Nothing but lip service ("Army Times" newspaper rips Bush & Republicans)

ArmyTimes.com ^ | June 30, 2003 | House editorial

[fightinJAG]

In recent months, President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress have missed no opportunity to heap richly deserved praise on the military. But talk is cheap

[Pukka Puck]

"I voted for him, but I have been largely disappointed."

Like Gore or Nader would be better.

[squidly]

Whether the article is appropriate or well written is beside the point. It underscores a disturbing trend, which is the Bush administration's ambitious use of the military yet neglect of military necessities required for this ambitious use. I hope to see the trend reverse, but it's been going on long enough to have me wondering.

[Imal]

The Army Times is basically parroting the DNC on this one, but I have noticed a general trend toward screwing over the troops in recent years.

Maybe Bush is a part of it, but the trend is older than he is. The blame more properly rests on Congress, who is more than happy to fight over base closures and military pork, while squeezing service members in a variety of penny-ante bogus ways.

I, for one, would love to see more attention being paid to proper compensation for our soldiers, sailors and airmen, and their families.

[america-rules]

Bullsh*t,

Bush gave the armed forces two huge raises last year and mine was 15% which was a $700 plus raise. There was also another grade based raise that I missed because it went in to effect just as I retired but it would have added another $400 per month to my pay.

People ned to know the facts before they go shooting their mouth off about military and pay issues.

Finally, nobody walks from the military because of pay so the article is crap !

[Eagle Eye]

As a metter of fact, I wonder if this is the sort of morale builder the troops need.

As if the troops don't notice the pay problems without the article.

These people do difficult duties often in spite of the pay, not because of it. But to get nickel and dimed like this is insulting to them.

[squidly]

"Finally, nobody walks from the military because of pay so the article is crap ! "

I know plenty of people who got out to make more money.

[marron]

I know nothing about the Army Times, but I do know that Bush had promised more money for the troops. That means more money on their checks, but it has surprised me how much of the guys' basic gear they pay for out of their own pockets. Army life isn't supposed to be a free ride to affluence, but it should be enough for a dignified existence.

As for families, anyone who is on his second enlistment, or beyond, should make enough to support his family on his basic pay. A soldier should not be working a second job outside the military to make ends meet. If that is the case, then its past time for another raise.

And I agree with the article; to roll back the hazard pay while they are still under fire is a petty slap at people who deserve better. I normally have only the nicest things to say about Bush, Rumsfeld, et al, but I have also been disappointed that more has not been done to improve basic military pay.

[america-rules]

"I know plenty of people who got out to make more money. "

That's what some will say but 98% of the time it's the lifestyle and deployemnts that take their toll.

There are exceptions like pilots getting out and making $15,000 per month flying for Fedx or UPS but this is rare.

[I got the rope]

You took words right out of my mouth. I suspect a by- product of the Clinton don't ask don't tell lib infiltration.
The good thing is that heads will roll for this garbage.

[marron]

You mention you just got out, do you know what an E4 or E5 averages on, say, his second enlistment?

[McGavin999]

Exactly so..All of you Bush bashers heed .The Army Times is NOT a friend of any Repulican Administration

The Bush bashers on this thread aren't either.

[Terp]

Similarly, the administration announced that on Oct. 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150) and family-separation allowance (from $250 to $100) for troops getting shot at in combat zones.

I'm not sure about the imminent-danger pay I don't have enough info on this but the family-seperation allowance has been a big grip of mine. If you happen to be married and your seperated from your family for over 90 days this little beanie kicks in. But if you happen to be single you never see this money. It's only for married personnel so were's the fairness in it? The single guy is still seperated from his family unless of course he's an orphan.

[Terp]

Similarly, the administration announced that on Oct. 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150)

I don't like seeing money taken away from any service member but most may not be aware of the fact that those serving in an area that is eligible for imminent danger pay makes all of your pay tax free. In other words those guys serving in the Persian Gulf region pay no taxes.

[Terp]

While Bush’s proposed 2004 defense budget would continue higher targeted raises for some ranks, he also proposed capping raises for E-1s, E-2s and O-1s at 2 percent, well below the average raise of 4.1 percent.

This practice started about 3 years ago while Clinton was in office. It was recommended as a way to keep the mid level personnel in the service not penalize the lower ranks. You notice they say the E-1s, E-2s and O-1s get a lower pay raise but that the average is 4.1 percent on average. Those who are making a career out of the military are those getting the biggest pay raises as it should be in my opinion.

[Terp]

All of which brings us to the latest indignity — Bush’s $9.2 billion military construction request for 2004, which was set a full $1.5 billion below this year’s budget on the expectation that Congress, as has become tradition in recent years, would add funding as it drafted the construction appropriations bill.

I can tell you that this money is going somewhere. And I'm willing to bet instead of it being spent on a new BOQ it's probable being moved to purchasing spare parts which is just the opposite of what was being done during the Clinton years.

[marron]

Those who are making a career out of the military are those getting the biggest pay raises as it should be in my opinion.

I agree with you, the guys on their second enlistments and beyond are the ones raising families on military pay. Any idea what a career E4 or E5 averages in salary?

[dsutah]

Well how presumptuous you are! Nobody? What made you think that most people on here agree with you, huh? You don't speak for me, or a lot of people on here! You don't fool me!

And furthermore, I like and support Bush. And if I'm a fool to support Bush; so be it! I'd rather be a 'fool' for Bush, rather than a 'fool' for any other candidate out there right now! (What in the crap has happened to you? I thought you supported him too?)

[dsutah]

Now that you mention it; my Dad(now deceased since 1971), who was in the Marine Corps got a part-time second job at nightime in D.C. He worked as an accountant with a D.C. newspaper(not "Washington Post"), but I can't remember the name of it. This was back in the mid-60's.

[dsutah]

You're right about that; it stinks to high heaven! It seems at first glance to look like the military is turning against him and Republicans. I realize not all military people may be in love with GWB, his admin., or Republicans; there were "Veterans for Gore" out there somewhere. But I do know that most of them, even those who may not have voted for him, do like him a whole lot!

[Mo1]

The Army Times is NOT a friend of any Repulican Administration

I kind of got that impression from this article