Stealth's numbers for monthly deductions were still pretty accurate, even a few years later. But add in a few more--like $23 for dry cleaning, $53 for laundry services, up to $27 for life insurance (that can vary depending on level of coverage), etc etc and you can see there are many fingers that take something out of the pot! There should be an updated listing of the expected annual expenses/income for a cadet in this year's Instructions to Appointees. Last year's booklet showed a cadet's income minus the estimated expenses equaled a net pay of about $900 for the entire YEAR! That amounts to about $75 a month to cover all the things mentioned before--2nd semester books, toiletries, cleaning supplies, dining other than at Mitch's, recreation, flights home etc. plus any expenses a cadet may incur if they join a club (and there are many!). Cadets aren't walking around with overstuffed wallets!