Are navy/marines recruits satisfied with their pay?

In 2008, 41% of navy recruits surveyed said they were satisfied with their pay, which compares with about 48% of civilians who are satisfied with their pay.  Of the marines, only a quarter said they were satisfied with their pay.

What is the rate of pay?

From spring 2009, the rate of pay for new navy/marines recruits is £13,644 (about £260 per week before tax), rising to £17,014 (about £325 per week before tax) once trained.

It typically requires about 12 years' service to reach the rank of Petty Officer in the navy or Sergeant in the marines, at which point you would earn £32,000-£36,000 in today's money, although most recruits leave sooner than this.

Is this a good rate of pay?

Those who say this is not a good rate of pay point out:

• The average (median) pay in the UK jobs market in 2009 was £25,428 - much higher than what most enlisted personnel earn in the armed forces.
• The armed forces do a dangerous job and have restricted freedoms so they ought to be paid a lot more than they are at the moment

Those who say it is a good rate of pay point out:

• Many people who join the armed forces come from poorer backgrounds and as civilians would be earning less than the national average.
• There are other perks involved in an armed forces career (cheaper travel, good pension, fewer living costs), which help you to get by.

[Sources: Tri-Service Rates of Pay, 2008; Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey, 2008; Work Foundation, 2006; Office for National Statistics, 2009]

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