I read the same article and take issue with their stats. My question regarding the article is who did they survey, junior enlisted,NCOs or officers. Also, what was the age group? This survey also does not take into account reservists that are called to active duty that stay stateside and do not get the same bonus pay that soldiers that deploy to a combat zone get. One also needs to take into account the fact that expenses increase when a soldier deploys. In my case I was stateside, but had to support 2 households, mine where I was stationed and my perm. home. Many soldiers are having to pay for their own gear in Iraq, because the military has fallen behind on providing safe secure body armor.
ssgbif - I would truely like to know what rank and what it is your friend is doing in DC to make 12,000 a month. The only people in the military that make that kind of money are generals.