RE: http://www.military.com/opinio...15202,193118,00.html

Its a start, but congressstill has a long way to go to relly start recognizing ALL our Veterans.

Its funny how programs that will effect our Veterans have to meet the 'no-increase with out a cat' requirements of the balanced budget but they can always find money outside that rule for their favorite PORK or 'stimulus' spending.

A start is paying more money to our military people while they are in. I am all for helping them when they get out and something finally is being done, but it is ridiculous that the average computer geek, office geek, and all these other no risk jobs get paid top dollar and the guys fighting for their freedom make chump change.

Look at it this way the average monthly income for a new recruit is what 1250.00 before taxes or something like that. Who the hell can live off of that? No one....

I will put it in simple terms, I am now out of the Marine Corps and would make half my salary if I were to go back in. Half my civilian salary to clarify. That is horrible. We need to pay these guys.

Just like law enforcement, a new recruit should be coming in at around $45,000 per year. Just to start out. An E-5 as I was when I was in the infantry should be making like $65,000 per year. I mean come on people these men are fighting for us and their own lives and we can't even give them a decent pay. It is no wonder we can't recruit good officers and NCOs that stay in.

Bottom line make it worth it to serve and make it worth it when you do and you become a veteran....... Semper Fi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The author pointed out that "Also part of the war supplemental bill, Congress is honoring the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice by ensuring that all children of those killed in the line of duty since 9/11 will be able to afford a college education."

However, he conveniently forgot other items, including a "cash for clunkers" incentive to swap gas guzzling vehicles for more fuel-efficient vehicles, funds for UN peacekeeping, air service to rural communities, Gulf Coast housing for hurricane victims and the response to a flu pandemic.

Yep, I'm sure the author was proud to join Speaker Pelosi in saluting Congress for listening to the veterans' community and taking decisive action. Good thing the bill wasn't primarily about the troops fighting right now

Congratulations! Mr.Rieckhoff and the IAVA have scored another victory for our Veterans!
And heres a little "shout out"(Chairman Steele style) to the naysayers:

quote:

Originally posted by tubeboob:
Congratulations! Mr.Rieckhoff and the IAVA have scored another victory for our Veterans!
And heres a little "shout out"(Chairman Steele style) to the naysayers:

____________________
You must like the way Congress doles out the money.

One for you, one for me
One for you, two for me
One for you, three for me
Etc.....
Etc......
Etc........

Yeah, that bill really helped out the troops fighting. Maybe they can trade in that junked out Hummer and get a new car with better gas milage. Or better yet, maybe they can borrow some new equipment from the UN (paid for courtesy of the US taxpayer).

Yeah, Congress really put the financial support for the troops at the forefront.

In 1965 I made 78.00 bucks a month, try living on that, even back then, when I made E-4 and married, I made 155.00 a month, (1968). Rent 55.00 (a old trailer, with a lot of mice, fuel oil heat, always ran out in the winter) car payment 50.00 a month, that left us with 50 bucks a month to live on and pay the bills and food. wife went to work as a car hop (remember those?) for 10 cents an hour and tips.

In 1976 I made Warrant Officer, In 1982 as a CWO2 I clear 1,200 a month with a wife and two kids. (what did you say a PVT makes now 1285.00?)

The military has come a long ways in pay, a long ways....Do they deserve to earn more, sure, just like every other job out there deserves more, but keep in mind the more you make, the more it costs you to live.

As a Government worker a GS-1 starts around 12K a year, I retired out of the military and the Federal government, the feds I was a GS-12 Step 6, making around 72K a yr (with everything added in) did I deserve more? You bet I did, I had at least 5 to 6 different jobs I did and was a Key person (in other words when others got snow days or any other day off for what ever reason, I had to come in, no over time, work workends for free or comp time, travel on weekends, no over time)and my job was sometimes 50% travel.

The government as a whole is under paid, except those worthless congress and Senate, who work a 3 day work week for 100K plus and a 1 million expense account.

Those same Congress and Senate that changes the rules of engagement in times of war that so far has cost us over 1,000 of the KIA's in Iraq and Afgan, the same Congress and Senate you voted in!

The last time I voted (last election) I voted for anyone who WAS NOT in Office, its time to clean house and get these worthless piece's of crap out and I mean ALL!, not just some, they all need to be replace and then a term limit.

Congress really does not care about veterans and the American people care more about television (look at the money thrown at the digital tv switch). So whats new, NOTHING????

Whoop! there it is signed on the dotted line.Way to git 'er done IAVA!

The President just signed a new bill into law that will give up to $5,000 in back pay to troops and veterans who have been stop-lossed since 2001. Additionally, all children of fallen men and women are now eligible to attend college using the benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill

quote:

Originally posted by recone528:
A start is paying more money to our military people while they are in. I am all for helping them when they get out and something finally is being done, but it is ridiculous that the average computer geek, office geek, and all these other no risk jobs get paid top dollar and the guys fighting for their freedom make chump change.

Look at it this way the average monthly income for a new recruit is what 1250.00 before taxes or something like that. Who the hell can live off of that? No one....

I will put it in simple terms, I am now out of the Marine Corps and would make half my salary if I were to go back in. Half my civilian salary to clarify. That is horrible. We need to pay these guys.

Just like law enforcement, a new recruit should be coming in at around $45,000 per year. Just to start out. An E-5 as I was when I was in the infantry should be making like $65,000 per year. I mean come on people these men are fighting for us and their own lives and we can't even give them a decent pay. It is no wonder we can't recruit good officers and NCOs that stay in.

Bottom line make it worth it to serve and make it worth it when you do and you become a veteran....... Semper Fi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

problem is a computer geek is looked on as a single wage earner, while GI's are one in a million of millions of dollars total pay!

I think active duty get paid enough- with their BAQ and BAS and medical coverage. HOWEVER- it's not active duty alone over there serving full-time! Guard and reserve who were earning the big bucks you described LOSE money big time when activated- their families can't live in base housing while they're away with free utilities and schools.Guard and Reserve are the big losers!
Another thing is that when you retire active duty you collect your retirement asap- no one else gets that- everyone else generally has to wait until age 60. My husband has been collecting his ret pay since age 38 and has eight more years before he's sixty- we'll have collected 22 years of retirement pay by then! that's a whopping $400,000 dollars we wouldn't have seen if he retired from Guard or Reserve or most other jobs...