Reference:
Hosek, J., & MacDermid Wadsworth, S. (2013). Economic Conditions of military families. Future of Children, 23, 41-59.
Summary:
After a period of steady pay increases, Hosek and MacDermid Wadsworth note that service members typically earn more than civilians with a comparable level of education, and receive many other benefits that civilians often do not, including housing allowances, subsidized child care, tuition assistance and top-of-the-line comprehensive health care. It is noted that service members work longer hours than civilians, and are exposed to hazards that civilians don’t face. The combat pay helps their families cope financially but cannot alleviate the stress. The article also found that more military spouses are either unemployed or work fewer hours than they would like, and military spouses overall tend to earn less than their civilian counterparts. Service members and their families report financial distress, and a handful even qualify for food stamps, especially when a service member leaves the armed forces and makes less money.