Meet LES
"In a world that's powered by acronyms..."
This is the Leave and Earnings Statement and it is the primary money form showing what your spouse has earned in pay and leave. Here is the official definition:
A Leave and Earnings Statement, generally referred to as an LES, is a document given on a monthly basis to members of the United States military which documents their pay and leave status on a monthly basis.
LES is Complicated, Too
Like most things military, its complicated. (I figure that if I say this or write it enough, then new spouses will stop asking, "Why is everything so complicated?")
The Leave and Earnings Statement is so complicated that you are going to need assistance reading it and understanding it. Check out what DFAS points out:
Understanding Your Leave and Earnings Statement
The Interactive LES allows you to better understand your LES. To review a detailed description about a particular section of the LES, click on the section of interest; click on the section description's title to return to the LES.
Oh yeah...DFAS (pronounced "dee-FASS" or "DEE-fuhs", but rarely "D F A S") is the Defence Finance and Accounting Service - the actual people who cut the checks. You will learn to LOOK FOR envelopes from these people.
Wait, What?
An INTERACTIVE LES?
See what I mean? It's complicated.
Get to Know LES
Don't just take my word for it, check out what Raleigh Duttweiler (Military.com) wrote about LES:
If you've ever faced a deployment, you know one of the first things you'll be told to do for family readiness is to get a copy of your spouse's Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) -- and to make sense of it.
Find out more about Military LES
DFAS.mil
Military.com
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Taurus James is the 2016 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year from Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Taurus is a 20-year civilian male military spouse and stay-at-home-dad. He is also a minister and composer of Moody Instrumental Music. Taurus is a professional IT Consultant and Web Developer, and he built and maintains the Machospouse.com website for free. Find out more about Taurus through his blog:
"Faithwalk Music: Faith, Music and Life of a Moody Instrumental Musician"
