I would like to see the American military patterned more on the Legion in regards to pay, and the warrior climate and ethic.
Our young enlisted should be single men who only get paid enough to live a soldier’s life for the first couple of years, the wife, families, and good pay can come after reenlistment, or attaining Corporal rank, or since this is America, something close to that goal.
We do not need the first 2 years of enlistment ranks filled with overpaid privates, husbands, single moms, wives and mothers, needing family housing, daycare, pay add-ons, separate rations etc., gynecologists, pediatricians and all the other stuff.
ansel12:
You described exactly what it was like when I first enlisted. I believe my first pay, by the month, was about $65.00 and out of that had to come hair cuts, shaving stuff, shoe polish etc. The barracks were open bay with rows of bunk beds, each man had a narrow wall locker and a foot locker. Latrines had a row of toilets with no privacy dividers. You needed a pass to get off post. If you wanted a car you pooled your money with one or two others to buy an old used car. If you wanted to get married, you needed permission from the CO. You were treated like a second class worm.
Todays American would not tolerate such “abuse”.
In Vietnam there was more freedom and respect for all, which is why I think so many volunteered for extensions. Of note we kept loaded M-14’s with us at all times, at night either beside us or in a wall locker. This contrasts today’s army in that I’ve read Afghan soldiers are not always permitted ammunition, which is stupid beyond belief.