It doesn't seem like either civilians or the military are getting much of a pay raise, especially when one considers the inexorable inflationary rise of prices.
ah but you must consider that most military based in the US receive "BAH" 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:
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm
http://www.defenseone.com/management/2014/09/heres-chart-sho...
It doesn't seem like either civilians or the military are getting much of a pay raise, especially when one considers the inexorable inflationary rise of prices.