Since it is Friday and most likely payday fro a good deal of us I figured I would talk about pay day in the Navy. The military gets paid twice a month and that can be a pain for everyone. When I first joined the Navy we received paychecks just like anyone else. They were not all that impressive, but we did get paid. After I went to my A-school, I had my checks direct deposited.

On a regular payday morning at A-school those who did not use direct deposit stood in line to get their check. It was 0600 when the office opened. There were 4 companies on our floor with 80 people per company, so about 300 sailors needed their checks. I got up took a shower got dressed and went to the ATM for some cash. Soon my friends joined me for breakfast at Mc Donald’s. They waited to get their checks a little later. Those who stood in line most likely missed breakfast and still had no money.

Lunch time came and those with checks stood in line once again to cash them at either the credit union or the exchange. Once again my friends and I had lunch, on me. Don’t worry breakfast and lunch on me was paid back. They would get their checks at lunch time as well and then cash them after school was out later that day.

Direct deposit was a wonderful thing to have. It also lent itself well to allowing me a little extra cash. Guys would want to borrow $10 or $20 until they got their checks cashed. Not that slushing was legal mind you, but if they offered how could I refuse to charge them a little extra. Direct deposit is now required by the military. It saves people problems as well as time on paydays.

Our ship had a very handy pay method, ATM. Every payday you had your check added to your account and you could take out as much or as little as you wanted. The pay list was posted by your last 4 on your social security number. Everyone reporting had to have an account. It was just an easy way to get your money. Then when they offered split pay it was even better. You could split your pay between two accounts. I received a couple hundred each payday and my wife, at the time, received the rest.

Imagine if a ship had to carry the pay for its crew during a 6 month deployment. That would be millions for a carrier. I know we carried a good deal of cash with us on our destroyer, but I never did hear how much. It was rumored to be $1.5 million, but who knows for sure.

Payday was always a day to use the galley on base. Everyone else at out and you could walk right in to eat. My buddies and me at breakfast and lunch either at Mc Donald’s or the enlisted club, but we always ate at the galley for supper on paydays. There were too many darn squids out in town to enjoy your self.

In past times military personal were paid in cash each payday. Other times they would receive special military pay script. You might remember the episode of MASH where the script was being changed from red to blue, or something like that.

There are many different slang terms for pay day in the military. Some people say the Eagle has landed other use less gracious terms. But for me it was hot water shower day followed by a double sausage Mc Muffin and a large coke!