Army pay

[herd]

They need to make it so you can't retire after 20 years, it should be the same retirement age as everyone else, 67 these days.

Should be equal for all, and I'm sure 99.9% of people went into the military because of a draft in the old days or because they want to, not serving anyone. They do it today because they want a job.

I think the whole serving thing is a very good marketing gimmick by the military.

Man, you're way out there on this one, first of all, there is no common retirement age as it varies by employer, whether gov't or private sector. The age you referred to, 67, I assume is the Full Retirement Age (FRA) for Social Security, and that never was intended to be a full-blown retirement, just a retirement supplemental.

I was a thriple volunteer, volunteered for the Army, for Airborne Infantry, and for service in Viet Nam. This was at a time when many, many were doing all they could to avoid Viet Nam service, or any service for that matter. Many got college deferments, joined the Guard, faked health problems, or went to Canada. This was also at a time of rebellion in our great Country. Many people took to the streets in riots, some riots were very violent. When 500,000 take to the streets, as in Chicago '69, you have more than a riot, you have a revolution.

I returned home from Nam on the Sunday after the Kent State riot in '70, where a number of students were killed. One year later, my stateside unit, the 82d Airborne, was deployed to D.C. to help contain the infamous "May Day Riot" of 1971. This riot was staged by "Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) and potentially pitted a uniformed Nam veteran like myself against former uniformed civilian Veterans of Vietnam. WEe entered D.C. in full combat gear and Squad Leaders were issue live ammo. Fortunately, the riot fizzled and very little harm was done.

It was a crazy time. And, our Country survived and as history revealed, our efforts in Viet Nam did eventually contribute to the decline and spread of Communism. I admire today's men and women of uniform, I don't know the exact number but, it's probably only 5% of our youth and only maybe .25% that serve in the Infantry. For their sacrifices while young, they should and do get rewards later in life and none should be jealous of that: afterall, the longer you live and older you get, the more you will realize that life really is all about choices, and expecially choices one makes when young.

My Dad and three of his brothers served, Dad in the Phillipines, his brother in the Pacific Naval fleet and the other two brothers in the Korean War. My wife Dad, and two of his brothers served in WWII, he in the European Threatre, one brother in Army Air Corps, and his older brother was at Pearl Harbor, USS Minneapolis.

We are proud of our military heritage and service and even more proud of our men and women serving today. It is because of them that we enjoy the most freedoms of all countries and as a taxpayer, I've no problem with financing their duly earned post-military benefits.

As today is Christmas, I can't help but to recall where I was on Christmas Day 1969, and at my dinner table, will be an empty plate and chair in honor of those today who are away from their families on this most special day.

God bless our Military!

 

[tommu56]

One of the things that I've been thinking is that we should change the pay scale and benifits for member of congress to that of the military. Give a senator the rank of a general and a member of the house a rank of a colonel and pay them accordingly. They would also get the same amount of staff as those ranks receive, and the same benifits and perks. Best of all, put them on the military medical plan. After 20 years, they get half their pay in retirment and if they serve 30 years, give them 75% of their pay just like the military does it.

That alone would save the country a bunch of money, and make the govenrment more likely to take care of the military becasue it would be helping them out too.

Eddie

That sounds like a good plan,

The thing that irked me was all the stuff my son had to pay for when he was in!
For example he wanted extra BDU's laundry it could be only sent out once a week and back the next week so he had to buy extra sets. so he didn't have to wear the same clothing for 3 or 4 days and having to pay for meals at some bases (they are given an allowance) for what they are putting on the line and for the pay it is redicoulious.

tom

 

[brin]

I am a Veteran and I think the point some here are trying to make with all due respect and appreciation to our men and women in uniform is with our economy like it is and our country now in financial difficulties we may well not be able to be the worlds policemen anymore . It may just be time to pull back and realize we are sacrificing too many of our kids for folks in other countries who do not appreciate our intervention in their internal affairs, much like we would not tolerate an occupying force in our country.

Do you not think it may be time to bring all of our young , brave warriors home along with our assets overseas and put the rest of the world on notice that we will defend ourselves in an unmerciful way against any aggressor but will always stand ready to help any nation requesting our assistance. Could it not be that terrorists use our intervention in other countries as a recruiting tool to attract terrorists to attack us ?

Maybe it is time for us to consider the draft again and require 2 yrs. of service at a reduced pay rate . Marriage and a family should be delayed until after the military obligation is completed and that would eliminate much of the hardship and the necessity of the taxpayers trying to support families of those who serve. Maintain the GI benefit package so that after serving the soldier receives their education and other benefits as payment for their service..

Things change and we have to change with them or change them, but for now our manufacturing base has been shipped overseas and the unemployment rate reflects the serious financial problems our nation faces...Just a thought .