Free Calculators • No Account • Official 2026 DoD & VA Data

Starting Service: Understand your military pay and benefits from day one.

Military pay is more than base pay. See the full picture—including BAH, BAS, tax advantages, healthcare value, and TSP match—so you can make smart money decisions from the start.

Calculate My Total Compensation

Example: E-3 • 2 years • no dependents • Fort Bragg, NC

all monthly

Base Pay

$3,015

monthly

BAS

$477

monthly

BAH

$1,341

monthly

Est. Monthly Value

$4,833

per month

Civilian Equivalent

≈$64,500

annual, pre-tax

First Month Checklist

5 things to do your first month

Each one takes less than 2 minutes.

PAY01 / 05

See your real pay

Most new service members underestimate what they actually earn. See your full compensation in 2 minutes.

Know your numbers. Plan with confidence.

Open calculator

PAYCHECK02 / 05

Check your first paycheck

Learn how to read your LES and catch pay mistakes early before they snowball.

Fix errors fast and keep more of what you earn.

Read guide

RETIREMENT03 / 05

Get your full BRS match

Confirm you're contributing at least 5% so you capture the government's full match — free money that builds with every paycheck you contribute.

New to TSP? Start with the basics

Open calculator

HOUSING04 / 05

Look up your BAH

See what housing money you should actually receive before you sign a lease.

Avoid overpaying. Budget smarter.

Open calculator

PROTECTION05 / 05

Avoid a bad car loan

Know your SCRA protections before you finance anything or sign at the dealership.

Save thousands and protect your rights.

Read guide

Starting military service means understanding the difference between base pay, allowances, benefits, and deductions. Basic pay is taxable, while BAH and BAS are excluded from federal taxable income. Healthcare through TRICARE, SGLI life insurance, TSP contributions, and BRS government contributions can materially affect total compensation. Understanding these components before signing a lease, choosing TSP settings, or comparing military pay to civilian income is essential.

When you're ready for more

Your TSP is already investing for you — see what it's doing
You have education benefits you can use now — learn how to sequence them
Military credit card perks most people miss — SCRA fee waivers

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