While NOT living in base is for the most part a choice, you are right. Working down to eight days off is almost impossible for a commuter. And for most people impractical. Add in the difficulty of actually being able to pick up worthwhile OT, and those numbers are certainly not attainable on a regular basis, of at all.

And as been pointed out, there are minimal deductions. No union dues yet, and obviously no savings deductions. I pay a lot of taxes and have my savings taken out post tax, so my take home is laughable. But in the savings respect, I am maximizing my savings now, so that pain is a personal choice.