Sort of. Sort of a rant follows. . .
There are many people that are disabled and can still work. . .and do, military or not.
After a career flying fighters I have degenerative spine problems traced to high-G environment. . .as my neck problems are too. Can’t fly anymore but can do some very fine desk work.
I took my knowledge, credibility and experience in the military and worked for a contractor for good pay. . .AND I didn’t have to move every few years or get shot at (bonus).
Of course, if people object to former military using their insight, knowledge, skills and abilities to be employed by a contractor, then the only other option is to have civilians with no military experience or knowledge making decisions on hardware and such, and those decisions are not in this nations best interests. Former military have friends and sometimes family, in the field. We take that seriously.
I had a program with the contractor I worked for but I knew it was not the “best” product. When I engaged the customer (military user) I would present my product and they knew me well enough that they could pick up on the second-tier status of the product. Conversely, if I was adamant about the product, the customer knew I knew what I was talking about and listened.
The worst people I saw working for contractors were civilian all the way. . .dedicated to the sale not the user/military. That went against everything we former military held dear.
Many, like me, earned our “tax free” benefit. We spent a career on the line and doing the job, which requires most times putting family behind the mission. That is why they call it “service.” “Service before Self” is more than a motto.
Most VA pay is earned. Some scammers? Yup. Just like any system—subject to abuse.
Nobody is saying that qualified folks, no matter what their background, shouldn’t work for contractors.
However, if they are paid extra because they claim a disability, get a retirement check from the military, and get medical for life - then where is the disability?
Lots of people work hard jobs, wear their bodies out and can’t do the things they used to be able to do. They are not entitled to disability as long as they can do something else to make a living.
why wouldn’t the same apply to military fractionally disabled?
I was in the military, I know the game. I’ve known plenty of “disabled” military retirees working in and out of contractor and even in private sector. Military disability pay for fractionally disabled folks that are also gainfully employed is ridiculous.
Hey, it’s an entitlement, lots of people get it - some even legitimately under the rules, a lot are scammers (you say most are not - neither of us can know the true numbers) - but let’s be clear, we’re broke. The borrowing binge of the last 30 years allowed a lot of this to exist, but we’re done with that. A lot of federal benefits, retirement packages and other entitlements are likely to fall under the axe.
That’s what happens when a broke society finally stops pretending it isn’t broke.
we just haven’t yet had to stop pretending.