Pentagon Would Raise Military Death Pay

AP ^ | January 31, 2005 | ROBERT BURNS

[msnimje]

"death gratuity,"

What an unfortunate name for this payment.

[Jay777]

Beat me by two minutes....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1332874/posts

[LittleJohnnyEdwards]

I hope we also give money to all the fallen heroes family also.

[stopem]

Wonder if he will talk about this at the State of the Union address. I am looking forward to the SOU address.

[kellynla]

Marine Bump!

[Jay777]

Air Force Bump!

[mystery-ak]

fyi

[Snickersnee]

Gadzooks! There is an upper limit to this, you know.... there's an area where dat ol' debbil Law of Unintended Consequences kicks in.

[TexKat]

Bump

[Wristpin]

"The $100,000 would apply only in cases where the service member died in a war zone as designated by the secretary of defense. Thus a soldier killed in a training accident in the United States would get the current $12,420, Chu said. Some in Congress have proposed paying an increased gratuity for all deaths."

So when an H-46 goes with 14 Marines down off the coast of California we only give their families 12K? What about the Sailor blown off the Flight Deck in the Med?

I hope everyone remembers many jobs are dangerous even in peacetime. There were 8700 active duty deaths during the Clinton Administration.

[Mopp4]

Glad to see this happening. I could never understand a paltry $12,500 to the familes for the ultimate sacrifice defending this country and the 9-11 families received millions because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Who dat?]

Gadzooks! There is an upper limit to this, you know.... there's an area where dat ol' debbil Law of Unintended Consequences kicks in.

No kidding. The Goof Squad is getting snookered again and they don’t even realize it.

[chief911]

This isn't the same as the SGLI insurance offered to all servicemen. This payment is intended to bridge the gap from death of the menber until receipt of the SGLI payment. Does it take $100,000 to get by until the $250,000 (max) arrives? Some younger members may opt out of the life insurance to save money (even though its only about $18 a month), but should taxpayers have to pay for this bad decision? Before the flamethrowers start up, I'm active duty navy,and have been since 1985.

[Publius Scipio]

but should taxpayers have to pay for this bad decision?

I have no problem with it.

[xone]

Not sure I understand you, the proposed $100K goes where the $12500 death gratuity goes now to the spouse or designated surviving family member.

[chief911]

No problem with what? No personal responsibility?

[chief911]

That's what happens. Then the family gets the $250,000 SGLI.

[Publius Scipio]

I have problem with the payment. It's a pittance. Personal responsiblity has nothing to do with it. Quite frankly it's least we can do.

Save your response. I'm not interested in wasting further time on you.