I'm enlisted, and even though this may not apply, I was always told ( in the air force) if you want to have a family and be able to get by, you need at least 2 stripes for yourself, and an additional stripe for each dependent. Remember, this is on a very tight budget. No frills. No BMW in the Driveway, Base Housing.
Here's how that theory breaks down:
E-1-------No Wife, No Children
E-2-------No Wife, No Children
E-3-------Married, No Children
E-4-------Married, 1 Child
E-5-------Married, 2 Children
E-6-------Married, 3 Children
E-7-------Married, 4 Children
E-8-------Married, 5 Children----- YOU MIGHT BE CRAZY
E-9-------Married, 6 Children
O-1-------Married, 7 Children
O-2-------Married, 8 Children----- TIME FOR A SECTION 8?
O-3-------Married, 9 Children
O-4-------Married, 10 Children
O-5-------Married, 11 Children
O-6-------Married, 12 Children
O-7-------Married, 13 Children----- WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!
O-8-------Married, 14 Children
O-9-------Married, 15 Children
O-10------Married, 16 Children