My Take Home After Insurance (Family- Middle tier Insurance with life dental and vision) and taxes, also before per diem is 1060 a month (530 a paycheck) after that there are uniform deductions ($440 at $50 a paycheck) and travel benifits for everyone (me, wife, daughter, mom, dad) at $50 per paycheck ($250 total) I have not made anywhere near Guarantee. So the math equals a takehome of $12,060 in my first year. That is real numbers based on my life. My reasons for being here are the fact that I need the insurance, and location near family. The flying fits my lifestyle needs for now, and my wife is bringing home the spending money. I don't have any regrets, I don't expect sympathy, although I would of course take more money, but I figured I would lay it out for everyone. I also don't have a crashpad, so the $9,000 number is probably about right.