Basic Pay is the base salary for a soldier on active duty and counts for part of total military income. Basic Pay is electronically distributed on the 1st and 15th of every month, similar to many civilian jobs. Basic Pay for a soldier depends on length of service as well as rank (most enlisted soldiers enter the Army as a private).

Army National Guard officers and enlisted soldiers are eligible for Basic Pay while on federal active duty. When not on active duty, Army National Guard soldiers are eligible for Drill Pay.

Army National Guard officers and enlisted service members are eligible for Drill Pay as they serve their weekend and other training duties. If placed on active duty they are eligible for the same Basic Pay as their active duty counterparts.

For more information, please visit the Military Members webpage maintained by Defense Finance and Accounting Services: https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers.html

or the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulations:
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_07a.pdf

2024 Military Pay Charts:
https://www.dfas.mil/Portals/98/Documents/militarymembers/militarymembers/pay-tables/2024%20AC%20Pay%20Tables%20Final.docx

https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/

Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Compensation website:
https://militarypay.defense.gov/