With prototype where ever you go you will be off base. I know if you don't mind sharing an apartment and don't need beachfront or other expensive options you can make money on you housing allowance as well. Current check for single E-4 (less than 2 years in Navy), maxed thrift deduction, but including all allowances (housing and food) is $1200+ per pay period (2xmonthly). Only about 1/3 of the monthly checks are needed for rent and utilities. This withholds enough tax to get a refund. Now if you have a $1,000/month car payment and have expensive entertain tastes this could get little tight, but at least the early part of prototype doesn't leave a lot of energy for expensive entertainment if you are trying to get ahead in qualifying which, given what happened to the sailors at BS last October, is what you want to do.
Monthly details as follows:
Basepay $1,827.60 (s/t taxes)
BAS(Charleston) 323.87
BAH 967.00
total gross $3,118.47 (less Uncle, FICA, MCare)
Not a rich man's salary, but it includes all medical and dental (no co-pay like in private industry). And don't forget 2 years of "free" education and experience. And then the
bonuses, sea pay, if sub vol - sub pay, all pay goes up after 2 years, with effort E-5 by or shortly after prototype completion. This increases pay and allowances. If sub vol - qualification bonus. Oh, and if you are not on a boomer you might get to see the world!