Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Poll: Armed Forces paid enough, to much, could ues more?

Hey DDavis

Did I lie?

The truth sucks and I don't live in a fantasy world. Respect my opinion as I respect yours, my views are not unfounded or without merit,and I thought you ended this senseless name calling and personal bashing :p

wow...

Yeah baby...
Military Police...
Of the Troops, For the troops

I can't remember the last 4 day pass I got off, but the way I look at is this, I would rather my troops have the day off than me, that's all part of being an NCO

secondly this past Chrismas was the first in 5 years that I didn't have to work, mind you I go off at 11PM on Christmas Eve but the reason I had off is because I went on leave, but I had to be off leave by the first so not to have both holidays off.

as far as the arguement about Soldier's not paying rent, buying food (I guess we don't get to eat...) paying for utilites, ect...

we yes I would rather live on post in crap housing because living off post I would have to live in the slums to afford rent, utilites, ect. Yes they give you housing allowance but it is based on rank and nine times out of ten to have my family live in a "livable" house I have to pay $200 to $400 more than what they give me so that my daughter is not liveing in a crack house infected neighborhood, once again I guess I don't get to eat.

as I stated before, PX and Commissary yes they are availiabe, but damn if I can go off post get a better selection and cheaper prices you better damn well believe I will.
AAFES says they "are for the troops" hell the only thing AAFES is good for is screwing the troops. yes they offer a credit plan that anyone can get on but the interest rates go up and down everymonth. ie, one month you could pay 9.8% but I bet the next month you'll pay 13.7%.

Gas on post is cheaper yes, by about 2 cents at th most, but the one thing you fail to see is the fact that AAFES has a contract with the lowest bidder so it's gas that most of us would not put in our lawnmower let alone our cars.
if you are single living in the barracks on a meal card I can see how someone would say that the military is paid enough, but what happens when you make the rank of E-5 and they say hey guess what now that you are an NCO move out of the barracks and live in NCO quarters (old houseing that the housing department doesn't want to put familes in because they are so run down its pathtic) but news flash is this they are out of NCO housing so you have to live off post and pay rent that is $200 to $400 more than what the give you. once again you don't get to eat.

thank you once again to the folks who truely surpport the men and women like myself and others who chose to serve our great country.
yes I chose to do this, 3 times as a matter of fact and I don't regret it, but hell could someone please make my (and everyone elses who serve) lives alot better.. if you did this, there would be no problems with retention.

Later
MP

Want to know how bad military (especially Army) housing really is? When we went to Ge in 97, we stayed on Panzer Kaserne (sp?). The took 2 buildings out of condemned status for us to live in for 6 months.

Calling you a SOB isn't what I consider personal bashing. What I did the first time was teetering on the fence of getting ready to bash you, but I'll take the hit for that one. That isn't the point.

There is a situation here. If the views aren't expressed by both sides of the argument, then awareness will never follow. How many civilians out there think the military has it great because of some days off and a college fund that can be difficult to benefit from under certain conditions?! I and several others here are simply relaying our personal experiences that demonstrate how far from the truth that is.

This isn't about crying on your buddies shoulder. This is only about bringing to light the dirt that so many people would like to sweep under the rug and forget about.

Ever turn on your water and have it come out light brown? Ever do it for six months straight because housing wouldn't replace some damn rusty pipe?

The problem does exist. It isn't only about pay but how we as a society are more concerned about the starving donkeys in Lima than our own men and women protecting our way of life. It's sad to see that. If you feel good turning a blind eye to the problem simply because you didn't experience it, I feel sorry for you. Out of sight, out of mind it would seem.

Just for anyone who isn't familiar with the "30 days paid vacation" policy, If we take leave on a friday, the whole weekend counts as leave. If we take a full work week of leave, it is counted as 9 days off. Oh yeah, and the leave has to be approved. Often service members are not allowed to take leave for months at a time.

I wanted to add info on the leave it's not like you can take off for the 30 days at one time. I wish I was only able to take 5 days here 2 there. When I got married on a friday I had to be back on monday off of leave. I have a wife and son and I am not on WIC but I get 235.00 dollars a month to feed all of us the baby by himself drinks about 235.00 dollars in milk a month. We buy most of the food out in town because it cost less. I live out in town and I have all the bills that any other civilian has. Like two car payments, child care (11 month old boy)and many more. My rent is 400.00 Dollar a month in a ok place. And I know that I don't have to live out in town but if I wanted to live on base houseing I have to sign a paper saying that I will not sue the gov because of lead posioning. What kind of **** is that. What do you think about that?