Just an FYI, soldiers are paid from the federal tax dollars. Sales tax is a state and local issue. It's used to pave local roads, run the local jail, pay the police officers, teachers, etc.
Five states have opted not to have a sales tax at all. AK, MT, OR, NH and DE. They fund these thing with property taxes and state income taxes. Except for AK and NH which also do not have a state income tax. FL, NV, SD, TX, WA, WY and TN also do not have State income tax. *note* for correctness NH and TN do have income tax on investments and dividend.
Useless trivia information from SD. You should pick your retirement state carefully.