RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,145521,00.html
This is a failed mercenary policy. If we are paying that kind of money, lets go to Russia or China and pick up some proven mercenaries who know to rape, pillage, and plunder.

It is not worthwhile paying that kind of money for untrained kids to be cannon fodder.

Let us open the draft and allow the patriotic younsters respond to the call of their country !

Either that or shut down the unnecessary war that is killing our trained manpower for egomanic reasons.

I have done 13 years in the navy and voluntered to go blue to green. Guess what, the US Army doesn't want 13 year navy veterans in their serivce. Beggers can be chosers I guess.

Well we need to do something. We can NOT loose that strong hold we have in the middle east. We now have bases there and we need to keep them there as long as possible. These young people we have in the military now need some releif. If this helps I'm for it.

I do beleive Iraq wants us there, and we should be there. But it will take about 10 years to see a difference. And we will, it's worth all what we are doing.

I just hope with the second chance we as a nation our giving these questionable young people. That they now do somethng good for them self and country. We do have the BEST country in the world.

Most of these young people now I would not give a plug nickel for. So I think we should bring these people in. Lets do what there parents should of done for them. Teach them to be good people and not free loaders.

I think you all know how I stand by now.

Pretty sad commentary - it is a shame that our young people do not show the patriotism of their elders. I guess, with few exceptions, our executive, legislative, and judicial leaders of government have not really set an example for our future leaders - it appears that military service is no longer a prerequisite to leadership. Shades of the Roman Empire - hire mercenaries to do your bidding.

I signed up and attended basic training for the army pre/9-11 i did it for love of country and pride in myself. not for a bonus, however if its helps bolster our numbers i'm all for it. for boot camp can take a punk off the streets and turn him or her into a decent citzen.

This reminds me of somthing my uncle used to tell me and my brother growing up "I believe that every young man should serve time in the military or jail, one way or another he would learn somthing"


Proud OIF I vet from a long line of veterans

Irene Fiala, a sociology professor at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania who has researched recruiting trends, said the military is attempting to change with society because the days are over when it was an American virtue to join and it was expected that all young men would do so.

Bring back those days and no power on earth could screw with us for long. The main problem is that half the country is inhabited by spoiled kids and the other half is kids who owe allegiance to other countries and could care less about ours.

The military is creating mercs. Unreal.

quote:

Creating a more pleasant boot camp environment.

WTF!! Just reading through that whole list it appears the military is going to pay a lot of money to get what will be in the long run, a substandard military. If the military is this bad off time to bring back the "draft".

OneThreeMarine is 100% correct in his assessment. We are indeed on the brink of creating a Mercenary Army. Our Armed Forces are being decimated by incompetent Military Leadership, a Congress that represents K-Street, and an Executive Branch that Jimmy Breslin would be proud of..."The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight"! This is a really sad and pathetic commentary on the state of our Armed Forces and more importantly on the the state of our Nation. We need to bring back Universal Service, with no deferments, and most importantly, like many Democratic Governments around the world, have a vote of No Confidence In Our Current Politicians and move the 08 Elections to November 07!!

stewamart
Basic Training
Posted Fri 10 August 2007 04:44 AM Hide Post
OneThreeMarine is 100% correct in his assessment. We are indeed on the brink of creating a Mercenary Army. Our Armed Forces are being decimated by incompetent Military Leadership, a Congress that represents K-Street, and an Executive Branch that Jimmy Breslin would be proud of..."The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight"! This is a really sad and pathetic commentary on the state of our Armed Forces and more importantly on the the state of our Nation. We need to bring back Universal Service, with no deferments, and most importantly, like many Democratic Governments around the world, have a vote of No Confidence In Our Current Politicians and move the 08 Elections to November 07!!


stewamart
Basic Training
Posted Fri 10 August 2007 04:44 AM Hide Post
OneThreeMarine is 100% correct in his assessment. We are indeed on the brink of creating a Mercenary Army. Our Armed Forces are being decimated by incompetent Military Leadership, a Congress that represents K-Street, and an Executive Branch that Jimmy Breslin would be proud of..."The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight"! This is a really sad and pathetic commentary on the state of our Armed Forces and more importantly on the the state of our Nation. We need to bring back Universal Service, with no deferments, and most importantly, like many Democratic Governments around the world, have a vote of No Confidence In Our Current Politicians and move the 08 Elections to November 07!!

stewamart
Basic Training
Posted Fri 10 August 2007 04:44 AM Hide Post
OneThreeMarine is 100% correct in his assessment. We are indeed on the brink of creating a Mercenary Army. Our Armed Forces are being decimated by incompetent Military Leadership, a Congress that represents K-Street, and an Executive Branch that Jimmy Breslin would be proud of..."The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight"! This is a really sad and pathetic commentary on the state of our Armed Forces and more importantly on the the state of our Nation. We need to bring back Universal Service, with no deferments, and most importantly, like many Democratic Governments around the world, have a vote of No Confidence In Our Current Politicians and move the 08 Elections to November 07!!


REPLY:

Like the article said, it is the Army that is offering this program. The Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and the Coast Guard don't see a need for this program that is why they are not following the Army's lead so therefore our Armed Forces not in a sad and pathetic shape. Please don't believe everything that you hear. I take offense when I read blogs, post saying our military is not in the shape it has been in. You are basically saying that we are not as well as trained as the military of the "old days" or prior years. I am a well trained Marine and I think the other services are equally trained also. With that being said if you keep reading bullsh*t about how our military is broken, you will believe anything.

Semper Fi,

A well trained Marine that can shoot straight!

I can agree with most everything you said execpt this line (Lets do what their parents should of done for them. Teach them to be good people and not free loaders.)Thanks to the liberal democrats we keep electing to office our rights as parents has been stripped away from us. No spanking them for screwing up, no paddling in school for screwing up,blah,blah blah so forth and so on, give them time out instead, WOW, THAT REALLY WORKED!!! When most of us (older) folks were growing up TIME OUT was the peorid if time it took for you to wake up after your dad knocked your sorry carcus out or mom beat you to within an inch of your life(you thought you were going to die)for screwing up, it sure opened my eye"s Our problem is that we have allowed our elected officals and a few groups like the ACLU,and others that think in the same manner to run our familes, and we know what (wonderful morals) they have instilled in our children. It"s no wonder our children grow up with no moral"s, patriotism,shame or anything else that (WE) as the greatest country in the world stand for. It"s time (we)as a country stop running our mouth and turn this country around back to it"s roots. Your kid screws up , put the leather on that rear end. Let's take our kid"s back, teach them the thing"s that we say they lack. It"s not their fault they are the way they are, IT"S OUR"S for allowing it to come to this!

quote:

Originally posted by wdruff:
Well we need to do something. We can NOT loose that strong hold we have in the middle east. We now have bases there and we need to keep them there as long as possible. These young people we have in the military now need some releif. If this helps I'm for it.

I do beleive Iraq wants us there, and we should be there. But it will take about 10 years to see a difference. And we will, it's worth all what we are doing.

I just hope with the second chance we as a nation our giving these questionable young people. That they now do somethng good for them self and country. We do have the BEST country in the world.

Most of these young people now I would not give a plug nickel for. So I think we should bring these people in. Lets do what there parents should of done for them. Teach them to be good people and not free loaders.

I think you all know how I stand by now.

Well it looks like there answer to the problem is..."Throw More money at it!"
And everybody else is screaming.."Bring Back the Draft" obviously from people who wont be in that draft age group.
How bout something really simple...
All Volinteer Army Soldiers, regardless of MOS, Do 12 months in the Infantry field. Then, after completion of that 12 months go to their perspective MOS training and fulfill their obligated contract.
They get the training they wanted, the bonus that goes with it, and the Army gets one massive amount of trained trigger pullers they can call on for any contingency operations when needed.
Plus, a great weight control program too!
It's not that Hard People!
Why you might ask, well, look at the massive amount of Soldiers that are not and will no be, sent into the fight because of what their job is..ie: Missile Techs, Radar tech, Mechanics, Microwave communication techs, Admin pogues, cooks, supply..one massive pool of potianial deployable combat troops in these fields. But before somebody screams "why waste the training and money on technical person just to put them behind a rifle", Well, I did say, they do the 12 month Infantry "before" they go to their MOS training...you haven't wasted a dime yet.
The Army could start out slow, first mak it 6 or 9 month requirement and then build up the rotation up to a12 month requirement.
No need for more Divisions or higher recruiting...they already got the people, and a stable rate of recruitment to keep the status quo filled. Their just having problems filling the "new" units being formed.
Ok, I'm done fixing problems for today...

Straightforward: I get so tired of the comments that always say that it is a liberal politicians that have failed this country. Come up with another excuse! That is pure BS - I truly believe that most Americans are down the middle types and not far right or far left. And when you get into your 70s or older, than talk about the old days - I lived before Howdy Doody and TV and I know what the belt means and meant to my ***. It is the values that this country has taken and it has been in effect for a long time. And when you talk leadership, it is both Republicans and Democrata that have failed us. It not what the ACLU and other groups instill in our children, it is what the parent instills in there children. I had a son that served for 16 years before he was seriously injured and I presently have a Grandson at Fort Sill - tell my about your children!!!!

To be realistic: A majority of elected officials the past seven years have failed America !

Perhaps we need to examine our own motives before we vote !

quote:

Originally posted by straightforward:
I can agree with most everything you said execpt this line (Lets do what their parents should of done for them. Teach them to be good people and not free loaders.)Thanks to the liberal democrats we keep electing to office our rights as parents has been stripped away from us. No spanking them for screwing up, no paddling in school for screwing up,blah,blah blah so forth and so on, give them time out instead, WOW, THAT REALLY WORKED!!! When most of us (older) folks were growing up TIME OUT was the peorid if time it took for you to wake up after your dad knocked your sorry carcus out or mom beat you to within an inch of your life(you thought you were going to die)for screwing up, it sure opened my eye"s

[/QUOTE]


Child abuse IS the answer. Good to know, I'm off the beat my two old to within an inch of her life for looking at me askance. Thanks for the Conservative Republican parenting advice.

First, kudos to all of you who served, be it 3 years or 30 years, with little or no bonus, who saw military life as inherently worthwhile.
Secondly, regarding this article, it is part of a predicted narrative against this Administration and against the US involvement in Iraq. Citizens are "voting with their feet." The West Point graduates of '00, '01 are "voting with their feet." Career service like Gen. Batista "voted with their feet." I agree with RichardSl regarding a decline in "healthy" patriotism. I decry the xenophobia and unbridled arrogance of key persons in this Administration. On the other hand, if an E-5 or E-6 takes a big cash bonus for a reenlistment he/she was intending to do anyway? More power to you! Some official will claim credit for your reenlistment while you send one of your kids to college or put a downpayment on your retirement home... or get a new Harley. Whatever.

I think it's kinda sad that the Army would have to result to that kind of bribes to get young people to join their ranks. kinda scares me, truthfully, if I am going to be on the frontline, I would want to be there with someone who joined to serve their country and wh's gonna have my back, not someone who joined for $20 000.00 or a down payment on their house.

The young adults are a reflection of their parents. Good thing we do have a surplus population of christian , family friendly , hardworking , soon to be unemployed by the credit crunch debacle folks. Habla espanol ? Want citizenship ?Uncle Sam will employ you then in the coming resource wars ) Sign here please ).

quote:

REPLY:

Like the article said, it is the Army that is offering this program. The Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and the Coast Guard don't see a need for this program that is why they are not following the Army's lead so therefore our Armed Forces not in a sad and pathetic shape. Please don't believe everything that you hear. I take offense when I read blogs, post saying our military is not in the shape it has been in. You are basically saying that we are not as well as trained as the military of the "old days" or prior years. I am a well trained Marine and I think the other services are equally trained also. With that being said if you keep reading bullsh*t about how our military is broken, you will believe anything.

Semper Fi,

A well trained Marine that can shoot straight!

COXMD...Training really isn't an issue nor is being able to shoot straight. What is at issue is the Army failed to meet recruitment goals in May and June. What is at issue is the quick turnaround and multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan by both the Army and the Marines. What is at issue is the Army's lowering of recruitment standards. What is at issue is that the Army is beginning to Buy Recruits. What is at issue is that Army and Marine Reserve Forces are being used as Active Duty Forces, which seriously degrades other Reserve and Guard Missions. What is at issue is the inability of our Armed Forces to respond to another serious crisis. Iran comes to mind...I guess the Air Force could bomb them into oblivion. What is at issue is the state of combat equipment repair and replacement. What is at issue is Military Family Morale, Welfare, and Mental Health problems. What is at issue is the percentage of returning soldiers and marines with serious mental problems from combat stress. What is at issue is 15 month combat tours for the Army. What is at issue the follow-up medical care our wounded veterans are receiving. COXMD I am glad you can still "Shoot Straight"! Unfortunately, those in the Pentagon, Congress, and White House can't and haven't since this whole mess started!

I wish they had all these bonuses when I went in. Don't forget the.....
Limo will pick the enlistee up and delivers him to the army post, but along the way the limo stops for grand departing meal. Maybe if he is lucky he will have a pretty escort for his pleasure also.