[willyone]

It is obvious that you have not been in the military for awhile. Most of our senior people now have to take a pay cut when they retire. It is no longer the old days when I took home thirty three bucks a payday. In addition many of the in demand rates get SRBs up to $45,000 for re enlisting. Not to mention the other bennies that go with military service. Most young non military families today also have a hard time making ends meet unless they have some heavy duty degrees. The military is voluntary now with no draft and everyone knows the pay when they sign up. They Navy even has civilian stores working parties for loading the ships. There is alot more in the equation than just pay. Poor money managemant is the problem I see most with those who claim to be always broke.

[cva66snipe]

It is obvious that you have not been in the military for awhile. Most of our senior people now have to take a pay cut when they retire. It is no longer the old days when I took home thirty three bucks a payday. In addition many of the in demand rates get SRBs up to $45,000 for re enlisting. Not to mention the other bennies that go with military service. Most young non military families today also have a hard time making ends meet unless they have some heavy duty degrees. The military is voluntary now with no draft and everyone knows the pay when they sign up. They Navy even has civilian stores working parties for loading the ships.

I never saw anyone retire out that didn't make more money on the hour in civilian work. As for retention bonunes being $45K? In 80 they were $15K. That puts it about the same allowing for price increases and minimum wage increases now seen. I was offered such and it still would not have made a family life comfortable even at E-5. BTW is that $45K for 4 or 6 years and taxes? At 6 years for $45k they'll keep about $5200 a year after taxes. I was in the volunteer military so I know what it means. I also saw the Navy loose a lot of good people to places like the shipyards. A job of twice the pay was offered me starting the next day that I got out of the Navy. The shipyard tried to recruit me.