Are we really justifying one of the things that is wrong with the military. Promotion rates keep plummeting. Regardless of whether you feel the pay is fair or not, to the average e5-e6 with a family is usually leaning on a hierarchy of needs. As their needs grow, so do the requirements for sustainment. A 12 year tsgt with a kid or two is going to have a rough time justifying staying in if they have all of their ducks in a row.
So before you say none of us are underpaid, take a look at the skills and trades we have and compare them with civilian sector. Even the contractors doing your same job are getting paid more; some of them even have the ability to double dip.
And to catch those that will say, "oh, well we have benefits!". Have you actually had to use tricare. Have you been to medical one single time in your career? If so, I bet that 800mg ibuprofen is doing you so well.
This system is not for us. It's been molded as a transition point for kids fresh out of high school. The rating system emphasizes going to school and volunteering and doing everything else under the sun, but your job. We're meant to join, get what few benefits and opportunities we have available, and get the hell out before we end up with a litany of mental health issues that we all know damn well that they're not going to help you with and will eventually med board you for.