Little Pay, Little Thanks....

[100%Disney]

The average man and woman in the service makes less per year than most in the US. So, why do it? They are in the military because the love our country and they have a sense of pride that alot of people can't or won't understand. My Step-dad is in the Army, has been for all his adult life, he loves this country, he wants to see us protected from terrorists. My Mom says that she stands behind young military wives at the commissary every week that have to use food stamps to pay for their food. What a tragesty of justice, despite what most people want to think, Clinton cut our military to the core during his administration, I admire President Bush for trying to fix things. He gave the military a pay raise, not as much as they deserved, but it's a start. I'm sure people that aren't in the military or don't have a friend or loved one who is in the military can't understand, the people that are fighting this war aren't statistics. Each casualty has a name and a family who will never see them again. And every soldier that goes to war knows that they may not return. We pay our actors and sports celebrities millions, but our soldiers, our firemen, our police officers barely get by on what they earn. What a shame. GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Buckalew]

I totally agree. As a nation, our priorities are totally screwed up!

 

[jamsmom]

Well said. Both of you

 

[off2disney]

I just found out that one of the first casualties of the war (Marine Lt. Shane Childers) grew up and went to school not far from where we live. He was good friends with one of my daughters' friends. They lived north of Gulfport, Mississippi and had been stationed here when his father was in the service.

My daughter's friend said she hadn't talked to Shane in a while, but that he believed in and was proud of what he was doing. My heart goes out to his family. Let's pray that this war ends quickly and successfully, so that these brave young men and women who are fighting and the ones who have paid the ultimate price will not have died in vain.

 

[AirForceRocks]

While I certainly won't turn down payraises, I think people underestimate the amount of money that military members are paid. Is it enough for the risks that are taken when deployed? Of course not, but then really there isn't enough money for that kind of risk, is there?

Yes, President Bush gave us a good payraise, but we also received very good payraises under President Clinton, as well as the implementation of a new policy that raises the amount of money paid for those that live off base (tax free dollars, BTW).

As for the foodstamp issue, I think if people look into it, they will see that many military foodstamp recipients are eligible because of the size of their families. They simply have bigger families than their pay can support without help.

And let's not forget the benefits. Commissary privileges account for approximately 29% in savings over shopping at civilian grocery stores, and most major items can be purchased for less money (and no tax) at base/post exchanges.

Even though our medical benefits have gone down, we still have a pretty good deal. We don't pay insurance premiums, and we have low co-pays when we seek medical care off base.

And let's not forget the retirement benefits. 50% pay after 20 years of service is not a bad deal - my DH will retire at 38 and receive a monthly check for the rest of his life. When I retire at 45, I'll have the same deal. How many civilian companies offer a deal like that?

Sure, things could be better, but I'm of the opinion that just looking at a paychart doesn't give a complete picture of military compensation.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I agree AFR, there are lots of perks. Granted, DH was an Officer(still is in reserves) and did make decent money, but perks add up too. Our housing, whether we rented or bought was almost always covered by housing allowance. Medical benefits, and all the tax free perks were great too. When we lived overseas it seems we had lots of money sitting around. So much additional pay he received. His reserve pay for his one weekend a month is pretty good now. But, I point out to him when he starts reminiscing, that when he was working 24/7 during the Gulf War and all the other training exercises-it did not seem like enough for what he was doing. And, if I had chose to work, it would have been difficult since we moved so often. Still, the desire to serve his country outweighed all else.