posted
I haven't served other than paying my taxes and letting my friends who have been there know I appreciate their service (I'm to danged old to do the military any good) but a friend of mine in New Mexico has been twice with the army and once as a civilian, and has reenlisted to go again as an officer when he finishes his degree next year. If I were 18 or 20, I'd go.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Like I said, I'm too old. Maybe when I am done with my business management degree they will have a place for me?? Don't let my wife hear me say that! But I have several friends who will go back and want to.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
My boss was Marines before he got out four years ago. Before the war but he had been operating in the Middle East. He'd been planning not to reenlist already, thought they'd gotten too used to shooting at untrained resistance fighters poking their heads over the hill and lost focus on the reasons they were there. Before he could someone shot him in the ass as they were leaving a firefight. LOL
-------------------- No longer eligible for government service due to lack of tax issues. Posts: 5178 | From: Up North | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Leo: Like I said, I'm too old. Maybe when I am done with my business management degree they will have a place for me?? Don't let my wife hear me say that! But I have several friends who will go back and want to.
-------------------- "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Benjamin Franklin Posts: 3898 | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
So, we'll put that one on the "hell No" pile.
quote:Originally posted by Sasquatch: My boss was Marines before he got out four years ago. Before the war but he had been operating in the Middle East. He'd been planning not to reenlist already, thought they'd gotten too used to shooting at untrained resistance fighters poking their heads over the hill and lost focus on the reasons they were there. Before he could someone shot him in the ass as they were leaving a firefight. LOL
-------------------- "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Benjamin Franklin Posts: 3898 | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Gordon Bennett: Specifically, why do they want to go back?
quote:Originally posted by Leo: Like I said, I'm too old. Maybe when I am done with my business management degree they will have a place for me?? Don't let my wife hear me say that! But I have several friends who will go back and want to.
They like being in the military.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
The reasons they want to go back is because they see progress actually being made in the country. In my MOS you get to actually see first hand whats going on, you get to talk and interact with the people a lot. They see for the most part the Iraqis are decent people.
Not to mention the tax free pay is pretty damn nice too.
-------------------- *I'm not a financial expert or advisor, everything stated is my opinion* Posts: 1680 | From: NC | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I'm sure the Iraqis are decent people. Haven't 30,000 of them died as a result of this occupation?
Tax free pay is nice, but it seems to be a pittance. The guy above apparently made something like $40k a year and it works out to something like $7 an hour. A pretty low wage to risk one's life and limb.
As for the progress, please elaborate? All I've heard is that the whole region is going to hell-in-a-handbasket, and that there are more terorists now then ever before.
Seriously, if I'm wrong on any of the above please advise and also provide evidence to the contrary?
Thanks!
quote:Originally posted by SuperSniper00: The reasons they want to go back is because they see progress actually being made in the country. In my MOS you get to actually see first hand whats going on, you get to talk and interact with the people a lot. They see for the most part the Iraqis are decent people.
Not to mention the tax free pay is pretty damn nice too.
-------------------- "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Benjamin Franklin Posts: 3898 | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
"Tax free pay is nice, but it seems to be a pittance. The guy above apparently made something like $40k a year and it works out to something like $7 an hour. A pretty low wage to risk one's life and limb."
If you're 18, come from a state where 5.15 is the going wage for someone who barely got a highschool diploma, $7 an hour is good. Open your eyes twister man, this country is full of poor people who look at the military as a way to improve themselves and their lives. Don't dis that.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
"As for the progress, please elaborate? All I've heard is that the whole region is going to hell-in-a-handbasket, and that there are more terorists now then ever before."
I listen to NPR everyday and I don't hear that. Try looking at the world for real, not from your jaded perspective. There is good and bad. It's basic physics. Get used to it.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Be a pizza delivery boy. Make twice what the gov's offering.
-------------------- No longer eligible for government service due to lack of tax issues. Posts: 5178 | From: Up North | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
Super Sniper- could you post a link of a site I can visit that does give good news on the Iraq situation? It can be a mix of good and bad. I've given up waiting on the mainstream press to provide any good news from the battle front. I"m sure their are many good things going on over there,. But I'm also sure the agenda of the press will not allow them to report it.
posted
You've just stumbled upon a big reason for the Bush Administration's opposition to a decent minimum wage.
quote:Originally posted by Leo: "Tax free pay is nice, but it seems to be a pittance. The guy above apparently made something like $40k a year and it works out to something like $7 an hour. A pretty low wage to risk one's life and limb."
If you're 18, come from a state where 5.15 is the going wage for someone who barely got a highschool diploma, $7 an hour is good. Open your eyes twister man, this country is full of poor people who look at the military as a way to improve themselves and their lives. Don't dis that.
-------------------- "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Benjamin Franklin Posts: 3898 | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Gordon Bennett: You've just stumbled upon a big reason for the Bush Administration's opposition to a decent minimum wage.
quote:Originally posted by Leo: "Tax free pay is nice, but it seems to be a pittance. The guy above apparently made something like $40k a year and it works out to something like $7 an hour. A pretty low wage to risk one's life and limb."
If you're 18, come from a state where 5.15 is the going wage for someone who barely got a highschool diploma, $7 an hour is good. Open your eyes twister man, this country is full of poor people who look at the military as a way to improve themselves and their lives. Don't dis that.
Don't forget to add the Clinton administration to that statement!
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Sasquatch: Be a pizza delivery boy. Make twice what the gov's offering.
That job is more dangerous though. Seems like every day a pizza guy is getting shot in the ghetto over a large cheese and sausage.
Posts: 5729 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
While in garrison we dont make a whole lot of money but when we are deployed we make a lot.
While I was in the Philippines I was making $3200/month as a 19/20 year guy.
With just a high school backround that is pretty good salary.
The guy in the article who was making $40K a year...remember that is tax free $40K a year. That is the equivilant of $60K a year if you pay taxes.
The guy was 33 so assuming he joined when he was 18, he would be an E-6 with 15 years in grade, current base rate pay is 2948.70/month...plus BAH (housing), BAS(food allowance) and while deployed hazardous duty, hostile fire, and tax free pay.
Let's break this down (going off the rates of an E-6 with 15 years in service at Ft. Bragg NC):
Base pay: 2948.70 BAH: 991 BAS: 272.26 Hostile Fire: 225 SAVE: 100 Family Seperation Pay: 250
That is $4786 a month. That is approx $57K a year. I think they slanted the article and said $40K because only your base pay is taxable when your in the states. BAH and BAS are not taxed ever.
Trust me Im in the army and i'd love to get paid more and I think we should, but if you evaluate the level of education most servicemembers have the pay is really not THAT bad.
Remember we also dont pay medical/dental. We get 30 days of leave a year. About ten 4-day weekends every year. And this also does not take into account the $37K GI Bill, initial enlistment bonuses, and re-enlistment bonuses(which are also tax free if you re-enlist in a combat zone).
-------------------- *I'm not a financial expert or advisor, everything stated is my opinion* Posts: 1680 | From: NC | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
CashCowMoo who posts here every now and then was there for a two year stint I believe. I remember him telling me how some ass-hole sent him an envelope full of Dairy Queen coupons. Hell of a joke for someone trying to survive in the desert.
Posts: 5729 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by SuperSniper00: While in garrison we dont make a whole lot of money but when we are deployed we make a lot.
While I was in the Philippines I was making $3200/month as a 19/20 year guy.
With just a high school backround that is pretty good salary.
The guy in the article who was making $40K a year...remember that is tax free $40K a year. That is the equivilant of $60K a year if you pay taxes.
The guy was 33 so assuming he joined when he was 18, he would be an E-6 with 15 years in grade, current base rate pay is 2948.70/month...plus BAH (housing), BAS(food allowance) and while deployed hazardous duty, hostile fire, and tax free pay.
Let's break this down (going off the rates of an E-6 with 15 years in service at Ft. Bragg NC):
Base pay: 2948.70 BAH: 991 BAS: 272.26 Hostile Fire: 225 SAVE: 100 Family Seperation Pay: 250
That is $4786 a month. That is approx $57K a year. I think they slanted the article and said $40K because only your base pay is taxable when your in the states. BAH and BAS are not taxed ever.
Trust me Im in the army and i'd love to get paid more and I think we should, but if you evaluate the level of education most servicemembers have the pay is really not THAT bad.
Remember we also dont pay medical/dental. We get 30 days of leave a year. About ten 4-day weekends every year. And this also does not take into account the $37K GI Bill, initial enlistment bonuses, and re-enlistment bonuses(which are also tax free if you re-enlist in a combat zone).
and there's more...
you get to get shot at!
-------------------- jordan Posts: 5812 | From: st paul,mn | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by SuperSniper00: While in garrison we dont make a whole lot of money but when we are deployed we make a lot.
While I was in the Philippines I was making $3200/month as a 19/20 year guy.
With just a high school backround that is pretty good salary.
The guy in the article who was making $40K a year...remember that is tax free $40K a year. That is the equivilant of $60K a year if you pay taxes.
The guy was 33 so assuming he joined when he was 18, he would be an E-6 with 15 years in grade, current base rate pay is 2948.70/month...plus BAH (housing), BAS(food allowance) and while deployed hazardous duty, hostile fire, and tax free pay.
Let's break this down (going off the rates of an E-6 with 15 years in service at Ft. Bragg NC):
Base pay: 2948.70 BAH: 991 BAS: 272.26 Hostile Fire: 225 SAVE: 100 Family Seperation Pay: 250
That is $4786 a month. That is approx $57K a year. I think they slanted the article and said $40K because only your base pay is taxable when your in the states. BAH and BAS are not taxed ever.
Trust me Im in the army and i'd love to get paid more and I think we should, but if you evaluate the level of education most servicemembers have the pay is really not THAT bad.
Remember we also dont pay medical/dental. We get 30 days of leave a year. About ten 4-day weekends every year. And this also does not take into account the $37K GI Bill, initial enlistment bonuses, and re-enlistment bonuses(which are also tax free if you re-enlist in a combat zone).
and there's more...
you get to get shot at!
AND, you get to shoot back.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Nobody is making these people enlist...and nobody is making them re-enlist. Retention rates are not that bad, especially considering those re-enlisting have probably been to afghan/iraq and are gonna be guarenteed a second tour if they stay in and these people know that.
That is what seperates true Americans from you monday morning quarterbacks.
-------------------- *I'm not a financial expert or advisor, everything stated is my opinion* Posts: 1680 | From: NC | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
If you can't feed your kids...stop having them.
Here is a question to ask...
How many military wives actually work?
Pretty hard to do anything these days on one paycheck.
If people knew how to save their money as well, it might not be a problem. Most of my friends blow all their money as soon as they get it. I know a lot of people who have had unplanned pregnancies too. Sort of hard to feed a kid if you blew all your money on beer, strip clubs, and video games.
-------------------- *I'm not a financial expert or advisor, everything stated is my opinion* Posts: 1680 | From: NC | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Thats the thing, the news doesnt report about the hundreds of schools we have built, or hospitals, or wells.
$297 billion...is nothing if it means my children and grandchildren wont be speaking arabic.
-------------------- *I'm not a financial expert or advisor, everything stated is my opinion* Posts: 1680 | From: NC | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
heehhee.. If people knew how to save their money as well, it might not be a problem. Most of my friends blow all their money as soon as they get it. I know a lot of people who have had unplanned pregnancies too. Sort of hard to feed a kid if you blew all your money on beer, strip clubs, and video games.
that's the way it was while i was in too...
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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