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.
Yay. Let's join the Romney and Burr boys up ASAP. Does Charlie Schumer have any sons?
Yay. Let's join the Romney and Burr boys up ASAP. Does Charlie Schumer have any sons?
Yay. Let's join the Romney and Burr boys up ASAP. Does Charlie Schumer have any sons?
I agree with you except on departmental cuts. I don’t see why the myriad of programs that are clearly noncritical (Department of Education, Peace Corps, Job Corps, etc.) are not eliminated first. How much exactly does Tricare for retirees cost? How much do they expect to save by adjusting it.