I love and respect our military personnel as much as anyone, but it strikes me that what is being said here is that military pensions and benefits should be sacrosanct and not be subject to any alterations while this country deals with a massive over spending problem. We owe our combat veterans complete medical care and a pension, particularly if they have sustained injuries as a consequence of military action. At the same time, we also have tens of thousands of “retired” military personnel who put in their “20” and retired without firing a shot. A military career was their choice. they accepted what goes with following that career path with all the “hits.” To my mind, they are just another classification of “government employee,” and need to be brought into the solution process along with the rest of those in government service. Now, let the rock throwing begin!
Don’t forget, the military is a team. Just because someone may not have ever fired a shot in anger doesn’t diminish their value. What about the Soldier who supplies the beans and bullets? What about the truck drivers who drive along dangerous routes delivering necessary equipment? What about the mechanics who work on tanks, artillery, and airplanes? What about the armorers who repair and complete maintenance on airplanes, or the staff officers who devise plans to be executed?
“A military career was their choice. they accepted what goes with following that career path with all the “hits.””
Yes, and retirement factored into that decision. In my case, I would have left after 8-10 years instead of after 25. Why? So I could have time to build a new career in a different field - not a lot of employment in the civilian world for knowing how to blow people up.
Still, I’ll make this deal: I’ll cheerfully accept a 10% cut in my retirement pay IF everyone else getting a check from the government does likewise. Even 20%.
Oh...and all that comes after cutting things like NPR and welfare for illegals.
I think the military budget should be cut, but I don’t like the idea of cutting military ‘entitlements’ so that no one else takes a cut. I’ll take a hit without blinking an eye, but I don’t think the hit should be restricted to the US military.
I veiw military pensions as deferred compensation. Taking low pay for hazardous duty while in uniform. Any and all servicemembers are subject to being shot at. Just because it didn’t happen doesn’t mean they should be considered on a “lower tier” than those who were. Remember those “REMF’s” in Iraq who were killed and captured when they made a wrong turn? I’m sure they didn’t expect that. How do we justify creating another caste system in the miltary based on one’s career field?
Medical care? That’s a tough one. There are those who abuse the system, but there are also those who have been injured as direct result of their service. There are also those who may not find out for years afterward that they were affected. For example, exposure to hazardous chemicals.
An all-volunteer force comes with a price. There are enticements to encourage young people to put their lives on hold and wear a uniform. To become cannon fodder in some instances. Yet, when it comes to honor the back end of the agreement, the gov’t finds a way to back out of their end of the agreement. “It’s too expensive.” Paying vermin to sit on their asses and contribute nothing to our society is too expensive.
If we don’t want the financial obligations that come with an all-volunteer force, then it’s time to abandon it. Conscription or mandatory 2 years like the Israelis.
But you won’t get anywhere near as effective a force as the Israelis. Why? Because the vast majority of their citizens realize that they are fighting for their very survival each and every day. Here? You’re taking an 18 year old away from his Xbox. He’s gonna be pissed and he’s gonna do whatever he has to in order to get kicked out.
In closing, if, and I mean IF absolutely every dept. was being cut, that none were exempt, I wouldn’t have a problem with paying a bit more for TriCare, not getting a COLA or even taking a cut in my retirement check.
But that’s not the case. We’re being singled out for the cuts. As usual.
I don’t see myself as being “elite”, “nobility” or “special” as has been bandied about on these boards before by others who bear a certain amount of disdain for the military veteran.
We’re tired of being the ones bearing the brunt of our governments duplicity and ineptitude.
A military career was their choice. they accepted what goes with following that career path with all the “hits.”
That is absolutely correct; it’s a choice that we made. The conditions were accepted knowingly as part of military service. But it is also true that career military accepted what the government offered and promised in return for their service; namely the compensation system that is currently in place. The government uses military benefits as a recruitment tool. If fiscal realities mandate changing the retirement system, it should be for those who sign up in the future, so they can accept or reject the offered compensation. It’s immoral to promise compensation for service and then reneg. People make life choices based on the government’s guarantee. If a different system was put in place, we may well not have chosen to remain in the military. Also it’s overly simplistic to compare military duties to a typical job; the demands are far greater. Those who serve their country should not be penalized due to the government’s mismanagement. That’s nothing but a bait and switch.
Rock? I had something more akin to a tactical nuke in mind. I won’t write any else because I would surely be banned from FR for life.
“I love and respect our military personnel as much as anyone, but it strikes me that what is being said here is that military pensions and benefits should be sacrosanct and not be subject to any alterations while this country deals with a massive over spending problem.”
Considering that our military has been engaged in two wars for over a decade I think its safe to declare that pensions and benefits should be sacronsanct.
However considering that there is a budget crunch I would deem it appropriate if they were grandfather in all current service members but end the benefit for those joining past an agreed upon date.
Ok. I am a disabled vet. I bought a home this year using my income from the V.A. I got a V.A. home loan. You, the American taxpayer have backed my home loan. You want to cut my current level of pay? Only if you are ready to pick up the note on my home.
The nation made certain promises to our vets. You don’t have to like it one little bit but we kept up our end. You will do the same, or it will be like pulling teeth to get people to join the military anymore....not because of reduced bennies, but because you, the American civilian population will have shown that your word to your vets mean two things....JACK and S**T!
...To my mind, they are just another classification of “government employee...
Oh, OK.
Then you want to reply to me by FReepmail?
Weak.
To my mind, they are just another classification of “government employee,” and need to be brought into the solution process along with the rest of those in government service.
Guess what "the rest of those in government service" have that the military doesn't?
UNION representation, for the most part. Even those clowns at the TSA are protected by a union (or soon will be).
As for your reply to me by FReepmail, in my first post to you I was simply pointing out the inconsistency in these two statements in your post:
I love and respect our military personnel as much as anyone...
To my mind, they are just another classification of “government employee...
I'm rally disappointed to know that some of my fellow citizens think that way.
Enjoy your day.
So........those SEALs that died today in Afghanistan were just another form of “government employee”??? Seriously??? Do you realize how many of the military are on their 3rd, 4th, and 5th tours of the war zones right now??? Risking it all for their country? Don’t see too many government employees putting their #$$ on the line in that way. You don’t get paid for what you do, you get paid for what you may have to do. Don’t forget that.