Paying for the all-voluntary military

[BMT (RIP)]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/paying-for-the-all-voluntary-military/2013/01/14/3c4bab00-5e71-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines

BMT

[Pete]

If it's such a good deal why do we need a recruiting command?

[alelks]

Here! I fixed the first paragraph.

The United States can’t sustain the handouts, and health benefits that many of the moochers off the system are currently getting according to anyone with half a brain.

[sinjefe]

Ditto. They'll never get it. It's okay to provide handouts to moochers (food stamps, welfare, etc). But, for those that risk their lives and sacrifice in a way those dickheads will never understand, we should cut their meager benefits.

Fuck them.

[frostfire]

I personally know it is not sustainable at least in the healthcare benefit

Ft Bragg for example, when FORSCOM and USARC moved on post, how much expansion of the healthcare system was added? Thousands of staff, then their spouse and children. If you count the number of beds at the hospital, heck, add with the number of chairs in the waiting room, and the clinics, the ratio doesn't add up. That is not counting vets and retirees that come from the VA when their needs/wants not met, as well as those who got out after initial contract and don't have healthcare insurance/access.

I kept telling those who have the means to get private insurance in addition for their loved ones. After 4hrs+ wait, they normally agreed with me

[MR2]

Some well stated comments at the end of the article:
It's amazing to me that those that are most interested in reniging on the promises to servicemembers are those "Chicken Hawks" that are all too eager to send other people's children to war as they pad their portfolios and trusts on the profits of war. You know, the ones that always want to "thank you for your service"...
How many American citizens would serve for what the military pays? Putting in time overseas, aboard ships, doing the jobs that they do taking the risks? being away from family and friends for months if not years for multiple tours overseas? Less than 2% of American Citizens chose e to serve in our all volunteer military, and the majority are not "lifers." They are not "given their benefits- they EARN them.

[sinjefe]

I personally know it is not sustainable at least in the healthcare benefit


It would be sustainable if we weren't shelling out so much for moochers. If only one group were to be taken care of, it should be vets, IMO.

[FlagDayNCO]

Does the Army still send out the annual explanation of benefits? I recall a document that was specific to me (SSAN) and listed all the items and "value" these added benefits total. As an E4 in Germany, the Finance people made it look like I was bringing in close to $80,000.00 annually in 1990.

Education, housing, AAFES- PX, Barber Shop, Electronics, Auto Sales, Commisary, MWR, you-name-it, etc. Most of which were more for the benefit of the General Officers spouses and the wives clubs.

Wouldn't it be nice if all that "stuff" the Moochers receive is considered a benefit with a monetary value and considered taxable income?

After my years of service and now working as a Civilian, I see these Moochers every day and it sickens me.

[Stargazer]

The costs associated with out of control healthcare costs and retirement plans are stressing the entire economy. People really buy in to the dribble that these problems are unique to "all-volunteer military force and their families"? Last I knew... American Citizens are those who primarily put on the uniform.

If it's unsustainable for those who serve it's true of all others -- starting with those on the hill and all the 'give me's' of this growing pathetic society.

I personally am of the belief that it is the DUTY of every American Citizen (whether a veteran or not), to ensure that those individuals who have served and their families are always taken care of.

[afchic]

Does the Army still send out the annual explanation of benefits? I recall a document that was specific to me (SSAN) and listed all the items and "value" these added benefits total. As an E4 in Germany, the Finance people made it look like I was bringing in close to $80,000.00 annually in 1990.

Education, housing, AAFES- PX, Barber Shop, Electronics, Auto Sales, Commisary, MWR, you-name-it, etc. Most of which were more for the benefit of the General Officers spouses and the wives clubs.
Wouldn't it be nice if all that "stuff" the Moochers receive is considered a benefit with a monetary value and considered taxable income?

After my years of service and now working as a Civilian, I see these Moochers every day and it sickens me.

Care to explain that statement? Maybe it is different in the AF, but of all the services you listed, the enlisted members benefitted the most from them, as they should.

As far as your annual explanation of benefits, yes they still do send it out. But what you seem to forget is that the only pay you are taxed on is your base pay. All the rest is tax free. Granted, I don't believe the military gets paid what it is worth, especially our enlisted, but when all is said and done, we are pretty well taken care of while on active duty. Retirement, well that is a different ball of wax.

[Pete]

10th legio

I deleted you post.

1. Because it was your first post (as per your post count) and not in the right place. If you've been a member for a year and have been reading the board you know about the lost intro thread.

&

2. Because you only get one chance to make a first impression.

[sinjefe]

1. Because it was your first post (as per your post count) and not in the right place. If you've been a member for a year and have been reading the board you know about the lost intro thread.

&

2. Because you only get one chance to make a first impression.

WTF? Black Chinook for you:mad:

[afchic]

WTF?:mad:

I guess second impressions aren't all that important either :)

[Team Sergeant]

WTF? Black Chinook for you:mad:

Yup, got him and he's gone. :munchin