Bull! It’s all about retention. Forget the emotions.
Listen. This is a missive but everyone should be aware of these truths!!! Read on...
The military cannot run on just 18-22 year olds. It NEEDS seasoned leadership and people with more than apprentice and journeyman skills in many areas. So it “recruits” within its own ranks, to keep certain officers and NCOs in service beyond their enlistments with financial and other incentives.
On the other hand, the military lifestyle, especially during tense international times, whether full scale global war or small guerilla conflicts, is hard and sometimes even risky to the living. Because thinking men would chose to avoid death (in most cases) they sometimes need to be forced to do things that they wouldn’t do on their own, and the military has orders and punishments for not following them far more draconian than civilian life. It is what it is, and not for everyone.
Even those who may enjoy it at first will eventually get tired of it, and certainly not re-enlisting after 4 honorable years of service has no shame, and those who do so are still veterans and can be proud of their service.
Still, the military NEEDS some to stay in longer, to train others, to care for the younger, less experienced, to give orders, those whose knowledge and experiences grow over the years that the military cannot do without.
Because doing without has costs! Huge costs. There are FAR more civilian contractors than ever working for the military. But you cannot order them to do something that they think will get them killed, and you have to pay them a LOT!
Another thing almost no one considers: What is the cost of losing? I mean losing a war, having your country occupied, your people killed, enslaved, your stuff destroyed—homes, factories, cities.
The US military has been blessed with the ability to win almost all of their wars. No one can say what the exact formula was for each victory, but there is a constant. A superior to almost any other nation’s NCO corps, the encouragement of smart, innovative officers, and robust, skilled civilian workforce to draw men from.
You cannot have a superior NCO corps from 18-22 year olds. You have to have people re-enlist and move up the ranks to keep them in for 20+ years. However, the retirement that is allowed at the 20-30 year mark means senior ranks will always need to be filled, which keeps promotions keep coming. You only give promotions to those who continue to excel and you develop a positive feedback system by always having the best rise up through the ranks, further strengthening the NCO corps, which is vitally important to being a successful military (meaning one which wins, cause one loss and you are screwed!). Moreover, to push people up through the ranks, the military has requirements to either make a certain rank or be forced out—without retirement, that is; nothing. Not even a gold watch.
Many, many years ago, I enlisted because I was tired of school, wanted an adventure, and liked the idea of a physical and mental challenge. I was 18.
After 3 years, I was invited to reenlist. I used to say I would NEVER be a lifer. I dreamt about getting out and starting a career and then getting money—the full American dream.
They made me promises. The retirement at 20 was a HUGE one. So was FREE medical care for LIFE. But you know what did it? Getting to go overseas and a promotion. And while I never told anyone, I was still having a blast.
But I never thought the promises made to me were falsehoods or lies. I believed them. I still do. The government made a promise to me in writing: If I would stay in, reenlisting every four years, and I kept up my integrity, behavior and performance, they would promote me, and I would, if I could keep going for at least 20 years, they would allow me to retire and collect at last half my base pay for the rest of my life.
It was a contract. But It wasn’t all in my favor. The government got the better days of my life, during a time when I could have been out amongst making my fortune, getting far more financial compensation during all those years. I completely fulfilled my end of the contract; every T crossed, every i dotted. I expect the government to keep its promise in the same manner.
So, my final line on this is you renege on the deal and can keep my money, but give me my twenty-two years back!
Ditto what you said!
I would also like to add,
After my husband’s 20 will the government give back:
My husband’s good, healthy back?
My son’s missed time with his loving father?
My tears shed on the countless docks saying goodbye?
My time spent worrying, crying, hand wringing and praying for his his safety and return?
This list is endless. Paul Ryan can go to hell for all I care. This includes any politician who thought this broken deal was necessary.