Posted on 01/18/2005 7:00:06 AM PST by davidosborne
Do you really think the family can get a decent burial for $12,000?
This is ridiculous.
Maam, Are you assuming that ALL soldiers sign up for the SGLI ?
Ridiculous?
You are correct about that....we had to talk my son into taking the SGLI.....my hubby, 1sg, says the same thing about the young troops not wanting the coverage..the coverage should be mandatory and the premiums paid by the gov...IMHO
Nope.
Just like anyone else, it's their choice. The government makes inexpensive insurance available. If they choose not buy it, how is the government responsible?
Members who elect to be insured for less than the maximum amount, or elect to decline coverage entirely, must also complete form SGLV 8286, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate.
I should have read further on...you are correct. It is possible to totally decline coverage even though it is sold in $10,000 increments and costs 86cents or so per 10,000 of coverage, and the government pays the share that takes the rates down that low even in war zones and dangerous deployments.
To give the impression, however, that the military's or the government's been uncaring in the face of this evidence regarding the insurance is still propaganda.
Those same troops who'd decline to invest $8.60 a month for a joint payed plan from Congress will spend that 8.60 in one trip to the post Burger King. Their choice, but that isn't proof of the military's heartlessness.
While the SGLI is so that "JOE" can provide for his family, the Death Gratuity is for the FAMILY to put "JOE" to rest without suffering financialy.
Nobody joins the military to get rich. I'm sure you've told your recruits that. Then again, with the victims' lottery mentality permeating the country...Whether they can pay for the burial on a "paltry" $12,000 is not the issue, nor my concern. The government is kind enough to give them the $12,000 to begin with. It's up to the recruits to exercise good judgment and plan for their family in case of their death. The government is very generous to provide the SGLI insurance at such a low rate. Military spouses could get a job and have some money in savings in case of an emergency. Yes, I know, a lot of military spouses live on base rent-free and stay home to take care of the kids they weren't issued, and the extra pay they get for each kid borne just never seems to get them over the hump financially...
Thank you!
I had to be a Casualty Calls Officer once. Not fun.
The rest of my career I was the casualty reporting officer... the one who got hauled out of bed at 2:00 am to come in and send the casualty message to Hq. Also not fun.
Two problems with your post.
First, on-base housing isn't exactly rent free. The servicemember forfeits his/her housing allowance to live on base. Generally a good deal, although I wouldn't want to live in base housing.
Second, basic allowance for quarters with dependents is the same rate whether you have just a spouse or a spouse and six kids.
It's pretty stupid to not take the SGLI, especially with all the dangers the military faces daily.
Forfeits? The money's not theirs to begin with.
Military family here.....several years ago my Navy nephew died, I had to handle all the arrangements for my bro and s/i/l, they were too devastated to take care of anything...never want to go through that again and I sure don't envy your job.
Oh, good grief. You're one of THOSE.
When I joined the Army (as a PRIVATE) I went from making $35,000-$40,000 to about $12,000. I was a Self-Employed Flight Instructor, and MOST of my paycheck went to make the payment on my airplane while a friend tried to sell it for me. I joined because it was the "RIGHT" thing to do, not for the money. I still took the SGLI, but I must say I considered waiving it until I sold the plane, money was very tight even though I lived in the barracks and ate in the chow hall.
$100,000 - not close to enough. I'd like to make it a million with ya Mojo and then pray that no one ever has to take it...
The one I had was an 18-y/o kid on a motorcycle, with his pregnant 18-y/o wife on the back. She and the baby were okay, but the family finally had to pull the plug on him.
That was brutal.
The pilot in question was counseled several times in the states before being deployed...the 1sg(HUbby) counseled him again in Kuwait before moving north into Iraq...he just didn't want it..they made him sign off on forms that he denied coverage in case the worst happened(which it did).
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