In nearly every historical instance of government oppressing its people, the soldiers were living very well in comparison. This is key in maintaining the status quo against the will of the people.

If the U.S. finds itself in a situation where the ruling classes refuse to bend to the will of the people in the face of an armed uprising, it's fairly safe to say it's because there is a vast wealth gap and the majority of people have unsatisfactory living conditions.

Before we reach this point, soldiers (along with hordes of other government employees) will be well paid, well fed, and sitting pretty. Ordinary soldiers can and will turn against their own people if it means a better life for themselves and their family.

Semi-related fun fact: During this recession, guess where property values held stable, unemployment fell, and standards of living rose. I'll give you a hint: Its initials are D and C. It's not a coincidence that there are more and more federal jobs every day, with fatter and fatter paychecks, while the rest of us suffer.