A member of the military with over three years of service who is an E4 earns $2,267.10 a month. Let's say this person earns another $1,300 in family separation, combat duty pay, jump pay and cost of living adjustment (COLA), that's $3,567.10. Active duty military is paid based on 24/7 mission readiness equals 720 hours a month. $3,567.10 divided by 720 hours equals $4.95 per hour. Even with food and benefits being covered it's nowhere close to $15 per hour. And officers pay for their own food.