After all my entitlements as an E-6 with 18+ years in, I was still only making about 33k a year (retired in 2006). You can't find a single civilian job where they're required to work as many hours as I did, and where the risk is as high, that makes that little. Enlisted E-6 and below are paid peanuts compared to civilians in similar jobs. I'm happy you feel properly compensated for your efforts, but don't go making such false statements about the Enlisted guys. Not the lowly E-6 and below anyway. I know E-7 and above make pretty good bank, but not the "peons". Even after 18+ years it's still crap pay for what they're subjected to. 12 on/12 off, 7 days a week while at sea + watch standing. Yeah....not a nice living. I call BS sir!
Well, I'm an O4 w/ 25+ years (maxed out on the pay scale) and I'm living very comfortably. Most of the E6's I know are making well over $2,500 bring home per paycheck (2x's a month) w/ DC housing allowance. That's $60+K/year - after taxes w/ free medical. I just returned from a 2-year stint in Virginia Beach/Norfolk, and the E6 I worked w/ made around $2300/bring home per pay check....w/ 15 years in.
I'm sorry you had a sh*tty experience in the military. I've enjoyed my time. Yeah, sure there's been some rough times - in 2005/2006, as a LTJG, I deployed to the desert, I lived in a warehouse w/ 100 other grown men, working 7 days/week, standing watches. It sucked. But it was temporary. In 1991 I deployed to the desert as an E3 Navy Hospital Corpsman. I lived in a tent. It sucked.
But now, as a 25+ year veteran, I sit in an office and make O4 pay (which includes over $40,000/year tax free in BAH and BAS). It's a DAMN good live.
I can honestly say that I'm overpaid.....and I love it! I have 3 more years left and I'll retire. I wish I could do this for another 8-10 years, but it's time for me to move on (I'll turn 50 and I'm ready to move back to Florida).