Posted on 10/26/2006 12:14:23 PM PDT by Tulsa Ramjet
The 2.2 across-the-board military pay raise in January is a joke. So is the 8.7 percent raise set for 125 generals and admirals. How about reversing it?
Officers do not need the bigger raise. It’s the enlisted ranks who have people on food stamps and receiving assistance from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. With the price of gas and everything else higher, a 2.2 pay raise is a slap in the face.
It’s also a travesty what else our politicians did to the 2007 defense authorization bill. They basically screwed disabled retirees rated “IU,” or unemployable, by refusing to make them eligible immediately for “concurrent receipt” payments [of both full retired pay and their VA compensation].
Maybe America needs to evaluate what these politicians have as perks, benefits and pay so more of that money goes to the people actually fighting and dying for their mistakes.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
In many cases, it's required. I've heard tell, cough cough, that many contracting companies and military units turn a blind eye to contractors who pack. This isn't always a good idea, as there are plenty of people who probably shouldn't be armed.
In fact, I have a, uh, friend, who was once pulled over on the side of the road in the Sunni Triangle. The team moved out and pulled security, which prompted the contractor to move out as well. So there you have this team of stone cold killers, loaded for bear and in a close security posture, and a guy in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt, wielding a rusty 9mm, and posed dramatically in a half crouch like he's James Bond. My, uh, buddy, yelled, "What are you doing?!?" from the turret, and the contractor replied, "Helping". The reply was something to the effect that you look ridiculous, and to get your ass back in the humvee.
Ahhh, part of their pay is the breathing checks they receive after retirement. LCol retirement is worth about a $2.0M annuity return.
c'mon...the most expendable...let's see..... communication/medic/language/automatic weapon/demolition/HAHO/SCUBA/recon/support....hmmmmmm..... I guess you're tight.
So what are we supposed to pay our civil servants? Of course nobody cares about the contractors either (the ones that provide continuity when the military personel rotates out everyother year).
"Of course nobody cares about the contractors either'
If you'd be so kind as to post what the contractors make, we can determine if we should care about their compensation.
An E-4 is an NCO
"Not really. What's obscene is that a 19 year-old E-3 thinks he'll earn enough money in the early days of military service to pay for having a wife and possibly children. It doesn't work that way."
Even worse when the 19 year old (or 39) year old is a single mom with a pack of kids.
Armed insurrection is a serious business and not something I would undertake lightly and certainly not on my own.
I'm also not much of an organizer so I don't see where I would be very effective at trying to put together some type of tax rebellion with popular support.
So I guess I'm looking for ideas...put the dare out there and see who emerges as the leaders along with their ideas about how to rectify this disparity.
Are you rising to the challenge??
With an up-or-out promotion system, any retirement income is pie-in-the-sky until you're actually getting it. It doesn't matter to a captain how much he'll make as a retired L/C if he can't count on retiring.
"So there you have this team of stone cold killers, loaded for bear and in a close security posture, and a guy in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt, wielding a rusty 9mm,"
There's a movie in there somewhere.
"what is a "fair" salary for these individuals"
But they get someone to carry their tennis racket while wearing a gold braid.
That's an easy, mindless cheap shot.
"That's an easy, mindless cheap shot."
I'm famous for them. Actually, most responses are usually:
"astute, great clarity". It brought you out.
who do you think is paying the price in your local newspapers, friend? And who is on food stamps? the CNO? the Combatant Commanders? Puhleez.
Bottom line is to review the overall pay structures and see if the raises are in line over the past couple of decades. Frankly, I would like to see a law that states, "Any Congressional leader that votes for war, all their able-bodied children from 18-42 will be drafted, regardless of what they ared doing. War is fine, but it ain't pretty, and it isn't Risk. Pay the troops for what they are worth. Or don't send them to nation-build.
I had a CO who used to tell everyone "don't wait for Congress to give you a pay raise, study and advance".
One thing overlooked in this thread is that all we are talking about here is base pay. Everyone in the military, especially the higher ranks, makes a good chunk of change in allowances (untaxed by the way), special pays and for flag officers, just plain perks. They're comfortably compensated.
Thanks for posting the article.
My husband is active duty military -- it is his career -- and he has been in the service since he was 17 years old. He loves what he does, and feels it is what God has called him to do. I am proud and privileged to be a supportive, prayerful military wife. Military life is a life of service, a life of sacrifice, a life of substance.
On the afternoon and evening of 9-11-01, my husband was patrolling the San Francisco Bay Area in his F-16, praying for our country and keeping us safe... while the rest of us watched CNN in stunned silence.
He has served in Europe.
He has served in South America.
And he has served in the Middle East ... flying over Iraq.
We pray daily for our troops, those who support them, those who lead them, and those who fund them. We know that the Lord God Almighty hears our prayers... and we pray that those in power act fairly and equitably.
We will accept the 2.2% raise in Base Pay when it comes in January, grateful as always that the Lord provides to meet our needs. Would a larger raise have been nice? Of course. Will the lack thereof make my husband give up his calling?
Never.
I think a pay raise of 2.2% is an insult. Social security recipients and military and civil service retirees are getting 3.3% next year, which is supposed to keep up with inflation.
So the average troops are being told, "Go to Iraq and dodge IEDs while you wife and kids back home get poorer." And the President who sent him there is the one who proposed this disgraceful number. I'm usually a fan of the President, but I don't understand the thinking on this one.
Never.
I know the type. A good friend who is currently, who knows where,as a SEAL told me a couple of years ago that if he had to he'd do it for nothing.
He loves what he does and says that he gets to play with all the newest toys and is loving life. He was married for a short time but the guy is one of the types of fellers that is a blast to have around..... except if you were married to him.
I think it would be really hard for us land lovers to understand the feeling of strapping a jet on and flying around with the skill, training and weaponry to be the deadliest thing in the sky.
I hope your husband has plenty of targets and returns to you safe and sound. God Bless him and you for your support of him.
I think a pay raise of 2.2% is an insult. Social security recipients and military and civil service retirees are getting 3.3% next year, which is supposed to keep up with inflation.
Damn RIGHT!
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