https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/mil-money/2021/11/16/rising-costs-for-troops-pay-and-benefits-could-hurt-military-readiness-experts-warn/ https://www

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/mil-money/2021/11/16/rising-costs-for-troops-pay-and-benefits-could-hurt-military-readiness-experts-warn/ https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/mil-money/2021/11... > The average cost per active duty service member for the department in fiscal 2021 was $136,000 How many service members could command salary/benefits like this in the private sector? Most count beans and clean things. I bet that doesn't factor in pensions and lifetime benefits either. The US military is the country's largest welfare program.