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2026 rates are in effect. Pay and BAH updated January 1st. Tap the AI tab if you have questions about anything.
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Ask anything — BAH changes during deployment, what discounts your spouse qualifies for, how to use TA, what happens to pay during PCS. I know your profile already.
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Powered by Claude · USMC-focused · 2026 rates
Hey! I know your profile already. Ask me anything about your pay, benefits, healthcare, housing, or entitlements — I've got you.
Does BAH stop during deployment?
What's my BAH if I PCS to Okinawa?
What discounts can my spouse use?
How does TRICARE dental work?
BAH and BAS are completely tax-free
Only base pay gets taxed. BAH (housing) and BAS (food) come out untouched, which makes your real compensation much higher than it looks on paper.
Your monthly breakdown
2026 rates
Full 2026 USMC pay table
Extra pays you might qualify for
Hostile fire ($225/mo), Airborne/Jump ($150/mo), Sea pay (varies), SDAP for SSgt+, Foreign Language Pay, Diving pay. Ask the AI tab what applies to your situation.
Good news: Active duty members pay $0 for TRICARE. Your coverage is automatic and free.
Pick your plan
TRICARE Prime
Best for most
Like an HMO. One primary doctor who refers you everywhere. Free at base clinic, tiny copay off-base.
TRICARE Select
Like a PPO. See any authorized doctor without a referral. More flexibility, slightly higher cost.
Direct Care
Base clinic only. Totally free, but you're limited to what's available at your installation.
TRICARE Overseas
For OCONUS assignments. Works at host-country facilities and overseas military clinics.
What you'll actually pay (2026)
TRICARE Prime · Active duty
Doctor visit (base clinic)Free
Doctor visit (off-base, in-network)Free
Specialist (with referral)Free
ER at baseFree
ER off-base$30
Therapy / mental healthFree
Prescriptions at base pharmacyFree
Mail-order prescriptions (generic)Free
Mail-order prescriptions (brand)$14 for 90 days
Annual out-of-pocket max$1,000
Dental and vision are separate
Sign up for FEDVIP for dental coverage. Base dental takes care of readiness stuff for free. Vision needs its own plan. Your S-1 can help with enrollment.
Tuition Assistance (TA)
Free college money you can use right now
Available now
How much per year$4,500
Per credit hour max$250
Works for undergrad and gradYes
Does it touch your GI Bill?Nope
Commitment after using it2 extra years of service
How to applyMarine OnLine (MOL)
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Save this for after you get out — it's your most powerful benefit
Tuition at a public in-state school100% covered
Private / out-of-state school cap$28,937 / yr
Monthly housing stipendE-5 w/ dependents BAH rate
Books and suppliesUp to $1,000 / yr
Total time available36 months
Can you give it to your kids?Yes (4-yr commitment)
MyCAA for spouses
If you're O-1 to O-3, W-1 to W-2, or E-1 to E-5, your spouse can get up to $4,000 for education through MyCAA. Apply at MyCAA.com before they start any program.
You keep what you don't spend
BAH is based on median rent in your area. If you find a place cheaper than your BAH rate, the leftover is yours to keep — tax-free. It's not a use-it-or-lose-it thing.
Your BAH rate
Based on your grade and duty station
Going overseas? It's called OHA instead
OCONUS stations use Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) instead of BAH. It covers your actual rent up to a local cap, plus a utilities allowance. Rates vary a lot by country — ask the AI tab for your specific location.
This section is for military families. Discounts, BAH changes, and everything you need to know when life changes.
How BAH changes
During deployment
BAH does NOT stop when your Marine deploys
Common myth
BAH keeps coming during deploymentYes, full rate
Does it matter where spouse lives?Rate stays the same
Exception: unaccompanied ordersReduced rate applies
Family stays home of recordFull w/ dependents rate
During a PCS move
The part that trips everyone up
Rate while still at old baseOld base rate
Rate switches whenOn official reporting date
TLE (temp lodging covered)Up to 10 days
Per diem during travelPaid for whole family
Adding a new dependent
Baby, marriage, or adoption
BAH rate change kicks inDay of the event
Not end of month — immediatelyCorrect
Update DEERS within60 days
New baby TRICARE coverageAuto for first 60 days
Submit paperwork toYour S-1
PCS checklist — don't leave money on the table
Household goods shipment (HHG)
Full weight allowance paid by the government. Schedule at move.mil.
PPM / DITY move
Move yourself and get paid 95% of what it would've cost the government. Easy money.
Vehicle shipment
One vehicle shipped at government expense.
TLE — Temporary Lodging Expense
Up to 10 days of temp housing covered at both ends of your move.
Per diem for travel days
Everyone in your family counts. Don't forget to claim it.
Mileage reimbursement
Reimbursed at the IRS rate per mile driven.
Discounts for military families
Commissary
~30% below retail. Use it every week.
~30% off groceries
Amazon Prime
Free with military verification via ID.me.
Free Prime
Disney Parks
$50–80 off per day for military families.
$50–80 / day off
National Parks
America the Beautiful pass — free annual access to all national parks.
Free annual pass
USAA
Banking and insurance. Spouses are eligible too.
Spouses eligible
Lowe's & Home Depot
10% off in-store with military ID.
10% off
Best times to shop & save
Seasonal deals worth knowing about
Military Appreciation MonthMay — widest discount window
Veterans Day (Nov 11)Free meals + dozens of deals
Commissary case lot salesSpring & Fall annually
Exchange tax-free weekendsVaries by state / base
MWR on baseTickets, trips, gear rental
How to verify for most discounts
Most places use ID.me or SheerID for online verification, or you can show your military ID in person. Spouse discounts usually require enrollment in DEERS. Ask the AI tab to help find a specific discount.
Start documenting injuries now, not later
VA disability is based on proving a service connection. Every injury, exposure, or medical issue you document while on active duty makes a future claim stronger. Don't wait until you're separating.
VA disability pay (2026)
Tax-free monthly payment based on your disability rating
10% rating$175.51 / mo
20% rating$346.95 / mo
30% rating$524.31 / mo
50% rating$1,075.16 / mo
70% rating$1,716.28 / mo
100% rating$3,737.85 / mo
PACT Act — burn pit exposure
If you were near burn pits or had toxic exposures, file a claim under the PACT Act. The burden of proof has flipped — the VA now has to prove you're NOT eligible. Always worth filing.
Your military ID is worth thousands a year
Between the commissary, exchange, free Amazon Prime, and military discounts, most families save $3,000–5,000 a year without thinking about it. Here's where to start.
On base — use these first
Commissary
Groceries at cost. Roughly 30% cheaper than off-base stores. Open to all military families.
~30% off groceries
MCX / Exchange
The on-base department store. No sales tax and prices are negotiated below retail.
Tax-free shopping
MWR Programs
Morale, Welfare & Recreation. Discounted tickets to theme parks, resorts, gear rentals, and trips. Check your base MWR office.
Heavily discounted
Base Gym
Free gym access for all active duty and their families. Most bases have multiple facilities.
Free
Shopping & retail
Amazon Prime
Free membership with military verification through ID.me. Worth $139/yr.
Free ($139 value)
Apple
~8% off Mac, iPad, and accessories through their military store.
~8% off
Dell
10–15% off laptops and computers through Dell's military program.
10–15% off
Lowe's & Home Depot
10% off in store with a military ID. Great for PCS move-in projects.
10% off
Travel & entertainment
Disney Parks
$50–80 off per day. Military families get some of the best park discount rates available.
$50–80 / day off
National Parks
Free America the Beautiful annual pass. Get it at any national park entrance.
Free annual pass
Airlines
United, Delta, and American all offer free checked bags for military. Always ask.
Free checked bags
Hotels
Marriott, Hilton, and IHG all have military rates. Always book direct and ask for the military discount.
Military rate
Financial & insurance
USAA
Banking, insurance, and investments. Rates are consistently lower than civilian options. Spouses are eligible.
Spouses eligible
Navy Federal
Credit union open to all military branches and families. Great rates on auto loans and mortgages.
All branches eligible
TurboTax / H&R Block
Free federal tax filing for active duty military. Don't pay for this.
Free filing
SCRA Interest Cap
Federal law caps interest on pre-service debt at 6% during active duty. Call your lenders and ask for it.
6% interest cap
Best times to save
Military Appreciation MonthMay — widest discount window all year
Veterans Day (Nov 11)Free meals + dozens of retailer deals
Memorial Day (late May)Travel deals + retailer sales
Commissary case lot salesSpring & Fall — stock up big
Exchange tax-free weekendsVaries by state and base
MWR seasonal promotionsCheck the base MWR Facebook page
How to verify for most discounts
Most places use ID.me or SheerID for online verification — create a free ID.me account and verify once, then use it everywhere. In person, your military ID works at almost any retailer that offers a military discount. Spouse discounts usually require DEERS enrollment.
Your field guide to Marine Corps life
Ranks, acronyms, and how it all fits together. Bookmark this tab for the first few months.
Enlisted ranks — E-1 to E-9
Pvt
E-1
Private
Brand new. Just out of boot camp.
PFC
E-2
Private First Class
Usually after a few months of service.
LCpl
E-3
Lance Corporal
First rank with a leadership role. Very common rank to marry into.
Cpl
E-4
Corporal
First NCO rank. Leads a small team (fire team). Huge step up in responsibility.
Sgt
E-5
Sergeant
Leads a squad (~13 Marines). Career is getting serious here.
SSgt
E-6
Staff Sergeant
Senior NCO. Advises platoon commanders. Typically 6–10 years in.
GySgt
E-7
Gunnery Sergeant
"Gunny." One of the most respected ranks in the Corps. Technical expert.
MSgt
E-8
Master Sergeant / First Sergeant
1stSgt is the senior enlisted of a company — your Marine's direct boss if they're enlisted.
SgtMaj
E-9
Sergeant Major / Master Gunnery Sgt
Top of the enlisted ranks. SgtMaj of the Marine Corps advises the Commandant.
Officer ranks — O-1 to O-10
2ndLt
O-1
Second Lieutenant
Fresh out of OCS or NROTC. Leads a platoon (~40 Marines). Learning the ropes.
1stLt
O-2
First Lieutenant
Usually ~18 months in. Takes on more responsibilities, often exec of a platoon.
Capt
O-3
Captain
Commands a company (~180 Marines). First real command. Big deal.
Maj
O-4
Major
Staff officer level. Works at battalion or regiment headquarters.
LtCol
O-5
Lieutenant Colonel
Commands a battalion (~800 Marines). This is serious seniority.
Col
O-6
Colonel
Commands a regiment or large installation. 20+ years typically.
BGen
O-7
Brigadier General
First general officer rank. One star. Less than 1% of officers reach this.
Gen
O-10
General / Commandant
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is the highest-ranking Marine. Four stars.
How a Marine unit is organized
Marine Corps
~180,000 active duty
Division
~19,000 Marines · commanded by a MajGen (O-8)
Regiment
~3,000 Marines · Col (O-6)
Battalion
~800 Marines · LtCol (O-5)
Company
~180 Marines · Capt (O-3)
Platoon
~40 Marines · 2ndLt or 1stLt
Squad
~13 Marines · Sgt (E-5)
Squad
~13 Marines · Sgt (E-5)
Squad
~13 Marines · Sgt (E-5)
Fire Team
4 Marines · Cpl (E-4)
Acronym dictionary
BAH
Basic Allowance for Housing
Monthly tax-free payment to cover rent. Based on rank and duty station. If you rent for less than your BAH, you keep the difference.
BAS
Basic Allowance for Subsistence
Monthly tax-free food allowance. Officers get $311/mo, enlisted get $460/mo (2026). You get it regardless of whether you eat in the chow hall.
PCS
Permanent Change of Station
When your Marine gets orders to move to a new base. Usually happens every 2–3 years. The government pays for your move.
MOS
Military Occupational Specialty
Your Marine's job. Every job in the Corps has a 4-digit code. 0302 = Infantry Officer. 0311 = Rifleman. 6174 = Helicopter mechanic.
LES
Leave and Earnings Statement
Your Marine's monthly pay stub. Shows base pay, all allowances, deductions, and leave balance. Available on MyPay.dfas.mil.
DEERS
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
The military's database of who's eligible for benefits. You must be enrolled in DEERS to use TRICARE, get an ID card, or access base. Do this first thing after marriage or birth.
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer
Enlisted leaders — Corporal (E-4) through Sergeant Major (E-9). They're promoted from within the enlisted ranks, not commissioned from college/OCS.
OCS
Officer Candidate School
Where civilians become Marine officers. 10 weeks in Quantico, VA. If your Marine went to college and joined as an officer, they went through OCS or NROTC.
TAD / TDY
Temporary Additional Duty
Short-term assignment away from home base for training, schools, or missions. Not a full PCS — they come back. BAH stays the same.
CO
Commanding Officer
The boss of a unit — company, battalion, or regiment. What civilians would call the CEO of that unit. Has a lot of authority over your Marine's daily life.
XO
Executive Officer
Second in command of a unit. Handles the admin and day-to-day operations so the CO can focus on leadership and mission.
SNCO
Staff Non-Commissioned Officer
Staff Sergeant (E-6) and above. More experienced NCOs who serve in staff or advisory roles rather than directly leading small teams.
FRO
Family Readiness Officer
The unit's designated contact for military families. Your first call when you can't reach your Marine, need info about deployment, or need help navigating resources. Get this number early.
FRG
Family Readiness Group
The spouse and family community for a unit. Hosts events, shares info during deployments, and is a great way to meet other military spouses. Some are very active, others less so.
USMC
United States Marine Corps
One of the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Known for infantry and expeditionary warfare. Administratively part of the Department of the Navy.
UA
Unauthorized Absence
The Marine equivalent of AWOL (Absent Without Leave). Missing a formation or duty without permission. A serious offense that can affect pay and career.
TLE
Temporary Lodging Expense
Reimbursement for hotel/temp housing during a PCS move. Up to 10 days covered. Claim it — most people forget.
SCRA
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
A federal law that protects active duty military financially. Caps interest rates at 6% on pre-service debt, protects against eviction, and more. Very useful during deployment.
MTF
Military Treatment Facility
The hospital or clinic on base. TRICARE is free here. If you have a choice, always use the MTF first before going off-base.
MOL
Marine OnLine
The Marine Corps' internal admin portal. Where Marines apply for Tuition Assistance, check leave balances, and manage personal records.