Pay Question--

[rmee91]

I am working on my GED to be able to enlist soon. I have read it take up to a month and half to receive your first pay check. I dont care how long it will take to recieve but what I am wondering is if they forget those 1.5 months do they pay for them or do they just start paying when they want to. What im getting at is if they forget 1.5 months then I will get paid 5 times in one lump sum? Im a little confused here!
Thanks!:confused:

[MSG Glenn]

My son recently left active duty after a 4 year 16 week enlistment & I can't really remember it taking that long.

What he had to do was start a savings account as well as a checking account. Then he had to fill out a form for direct deposit to his savings account. His bank didn't have direct deposit to checking accounts. He had an ATM card & an automatic transfer of funds from savings to checking each month. His Mom & I could access both accounts. If he needed extra funds in checking we could manually transfer it for him.

You'll have to find someone more current to see what the time lag is for your first payday. As you know you get paid twice a month.

Since you'll need an account anyway I'd advise starting out with some money in a checking account or any account that gives you an ATM card. On Army posts there are plenty of ATM machines.

I think they still give you a partial advance on your first paycheck & march your platoon to the PX to buy personal hygiene products.

[Armygirl4Ever]

I am working on my GED to be able to enlist soon. I have read it take up to a month and half to receive your first pay check. I dont care how long it will take to recieve but what I am wondering is if they forget those 1.5 months do they pay for them or do they just start paying when they want to. What im getting at is if they forget 1.5 months then I will get paid 5 times in one lump sum? Im a little confused here!
Thanks!:confused:

You will get back paid, they won't make you work for free. It normally takes up to two pay periods mainly because it depends on when you start. Sometimes Soldiers start after the cutoff for all pay information to go into the big pay system. It's gotten a lot better over the years...they tell families/Soldiers coming in to plan it to take 2-3 pay periods to get pay started as a precaution it normally doesn't take that long. And if it does, you get back pay on everything you are entitled to.

[rmee91]

Thanks for the quick reply! I will start a checking account before I leave. I know this is a little off-topic but what should you bring to basic? What is a deffinate no no to bring? I know there is a list of what not to bring on the site but It did not say to not bring cell phones...are they allowed? Thanks!

[New Army Mom]

My son just recently left for basic and this is what I've discovered. He left on the 16th - his first paycheck should hit his account on Oct. 15th (so approximately one month later). I was concerned that he needed extra money in his account to use at Basic prior to his first pay check hitting, but his recruiter informed me that they give him a cash card advance to use at the PX for personal hygiene stuff until his first paycheck arrives.

Prior to his leaving for Basic Training they supplied us with a list of things that he could take to Basic --- and trust me --- it is not much. No cell phones allowed. I can bring his cell phone to his graduation from Basic with his charger and stuff. When he left for Basic, he left with basically a change of underwear, and a few personal hygiene stuff - some important papers, wallet, idea, check card, stuff like that - and up to $50.00 in cash. However, wait until you get your list from your recruiter - it will tell you exactly what to take --- I think some may be different. I'm not sure - but I don't want to tell you something that is or isn't allowed and be wrong for your training. I'm just letting you know what my son was allowed to take.

Good luck and thanks for serving!!!!

[Armygirl4Ever]

Thanks for the quick reply! I will start a checking account before I leave. I know this is a little off-topic but what should you bring to basic? What is a deffinate no no to bring? I know there is a list of what not to bring on the site but It did not say to not bring cell phones...are they allowed? Thanks!

Aside from a change of clothing he doesn't really need anything. They will give them a cash advance to purchase all that they need from personal hygeine items to socks and other things they will need.

They will not be allowed to have cell-phones or any other electronics. Their personal bags will be taken and locked up into a personal baggage room, so whatever he can't have will be locked up in there. But like anything you want to limit the valuables.

[Airborne Z]

Paydays are the 1st and the 15th of each month. Generally, this is how it works. For any change in pay to take affect by the 1st of the month it needs to be processed by the 15th, and vice versa. This is why it usually takes about a month. Anything more and there's likely a problem.