Active duty personnel get paid less than minimum wage for one of the most stressful jobs.
America has continually been at war since 1776. Of the 236 years since America was born we have been in war 214 of those years. That's 90% of the time.
War isn't a good thing but it is America's reputation and to continue having the finest fighting force in the world we have to pay them like it.
These aren't killing machines, these are real people with families and children.
How many people would keep their job if, it meant life or death? Not getting to see your spouse and children for years at a time? Or getting paid less than the national average?
Active duty military get paid $20,000-$35,000. They're not doing it for the money but why is their budget continually shrinking?