General Compensation
General compensation, also known as regular military compensation (RMC), refers to the basic elements (including Active Duty and Reserve pay tables, allowances for housing and subsistence, and tax advantage of the tax-free allowances) of what is considered the military equivalent of private sector salaries. The most common allowances, as mentioned above, are Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). A majority of the force receives both of these allowances, and in many cases, these allowances compose a substantial part of the service member's pay. All personnel are entitled to receive RMC and DoD has used it as a fundamental measure of military pay dating back to 1962.
Federal Law
37 U.S. Code § 201: Basic pay is determined by the grade or rank and years in service.
37 U.S. Code § 204: Members of the uniformed services on active duty and National Guard members participating in full-time training or other full-time duty are entitled to basic pay.
37 U.S. Code § 206: A member of the reserve component not eligible for basic pay is entitled to 1/30 of monthly basic pay for each period of inactive-duty training. This includes regular instruction or period of appropriate duty at which the member is engaged for at least two hours, or equivalent training, duties, or instruction, as prescribed by the Service Secretary, with a limit of four equivalent periods allowed each fiscal year. Service Secretaries set standards for training and duties, set the maximum number of assemblies or equivalent periods that may be counted for pay purposes, and set the minimum number of assemblies or equivalent periods that must be completed to qualify for pay.
37 U.S. Code § 101: The term "regular compensation" or "regular military compensation" means the total of the following elements that a member of a uniformed service accrues or receives, directly or indirectly, in cash or in-kind every payday: basic pay, basic allowance for housing, basic allowance for subsistence, and Federal tax advantage accruing to the aforementioned allowances because they are not subject to Federal income tax.
37 U.S. Code § 402: Officers who are entitled to basic pay are also entitled to basic allowance for subsistence.
37 U.S. Code § 403: Officers who are entitled to basic pay are also entitled to basic allowance for housing. The BAH amount varies according to the grade, dependency status and geographic location.
DoD Policy
DOD FMR Vol. 7A, Chapter 1: For the purposes of calculating basic pay, credible service includes service in any regular or reserve branch of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, the Coast Guard and Public Health Service.
DOD FMR Vol. 7A, Table 1-7: includes basic pay rates for officers.
DOD FMR Vol. 7A, Chapter 57: A member of the Reserve Component serving on active duty is entitled to receive pay. When a Reserve member serves in active-duty for over 30 days with service beginning on the first day of the calendar month, that member is entitled to full-monthly pay. For active-duty service under 30 days, members are entitled to 1/30 of month pay rate for each day of service.
Air Force Policy
Implements U.S. Law and DOD policy.
Army Policy
Implements U.S. Law and DOD policy.
Navy Policy
Implements U.S. Law and DOD policy.
Marine Corps Policy
Implements U.S. Law and DOD policy. No service-specific policy.