You've probably heard the rumors or seen the frantic headlines every time Congress starts bickering over a budget. It’s a valid question: are military members getting paid, or are they out there doing the world’s most dangerous job for free?
Honestly, the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no, especially in the wake of the wild 2025 government shutdown drama. If you’re a service member checking your LES or a civilian wondering if your tax dollars are actually reaching the front lines, here is the ground truth.
The 2026 Pay Raise: What Changed?
For 2026, the short answer is yes—troops are absolutely getting paid, and most are seeing a bump. President Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law in late December 2025, which locked in a 3.8% across-the-board increase in basic pay.
This raise wasn't just a random number. It’s tied to the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which basically tracks how much civilian wages are growing. The goal is to keep military pay from falling behind the private sector. While it's not the massive 4.5% or 5.2% hikes we saw in previous years, it’s still significantly higher than the tiny raises from a decade ago.
Breaking Down the Monthly Numbers
Wait, what does 3.8% actually look like? If you’re an E-1 with less than two years, your basic pay is now roughly $2,407 a month. An O-4 with 10 years of service is looking at about $9,419.
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But here’s the thing: basic pay is only one piece of the puzzle.
It’s Not Just Basic Pay (The "Invisible" Money)
Most people outside the military think "pay" is just that one number on a salary chart. It’s not. If you’re asking "are military members getting paid enough," you have to look at the allowances. These are often tax-free, which makes them way more valuable than a regular salary.
- BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing): This is the big one. For 2026, BAH rates jumped by an average of 4.2% nationwide. If you live in a high-cost area like San Diego or DC, your housing allowance might be more than your actual base pay.
- BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence): This is your grocery money. Enlisted members are now getting $476.95 a month, while officers get $328.48.
- The Warrior Dividend: In a bit of a surprise move for 2026, there was a one-time $1,776 "Warrior Dividend" announced. It’s a separate payment outside the normal cycle, though eligibility rules apply.
What Happens During a Government Shutdown?
This is where people get scared. We saw it in late 2025—the government "shuts down," and suddenly everyone’s panicking about their mortgage.
Technically, if Congress doesn't pass a budget, the money stops. But history shows that the government almost always finds a "fix" at the last second. During the most recent 2025 shutdown, active-duty troops were eventually paid through the reallocation of other funds.
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There’s also new legislation called the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026. It was designed specifically to prevent the "work for free" scenario. It basically says that even if the rest of the government is closed, the checks for the Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard) keep flowing.
The Reality of Junior Enlisted Pay
We need to be real for a second. Even with a 3.8% raise, E-1s and E-2s are still feeling the pinch. Inflation in 2026 hasn't been kind to grocery bills.
There’s been a lot of talk in Congress about a "junior enlisted pay fix." While the 3.8% raise is universal, there are still pending discussions about restructuring the entire pay table to give the lowest ranks a more significant boost. For now, junior members are mostly relying on that 3.8% and the slightly higher BAS to make ends meet.
Why Your Check Might Look Different
If you’re looking at your bank account and the math isn't adding up, it’s usually one of three things:
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- Taxes: Basic pay is taxable. BAH and BAS are not. If you just got promoted, you might have jumped into a higher tax bracket, which eats a chunk of that 3.8% raise.
- Allotments: Did you set up a contribution to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)? Or maybe a life insurance (SGLI) payment? Those come out before the money hits your account.
- The 5% Rule: The Department of War (formerly DoD) calculates BAH with the assumption that service members will pay about 5% of their housing costs out of pocket. Depending on your rank, that's roughly $93 to $212 a month you’re expected to cover yourself.
How to Check Your Actual Pay
Don't guess. The best way to see if you're getting paid correctly is to log into myPay and download your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
Check the "Entitlements" column. It should list your Basic Pay, BAH, and BAS separately. If those numbers don't match the 2026 pay tables, you need to head to your finance office immediately. Errors happen, especially during the first few months of a new fiscal year or after a major legislative change.
Actionable Next Steps for Service Members
- Verify your LES: Log in to myPay today. Compare your January 2026 statement to your December 2025 one. You should see that 3.8% increase in the "Basic Pay" line.
- Update your TSP: With a pay raise, it’s the perfect time to bump your TSP contribution by 1%. You won't even feel the difference because your take-home pay still went up overall.
- Check your BAH Zip Code: If you moved recently or the military changed your duty station's housing area boundaries, your BAH might have shifted. Use the official 2026 BAH calculator to ensure you're getting the right rate for your location.
- Budget for the "Out-of-Pocket" Gap: Since BAH only covers 95% of estimated costs, make sure your monthly budget accounts for that extra $100-$200 you'll likely spend on rent or utilities.
Military pay is a massive, moving machine. Between annual raises, longevity bumps every two years, and promotion increases, your "salary" is never really static. Staying on top of your LES is the only way to make sure you're actually getting every cent you've earned.