Subject: Military Paid too much?

[JChlupsa]

Actually you DO NOT get Vet Perferance if you retire with 20 or more years UNLESS you get a Medical /retirement/discharge and that has to be Rated by the VA with a 30% disablilty or more to make you a 10 Point Vet. And its not as easy as you think to get a job with Uncle Sam and how its downsizing left and right

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think this will ever end.

[/ QUOTE ]

Condi Rice (Secretary of State) said yesterday that "diplomacy has limits" with regard to Iran and it's nuclear ambitions. I sure as heck don't want Iran to have nukes but you should realize what the remedy is and it isn't talk, as Ms. Rice implied. We're gonna' have to go in there and stop them from developing the bomb. There's always a slight chance that the Iranians will halt their nuclear program but I wouldn't count on it. The Iranians know full well that with nukes they are safe from invasion so any military action to stop them will have to be soon, like within the next year or two. American military involvement in the Middle East probably won't go on forever, but it's definately gonna' go on for several more years.

[bilede]

Another perk here in AZ is when you retire and are getting your pension from military you can work for the state or local government and use your military time as time worked in the retirement system and buy into full retirement very quickly which allows "double dipping". lets face it, there are perks and severe risks with military life. to each his own. if you can get people to go for the amount you are paying I think you are paying enough. if not, raise the pay.. supply and demand is a good thing.

[Seattle Sam]

Whitetop, you are correct to point out the additional benefits over base pay. Where I have seen serious problem is with reservists, who often are leaving behind a family and a full set of bills along with their civilian paycheck. It can be a real hardship to cover all expenses while called up on active duty.

It's not a perfect world, they did volunteer, but it can be very tough for them.

Sam, my best wishes and Godspeed to your son, I know you will be praying everyday for his safe return - I pray that your prayers are answered and all ends well for you and your family.

-Sam

[whitetop]

I want to clarify what i said about preferential job hiring. Just read a report several months back that many companies prefer hiring veterns/ex military because they are more loyal, more disciplined and usually most important drug free. That is a fact.

Also there is preferential hiring of veterns for gov't jobs. That is a fact.

Some may take may first post as slamming the military. It was not. My neighbor who also happens to be a childhood friend has been a helicopter mechanic for the army since 1978 and is a sargent-not sure what level. He comes home about 3-4 times per year. He owns his own home or rents a very nice home wherever he has been stationed, has two kids in college and lives very comfortably on his army pay. he also said he has so many job offers in the private sector doing what he does he will never be able to go through all of them. He has never complained about having to get food stamps etc because of his army pay. Yes there are military families on food stamps but so are civilians.

I also have a friend who joined the air force back in '80. He has been out of the military for 4 years and works for Delta now. he has nothing but praise for the military and the schooling/techincal opportunities it gave him.

I guess I always remember the line "it's not what you say but what you do not you say" regarding mike braggs letter.

Dave I deleted your last line feeling though most likely made in fun, this is not the place for this line. Jeff

[Salvatore]

Thank you Sam. I have 4 sons and he is our second.

[Xplantdad]

SC69Sam,

How is your transplanted son doing? Hope all is going well. My daughter is also doing well, no rejection episodes(thank God)

[71SSNova]

Spent 6- 1/2 years in the Navy, here's my pay
1974 - $4,486 bought a 70 Nova SS for $1250.
1975 - $4,682
1976 - $5,657 got married in July so I received more pay for a family
Discharged Sept 1977 - $6,618 last 4 months was a factory job
July 1978 went back in Navy so first six months was factory pay - $10,587
1979 - $7,671
1980 - $8,801
Discharged April - 1981 - $4,037 Reagan admin boosted pay $200 a month, I thought it was great.
Yes, I got free medical for myself and family when I was married. When I was on shore duty for the two years July '78 to July '80, we lived in military housing which was a three bedroom house and utilities for about $250 month. Do the math and take $3k from my pay for those 2 years, not much to live on. And when I went back on a ship, my family moved back home to Ohio where the wife paid rent and utilities like everyone else.
I don't care whether the liberals or conservatives are in charge, MILITARY PAY SUCKS , always has and always will.
For these idiots that think the military earns too much, wonder why they don't join to make those big figures?

Why did I do it, because I love the country I live in and the freedom I have. I've been around the world and I did not see one place I would prefer to live in. I'd like to see some more of the world but I'll always come home to the USA to live.

And I would serve again in a heartbeat!!!

I thank every veteran that has served for giving us a great country to live in.
GOD BLESS THE USA