Historically, the armed forces have not paid as well as a comparable civilian position. (I do not mean combat arms per se, but a young college graduate entering the work force.) The financial rewards of service have always been sorely lacking. There has never been any argument that a junior ad exec or accountant is 'worth more' than some shave tail Lieutenant. But they certainly will bring home more bacon.

The idea that a civilian of roughly equal training should make less than their peers in uniform is absurd! Ten year commitments, hardship deployments, combat; these are not arguments to support higher pay - they are the conditions of service to the nation.

If you are making less to start than a 2nd louie, there is something seriously, grotesquely wrong with your situation.