"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.
The likes of John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, and the other super-rich Dems would scream like stuck pigs if we tried to pay the folks in our Armed Forces what they're really worth. Yet not of those "honorable" senators ever consider not taking their salaries and pensions, which they don't need.