I could not agree with you more. How anyone can criticize a single one of these brave souls, or anything that they do, is beyond me. They deserve our undying gratitude and support.
What needs to be done to get these guys more money? The pay scale seems to be absolutely terrible for what they do.
I for one would be willing to pay more taxes for these guys to get more money.
Actually, what we need to do is cut the salaries of our congress-critters and re-channel that money to pay our Armed Forces. In particular, the senate is loaded with multi-millionaires. Why should they get salaries at all?
"What needs to be done to get these guys more money? The pay scale seems to be absolutely terrible for what they do.
I for one would be willing to pay more taxes for these guys to get more money."
Glad you realize what the deal is. It is a difficult subject to discuss within a few paragraphs. But do be aware, that those that are serving in combat zones, do receive a monthly bonus. As an example a Lance Corporal (junior grade Corporal in the Marine Corps.) are receiving about $600/month above their normal pay rate. The pay rate for this rank is about 15K a year if my memory serves me correct. It is not easy to get pay increases for our men and women when you have guys like Big John Kerry on the public record making it clear that if we did not go into Iraq, we could have spent the 78 billion on social programs.
I know it goes off the subject a bit, but it should be clear to all, that if he really cared about our military, he should have said if anything, hey if we did not go to Iraq, we could now be spending the requested 78 billion on pay increases and supplement help to our military families.
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2004 – The president's proposed fiscal 2005 budget boosts defense spending to continue the war on terror, providing another pay raise for troops and increasing homeland security spending.
"We will devote the resources necessary to win the war on terror and protect our homeland," President Bush said Jan. 31 during his weekly radio address to the nation.
With U.S. forces deployed worldwide in the fight against terrorism, Bush noted his proposed budget boosts defense spending by 7 percent, with money earmarked for equipment, ammunition and troop housing.
"We'll keep our military strong and ready for every challenge that may come," the commander in chief vowed.
Bush observed that military pay has increased 21 percent since he took office. He said his proposed fiscal 2005 budget contains funding to increase service members' pay by another 3.5 percent next year.
"Our troops put their lives on the line to defend America," Bush pointed out, "and we owe them our best in return."
Bush said his proposed budget "nearly triples homeland security spending over 2001 levels, including an increase of nearly 10 percent next year, to $30.5 billion." This money, he explained, would be used to improve security at borders, airports and seaports, and to better prepare the U.S. against biological attack.
The president said his proposed fiscal 2005 budget also contains money to boost the FBI's budget by 11 percent, and a $357-million increase in counterterrorism activities.
"America will not let its guard down in our war on terror," Bush concluded.