Ericferrit
The pay rates of aircraft technicians on military contracts is as you say very poor and I think the reasons are two fold.
First the employers see the employees military pension as the employees real income and consider the wages are just a top up to the military pension. I see this as the employees military pension subsidizing the employers business.
Second most military bases are away from the high cost housing area so the low pay is more attractive because it reflects the lower cost of living.
The pay rates also reflect the fact that civil licences are not required for military aircraft ( up until now) and those who don't hold a civil engineering licence can certify these aircraft........ Those ex military people who have taken the time and effort to get civil licences have by now migrated to the high pay positions with the airlines.