5 with a high school diploma in Maryland can get $2k per month tax-free:
<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.defensetravel.dod.mil&#x2F;site&#x2F;bahCalc.cfm" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.defensetravel.dod.mil&#x2F;site&#x2F;bahCalc.cfm</a>