"It used be all a part of you pay, the reason they switched to "tax free allowances" was to reduce basic pay and thus reduce retirement. If I could get 50% retirement pay based on the total of all my pay I would retire tomorrow."

Not really. It's been only base for, well as long as I can remember. If they only discounted tax free allowances from retirement then you'd get to count incentive pay for your final compensation. Incentive pay is taxed while you serve and counts as income for reporting purposes, not for retirement.

"OMG I haven't heard that in quite some time. Too bad you're anonymous in your profile"
-----------------------------------------

Come on buddy, you know who this is! You left a voice mail on my answering machine a while back.." NIP IT..NIP IT IN THE BUD!" I am not making treats for the guys anymore….wish I could be.

It was reported in the television news media as recently as two weeks ago Defense Secretary Panetta stated current retirees and those in the pipeline will be grandfathered. Pipeline could be understood to mean several things. In Military Personnel Manuals a lot of entitlements on the retirement side kick in at eight years of active service.

Keep in mind the CG historically follows DoD lead as a Armed Service but does not have to as a DHS agency.

quote:

Originally posted by Dolphindriver:

quote:

Coast Guard is retired under 14 USC vice 10 USC. Are you folks being included in the proposed changes ???

i'm sure the CG would follow suit. When was the last time the CG did not follow the DOD in pay?

Probably back when we switched from treasury to DOT. Enlisted used to get extra 10% retirement for good conduct.

We deserved it.

quote:

Originally posted by joedepilot:
Probably back when we switched from treasury to DOT. Enlisted used to get extra 10% retirement for good conduct.

The extra 10% for good conduct was ended in 1964. The idea was none of the other services got it so why should the Coast Guard.

The underlying reason was there was an expansion of the officer corps and they needed the money to support the increased number of officers.

It is all in the congressional record.

quote:

Originally posted by joedepilot:

quote:

Originally posted by Dolphindriver:

quote:

Coast Guard is retired under 14 USC vice 10 USC. Are you folks being included in the proposed changes ???

i'm sure the CG would follow suit. When was the last time the CG did not follow the DOD in pay?

Probably back when we switched from treasury to DOT. Enlisted used to get extra 10% retirement for good conduct.

Good thing we can still get an extra 10% on retirement for being decorated with the Distinguished Flying cross for extraordinary heroism!

Perspective check for me please:

Keep in mind I have no enlisted service, but it has always seemed odd that we give awards to guys/gals who avoid NJP, etc. No, I am not trying to stir anything up by the comment. The enlisted folks I have served with over the years rarely got/get into trouble. In fact, accounting for officers having smaller numbers, I don't see a higher rate of discipline or Bozo no-nos. I understand it is tradition, but I almost feel like we are insulting people by presenting them an award for not getting jammed up. Yeah, I am probably looking at it all wrong (especially from a tradition standpoint) so please feel free to set me straight.

The Coast Guard does the same thing (in a different format) for Os. It is called you get to stay in. The up or out promotion system rewards keeping your nose clean (and yes, I know a lot slip thru the cracks, as do probably enlisted members who receive Good Conduct medals). Bottom line, do your job well and stay out of trouble and you should succeed in the Coast Guard whether you are Officer or Enlisted. r/LOB

The Air Force eliminated their good conduct medal a few years ago. Those very arguments were presented. Interesting that just a couple of years later, It was re-established at the request of the enlisted and officers who wanted it eliminated earlier.

Prior to 1980, the CG GCM required 4 years to meet the requirements. It has had different time requirements since 1920. As the normal 4 year enlistments ended 1 day short of 4 years, only re-enlisted men earned a good conduct medal. It is engrained in the CG genes. Early CG warrant officers retained their warrant 'under conditions of good conduct'. Get your azz in a jamb and busted back to the enlisted rates. Prior to the uniform change in 1976, enlisted men with 12 years continuous good conduct got to wear gold rating badges and hashmarks. It was not exclusively a CPO perk. It was not uncommon to see three or four hashmark CPOs sporting crimson hashmarks vs gold. The stigma of a Mast was not a big deal, and sometimes one could be considered a candy azz if you hadn't been before the mast for some liberty transgression.

The GC Medal falls under the broad term 'award' but more specifically, it is a service award vs a decoration. Meet a certain criteria and you earn an award. Think on the civilian side 'employee of the year' or some such.

It could very easily be eliminated, but as the USAF learned, the enlisted force missed it and changed their minds.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MastersMate,

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:


The GC Medal falls under the broad term 'award' but more specifically, it is a service award vs a decoration. Meet a certain criteria and you earn an award. Think on the civilian side 'employee of the year' or some such.

It could very easily be eliminated, but as the USAF learned, the enlisted force missed it and changed their minds.

Interesting when you look at it that way. Thanks.

The Massachusetts Senate voted yesterday to reduce pension benefits for future state employees in a cost saving measure. We currently pay 90% of our own pension costs and the state has failed for decades to put their meager share into the pot. Therefore, new state employees will pay a higher % of their pay for a lesser pension.

Fortunately this still needs to pass the House. It looks like there may be some new senators come the next election if anyone wishes to run against the current ones and are willing to see this issue fairly rather that pandering to the media.

Be careful ladies and gents your hard work is simply fodder for ungrateful politicians.

quote:

Originally posted by Hooligan1790:
The Massachusetts Senate voted yesterday to reduce pension benefits for future state employees in a cost saving measure. We currently pay 90% of our own pension costs and the state has failed for decades to put their meager share into the pot. Therefore, new state employees will pay a higher % of their pay for a lesser pension.

Fortunately this still needs to pass the House. It looks like there may be some new senators come the next election if anyone wishes to run against the current ones and are willing to see this issue fairly rather that pandering to the media.

Be careful ladies and gents your hard work is simply fodder for ungrateful politicians.

Pat, it sounds like it's time to leave the state of Mass!!!!

Pat, it sounds like it's time to leave the state of Mass!!!![/QUOTE]

I did in 2006, and boy am I glad. I was raised in the Town of Beans, and the people & politicians haven't changed. Now I live in an area were people say good morning instead of "Foxtrot You, Whata Ya Want"

quote:

Originally posted by lobenton:
The Coast Guard does the same thing (in a different format) for Os. It is called you get to stay in. The up or out promotion system rewards keeping your nose clean... r/LOB

That is apples and oranges as the same can be said for enlisted members. If they keep their nose clean they get to stay in. Besides, just keeping your nose clean won't keep you in the officer corps. O-1 to O-3 maybe but O-4 and above drop large percentages of officers that were "keeping their nose clean."

I received a good conduct medal in the Army while I was enlisted and thought it was pretty cool but I do see the argument that you should have good conduct as a term of employment and an award isn't necessary.

As Napolean said, " A soldier will work long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." Maybe that maroon award is just enough for some to think twice about doing something stupid. I doubt it, but maybe.

quote:

Perspective check for me please:

Keep in mind I have no enlisted service, but it has always seemed odd that we give awards to guys/gals who avoid NJP, etc. No, I am not trying to stir anything up by the comment. The enlisted folks I have served with over the years rarely got/get into trouble. In fact, accounting for officers having smaller numbers, I don't see a higher rate of discipline or Bozo no-nos. I understand it is tradition, but I almost feel like we are insulting people by presenting them an award for not getting jammed up. Yeah, I am probably looking at it all wrong (especially from a tradition standpoint) so please feel free to set me straight.

Keep in mind I have no Officer service, but we (enlisted) always thought it was odd officers always received medals when they left command for simply doing the job they were paid to do.

Mike, Kris,

I'm too near retirement to leave now and the new rules won't affect me if it goes through as is. Once retired, however, things get better. Health insurance for 15%, state tax free pension etc.

I was thinking of heading north after I retire.

quote:

Originally posted by Hooligan1790:
Mike, Kris,

I'm too near retirement to leave now and the new rules won't affect me if it goes through as is. Once retired, however, things get better. Health insurance for 15%, state tax free pension etc.

I was thinking of heading north after I retire.

Pat,
I think that's great. I LOVE New England, but I personally would only consider New Hampshire and NNE and NNW of that if I was to Return.

Dolphin driver...agree, you have to keep your nose clean AND PRODUCE. Seems fair to me. Not everyone is going to make Admiral, Captain or Commander. In general competent officers who keep clear of scandal will probably make their 20...as will competent enlisteds who do the same. r/LOB

At least we agree in general. Now we can work together to get officers their well deserved good conduct medals!!