As a servicemember, your compensation looks different than the straightforward paycheck most civilians earn. A military pay statement often includes a document called a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) that highlights housing allowances, food allowances, special duty pay, and tax advantages, officially outlining your military pay, allowances, deductions, taxes, and leave balances for a specific pay period.
Understanding your LES helps you plan your finances, including budgeting, tax preparation, and ensuring that you receive the correct pay and benefits. Learn how to read it, what each section means, and how it affects your finances as a servicemember or Veteran.
An LES is your military pay stub. It provides a detailed breakdown of your total compensation and financial activity during a pay period.
Your LES summarizes:
Most servicemembers receive an LES twice per month, one for mid-month pay and another for end-of-month pay.
You may access your LES online through systems such as:
Reviewing your LES regularly helps you:
Even small discrepancies may affect your finances over time, so try to make it a habit to check your LES at least each month.
Your LES does more than show how much money is deposited into your bank account. It gives you a full picture of your total military compensation, which may include several forms of pay and benefits.
Understanding your LES helps you manage your finances by:
Your LES may also be important when applying for financial products or assistance programs. Lenders often review LES statements when you apply for:
For military families and single servicemembers alike, understanding your LES supports your overall financial health.
Your LES is broken down into several sections to reflect the different aspects of your pay and benefits. While the layout may vary slightly by service branch, the core information remains the same.
This section contains personal details that identify the servicemember receiving the pay statement.
It typically includes:
Reviewing this section helps confirm that the LES belongs to you and reflects your correct rank and status.
The Entitlements section lists all types of pay and allowances you receive.
Common examples include:
These payments represent your gross earnings before deductions.
Allowances such as BAH and BAS are designed to offset living expenses in different locations, and may be tax-advantaged depending on the situation.
The deductions section shows money withheld from your pay, which can help you understand why your net pay is a lower number than your total entitlements.
Common deductions may include:
Allotments are voluntary payments automatically sent to specific accounts or organizations.
Examples include:
Many servicemembers use allotments to automate financial responsibilities and savings goals.
This section tracks your earned and used leave.
You may see information such as:
Most servicemembers earn 2.5 days of leave per month, which equals 30 days of leave per year. Monitoring your leave balance helps you plan time off and avoid losing unused leave.
The Summary area provides a quick overview of your pay for the period.
It typically includes:
Comparing this amount with your bank deposit can help you confirm that your pay was processed correctly.
Several allowances commonly appear on military LES statements. These are designed to offset living costs or compensate for certain duties.
Examples include:
Many of these allowances may be tax-free, which may significantly increase your take-home pay compared with taxable income alone.
While military pay systems are designed to be accurate, reviewing your LES regularly helps you identify potential issues early.
Examples of mistakes to watch for include:
If something appears incorrect, you should contact:
Addressing discrepancies early may help prevent larger financial issues later.
It’s a good idea to establish a monthly routine to check your LES and stay informed about your pay and benefits. Understanding your military pay will prepare you for life post-military when you no longer receive military tax benefits as a civilian.
Use this quick checklist each month:
It is also helpful to save copies of your LES statements. Keeping these records simplifies tax preparation and provides documentation for loans, housing applications, or financial planning.
The more you understand your LES, the more empowered you’ll be to make smart financial decisions. Armed Forces Mutual Members get access to exclusive, military-focused financial advice, including help with your LES. Get a quote to start fortifying your finances today.