cutting retirement pay I am a retired RM2(SW), E-5. I have read that some think tank is trying to get the pentagon to cut retirement pay. if they do that there will be no one left in the military. they try to use the civilian aspect of 20 years retirement compared to military. remember civilians do not go to sea, or be on land getting short at each day. so doing this is stupid!
It's the same in the UK. Recruitment is up. I've heard the regiments are full with waiting lists . . . Might go some way toward getting General McChrystal the troops he needs.
Yeah..Just got off Recruiting duty and the same ones that would hang up on me and curse me out for trying to tell the Army story are now interested in joining because their parents lost their jobs and had to get rid of the summer home and the yacht and cant afford to send Johnny to college..funny on how things happen. Now that I'm back in the Regular Army, many of these kids just joined for the money and benefits. They get to their units and find out that this career is about more than just collecting a paycheck and they all run to sick call and mental health trying to find ways to get discharged. Many are just hiding out and laying low in the military until the economy gets better and our retention numbers will drop sharply. There was an article that came out a few years back that criticized the Army for using too many monetary incentives to attract recruits because they lack "loyalty" and true committment to service once they join.This is not for all..some do join and find out they actually like the military and make good soldiers. I'm talking about the ones who wont "take the hill" when the time comes. We should do more like the Marines and concentrate on values and really wanting to serve as oppose to just joining for the paycheck and benefits.Make the bonuses and GI Bill available only after the 1st year and a half of service have been successfully completed which is the time you usually have high attrition.
It's up to the Army, and/or the other branches, to teach them loyalty and commitment. We took average civilians into the Marine Corps and made them Marines. Not all of them come to you with the right ethics and attitude. It is up to the NCOs to make them Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen and Marines. Metal sharpens metal. Quit being baby sitters, and do your jobs.
Originally posted by deserthopper: Yeah..Just got off Recruiting duty and the same ones that would hang up on me and curse me out for trying to tell the Army story are now interested in joining because their parents lost their jobs and had to get rid of the summer home and the yacht and cant afford to send Johnny to college..funny on how things happen. Now that I'm back in the Regular Army, many of these kids just joined for the money and benefits. They get to their units and find out that this career is about more than just collecting a paycheck and they all run to sick call and mental health trying to find ways to get discharged. Many are just hiding out and laying low in the military until the economy gets better and our retention numbers will drop sharply. There was an article that came out a few years back that criticized the Army for using too many monetary incentives to attract recruits because they lack "loyalty" and true committment to service once they join.This is not for all..some do join and find out they actually like the military and make good soldiers. I'm talking about the ones who wont "take the hill" when the time comes. We should do more like the Marines and concentrate on values and really wanting to serve as oppose to just joining for the paycheck and benefits.Make the bonuses and GI Bill available only after the 1st year and a half of service have been successfully completed which is the time you usually have high attrition.
Good post and great points. When I joined the Navy in 1958 everything my recruiter promised me was delivered. Based on the benefits granted AFTER my separation from service, I went through college and it even paid part of my Graduate school.
I will cast no stones. Another proud member, Derelict Veterans Group. “OF MUNERIS UT TOTUS”
Originally posted by deserthopper: Now that I'm back in the Regular Army, many of these kids just joined for the money and benefits. They get to their units and find out that this career is about more than just collecting a paycheck and they all run to sick call and mental health trying to find ways to get discharged. Many are just hiding out and laying low in the military until the economy gets better and our retention numbers will drop sharply. There was an article that came out a few years back that criticized the Army for using too many monetary incentives to attract recruits because they lack "loyalty" and true committment to service once they join.This is not for all..some do join and find out they actually like the military and make good soldiers. I'm talking about the ones who wont "take the hill" when the time comes. We should do more like the Marines and concentrate on values and really wanting to serve as oppose to just joining for the paycheck and benefits.Make the bonuses and GI Bill available only after the 1st year and a half of service have been successfully completed which is the time you usually have high attrition.
I agree with a lot of your points but a few clarifications. The GI Bill isn't available right away - at least not at full potential. Also, if these kids go whining for a discharge, they lose their benefits. There's a guy in my squadron who's getting out in a couple weeks taking a general discharge after accumulating an Article & other paperwork. The first thing I said was, "You realize you don't get your GI Bill, right?" He knew but he's AGE & got certification in tech school. He's already got a job lined up on the outside too. I say, good ridance to bad rubish. This kid fell alseep everyday during FTAC (& as class leader, he earned the priviledge of taking out trash for me for that).
