How does junior enlisted pay increase work in the military?

I've heard that junior enlisted pay increases over time in the military. How does the pay scale work for someone just starting? Are the increases based on time served or performance-based, or both?

Junior enlisted pay in the military operates on a specific structured system known as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) pay scale.

This pay scale is primarily based on two factors: one's rank (or pay grade) and length of service. For example, a private (E-1) with less than two years of service could earn around $1,785 per month. However, an E-1 with more than two years of service can expect a pay bump.

Generally, an E-2, E-3, and E-4 will get a pay raise after they've served the required time at their current rank and are promoted to the next. For example, an E-3 (Private First Class in the Army) with less than two years of service makes markedly more than an E-1 or E-2 with equivalent time served.

Promotions for these lower enlisted ranks are typically based on time served, combined with performance evaluations from their commanders. Performance could potentially speed up the promotion process, depending on the branch of military service.

Apart from the basic pay, there are also housing allowances (BAH), subsistence (BAS), and other benefits, which can increase one's overall income.

However, it's important to note that while the military provides clearly defined pay charts, actual pay raises depend on decisions made by Congress and the President of the United States, as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Thus, pay raises may vary from year to year.

In sum, the salary for a junior enlisted military member is calculated based on time spent in service, rank, and performance evaluations, with provisions for periodic raises and additional income from housing and subsistence allowances. It's a somewhat complex but well-defined system that is intended to reward both longevity and skill in one's role.