Figures are different for JROTC instructor

Dear Editor:

I would like to respond to the article published on August 12, 2011, titled "Contract approved for JROTC instructor."

It was reported that "…the pay Markovich is receiving is identical to what an active soldier of the same rank would receive, including a housing and subsistence allowance."

This is NOT accurate information. To set the record straight an active duty soldier of my rank, time in grade, in a danger zone such as Afghanistan would be paid $9,709 per month, tax free, reference www.Military.com.

The U.S. Government sets the minimum required pay for all JROTC instructors using a formula that can be found on www.usarmyjrotc.com. Basically it states that one would take the active duty pay then subtract out the soldiers retired pay to equal the minimum instructor pay. In my case it is $5,241, per month, taxable, for eleven months, the length of my contract. Of this amount the (Panther Valley) school district is reimbursed 50 percent by the U.S. Government.

As you can see these figures are significantly different and though it would be nice to receive that pay it's just not reality. Thank you for allowing me to clarify the salary of the JROTC instructor.

Kenneth Markovich

Pottsville