Quick question on the salary of a guardian. 

$1787 is the base pay for an E3. But you have to factor in all the allowances you will get on top of that like BAH, BAS, Uniform allowance, COLA, Sea Pay... It really depends on where you are stationed as far as what allowances you get and if you have any dependents. There is no way for us to accurately say how much you will get without knowing what unit you would be at, and your marital situation.

So BAH, and BAS aren't a for sure payment? still new to the military pay and such lol

BAS is for sure but BAH is not. If you do not get BAH that means you are living in military housing. If you live in military housing you don't pay rent, electricity, trash, water... but you do not get a housing allowance. You still have to cover cable, internet....stuff like that. Your BAH is supposed to cover rent and utilities.

As an E3, I can almost guarantee you won't be living on the economy ( in other words, eligible to receive BAH) for some time. If you get assigned to a cutter, you may be required to live aboard until you qualify as a watchstander, and then possibly living in UPH (Unaccompanied Personnel Housing, i.e barracks) after that. Let's face it, we don't join for the money

Most small stations are going to have you on the economy and even a large sector is going to run out of barracks room usually around 6 months after you get there then you will be released and given BAH. The last count I believe the majority of non rates actually get BAH.

Also BAS isn't a guarantee, if assigned to a ship you won't get it as your food is provided.

Thanks for your help guys! I am not looking at a move into the Coast Guard for the money, just trying to see what the situation would be... the CG offers me job training, experience in multiple fields (as a non-rate), and.... TRAVEL!!

so that $1,787 a month base pay is pretty much take home (with taxes) since the CG covers housing, food, dental, and medical right? sounds like a great deal, and the SOCCOAST program, Tuition Assistance, and the post 9/11 GI bill... why didn't i enlist three years ago?

YES! and YES!

Contrary to what some will tell you, BAS isn't exactly "guaranteed". Everyone gets BAS but if you are stationed on a cutter that has messing, it will be subsequently subtracted from your paycheck regardless if you choose to eat on the boat or not. I get about $360 here (around about) but about $340 gets deducted automatically.

Also, depending on where you are stationed, you may or may not get COLA. I average $700/month in COLA here in Alaska.

If I can hijack this for a moment, how does a wife and 1 kid affect these figures?

Your BAH will be higher. If you google military BAH calculator and put in the area you will be living, it will give you a BAH with and without dependents. Thats about it. It doesn't matter how many kids you have or if its just you and your wife. You are either with dependents or without. If there is military housing available that will accommodate you and your dependents, then you will be required to live in housing and will not receive BAH.