Reward money for Terrorists?

[shropshire 0]

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o.k. so let the unit pick the Charity it goes to.. I'll go half way...

Now that is a really good idea. Incentive to get the job done (not like they dont have one already but another) and someone(s) really needy get to benifit.


(so long at the charity isn't their mess fund!)

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[rehmwa 2]

No, it's also nuts. But it certainly can extend this thread topic for a while longer.

Tactical military success and luck does not qualify a unit for the redistribution of government funds.

Liberals claim that qualification, or even, gasp, the free market.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[white_falcon 0]

The entire Idea of paying a reward to the service person, or group thereof, is a bad one!!

If we start to pay our military for specific "acts or accomplishments" we turn our forces into mercenaries who are "sold" to the highest bidder.

This whole scenario is little different than the first Gulf War, in which I was DIRECTLY involved as an 11C, and the King of Kuwait wanted to give to EACH service person that was "in-country" $10,000. Our President at that time said "NO" on the grounds described above, "the U S military is NOT a mercenary force".

At the time, I was a Corporal w/ the 3ID and I was PISSED, but with age and reflection, I see this as the appropriate decision.

Thats MY $.02.

Scott

edited 'cause i cant type. sk

[LouDiamond 1]

I've read every post in this thread up to mine and I am shaking my head. Rehmwa gave a very detailed insight into why without going into to nitty griity details this doesn't happen. For those of you who get it, right on. To those of you who don't or think joe bag of dounuts and his squad should get paid all I can say is I'm thankful your not on my team(I'd fire anyone on my team with that attitude) in my unit or in the Military. When I see threads like these I have to wonder how man ever came up with words like Duty, Honor, Country, Morals, Justice, Freedom and common sense. The longer I am alive the more I am convinced the person who coined the term "common sense" was an idiot because if it was common EVERYONE would have it, which clearly isn't the case. It should be called "gifted sense" IMO because those who do have it indeed have a gift over all the others who don't. I am done with this.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[rhino 0]

Bam! Well written.. My post goes to the root of the issue... It is intersting hearing the different viewpoints.

My position is pretty solid. I see nothing wrong with "at least" the soldiers deciding what should be done with the funds...

Rhino

[juanesky 0]

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I think it's the haircut that really clutters the mind. The Navy cut tends to stress the scalp less. That's why we drive the boats and fly the planes - so when we drop off the Marines, they get there without having to ask for directions on the way.

edit: for completeness - the airmen really can't get away from the country club long enough to deliver the fighters and they can't drive the ships. The Army, well - you know. As for the coast guard, I guess they're ok, they like boats....

Very funny... Is that why the Navy coined the term Tea-Bagging? It's my understanding that Navy boys like that sort of thing from each other

What do you call a bunch of navy boys wearing all white in a group? Seaman!!

Rhino, pst...pst...Got bad news for you. The marines actually are an active part of the Navy. (Did you ever checked your pay stub and saw DON?

But as Rehmwa and Scott have stated, the job is a team effort. Don't think any less of the people at PSD working for you, as well as all those other making sure you get the ammo, supplies and support needed to complete the mission.

"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon

[skydyvr 0]

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To those of you who don't or think joe bag of dounuts and his squad should get paid all I can say is I'm thankful your not on my team(I'd fire anyone on my team with that attitude) in my unit or in the Military.

Is that who's out there looking for OBL, joe bag 'o donuts and his squad? I tend to think not, but it would explain why we haven't caught him.

. . =(_8^(1)

[rhino 0]

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Don't think any less of the people at PSD working for you, as well as all those other making sure you get the ammo, supplies and support needed to complete the mission.

I don't think less of ANY service member..

[DexterBase 1]

Rhino, I guess you like to bad mouth the Navy. Okay, that's fine. Branches of the service have always taken cracks at each other and I'm sure nothing is going to change.

You're a Marine right? Yes. A couple questions for you then.

1. Have you ever been in combat?
2. Have you ever been wounded in combat?

My guess is that your answer will be no. I generally find that people who badmouth the Navy (or Corpsmen to be more specific) tend to be REMF's that have no need for a Corpsman. For the most part, any Marine who has been where the metal meets the meat, has a true appreciation and love for his Doc.

I have had WWII, and Vietnam veterans shake my hand and with tears in their eyes, thank me for doing what I did over in Iraq.

I was at a Veterans Day ceremony where they read my Bronze Star citation out and a 80 year old Marine combat veteran tried to give me his seat so I could sit down.

I may be wrong, but I suspect that you have no idea what we saw when we looked into each others eyes. I saw respect for a Marine that did the same things I've had to do. He saw the only chance in hell he would have to survive if he was hit in battle.

As far as the money, you can keep it. If it really means that much to you then please, have it.

When I was hooking and jabbing with some insurgents that were trying to kill me, I promise you that money was the furthest thing from my mind.

First in my mind was, "Please don't let any more of my Marines get hit right now!"

Second was that hopefully by being there my little brothers wouldn't have to be there doing the same thing in ten years.

I certainly am not doing this job for the money. Do I get paid? Yes. I get paid enough to cover my living expenses when I'm home and make a car payment so I have means of transportation in the rear. I get paid just enough to pay my bills and maybe, if I save, I can go out and make a few jumps from time to time. I'm okay with that. I knew the deal when I joined.

I packed my shit and got on the plane knowing damn well I may never come back. I was okay with that. I knew the deal when I joined. I love my country, and I'll fight to the death to protect her and her interests.

[slug 1]

Hi Dex
hi Dex

It's hard to put a value on the personnel reward of having saved a human life. Medic's, Corpsmen are priceless and have a very challenging job. Your #1 in my book.

BTW I was never in combat I was in the Air force we don't do combat
Your also a asset The training kicks in and immediate reaction.

R.I.P.

[crozby 0]

Lighten up man, they were only having a laugh. Like you said, Branches of the service have always taken cracks at each other and I'm sure nothing is going to change. There really is no need to turn this into a pissing competition.

[rhino 0]

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1. Have you ever been in combat?

Yes. To this day I am not allowed to share the details.

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2. Have you ever been wounded in combat?

Thankfully no...

And I wasn't bad mouthing the Navy. We were making fun in case you couldn't tell. Marines have always calles the navy squids and the Navy has always called the Marines Jar heads.

I have the right to poke fun at navy boys ANY DAMNED TIME I PLEASE and I will continue to do so out of fun and brotherhood...

Now...

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He saw the only chance in hell he would have to survive if he was hit in battle.

I appreciate the fact that you were awarded the bronze star. I appreciate the fact that you saved some of my brothers lives. Thank you.

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I suspect that you have no idea what we saw when we looked into each others eyes

Yes you are wrong.. In a big way. People on here that know me have no doubt that I stand for what I believe in.. I love my country and believe in it very much.

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I certainly am not doing this job for the money.

NOR was I.

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I love my country, and I'll fight to the death to protect her and her interests.

I feel the same way...

I still don't see a problem with the unit deciding AT LEAST where the money goes.

Those of you that seem to think in your brain housing groups that I am in any way trying to lessen the honor of being a servicemember are WAAAAAY of track...

Enough said...

Rhino

[skydyvr 0]

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Bam! Well written.. My post goes to the root of the issue...

Interesting you of all people would call a post identifying our troops as "joe bag of donuts and his squad" well written.

Coming from a family with a long and honorable military history, I think it is extremely poorly written, especially in consideration that the post is also extremely critical of those who "don't get it" ( i.e., go along with his way of thinking).

. . =(_8^(1)

[rehmwa 2]

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And I wasn't bad mouthing the Navy. We were making fun in case you couldn't tell. Marines have always calles the navy squids and the Navy has always called the Marines Jar heads.

The Navy did try to sell our highly successful subdivision (Marines) about 15 years ago. It wasn't financially doable as we'd have had to pay too much to environmentally dispose of the principle training materials (big bags of rocks).

Anyway - do you really expect the Army to storm the beaches?

The Nuclear Navy (hide and seek, good hunting, and my favorite - "Silent but Deadly" which strangely enough also applies to airplane rides in our sport)

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rhino 0]

Hey man.. You drive the boats we will stick a bayonette in anyone that tries to get you

[LouDiamond 1]

Apparently you have never served otherwise you would know that " joe bag of doughnuts or joe the ragbag" is a generic term used to describe an unspecified soldier, as in the example I used. It is not considered a derogatory term in the military. AFWIW, I am one of those guys crawling in caves looking for bad guys and probably have a better chance of finding our man than an average grunt. In case the term grunt doesn't sit well with you, it too is a term commonly used. And if my team finds him, the last thing me or any of my guys will be thinking about is collecting 25mil. If anyone thinks finding someone over here should be an easy task you obviously are unfamiliar with the terrain and the people we are dealing with.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[rhino 0]

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And if my team finds him, the last thing me or any of my guys will be thinking about is collecting 25mil.

Understood. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get it just as a civilian would for getting him out of that cave.

By the way...

Thank you for what you are doing... I personally appreciate your service.. My family appreciates it.. Be safe, and I hope you nail that rat bastard!

Semper Fi!

Rhino

[skydyvr 0]

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And if my team finds him, the last thing me or any of my guys will be thinking about is collecting 25mil.

I sincerely wish you the very best.

. . =(_8^(1)

[slug 1]

Hi Lou

I'm a old fart and am just amazed by the power of the internet you way over there at work and we can almost discuss the jumping scene with you in real time.

As far as collecting the bountyWhy don't we go a step further and pay you guy's the same we're paying the contractor's your job is probably a lot more dangerous than a contractor's for a lot less pay.

Equal pay for equal work!

Stay safe. From what I'm seeing almost everyone pro or anti war, political cons or liberal still supports what you guy's are doing. I know i wouldn'y want to change places with you for any amount of money.

But it's not about the money it's about being a pro.

R.I.P.

[Frenchy68 0]

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But it's not about the money it's about being a pro.

I may be wrong, but I think that's what Lou has been repeating over and over and over... If one does it for the money, he/she should not be there in the first place.

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[Tonto 1]

They can get paid - as long as they pay all the expenses involved in training, equiping, transporting, feeding etc as though they were a private contractor.

I think that would leave them in a lot of debt. The guys who found Sadam were not paid.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[rhino 0]

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I think that would leave them in a lot of debt.

Training, feeding and transporting a unit of 100 crack commandos wouldn't cost but a few million dollars. 25 mil is alot of cash.. Not to mention the state department is contemplating doubling the reward on Osama.

The soldiers that captured Sadham should have been able to designate the charity the money went to.. Instead, uncle sam wiped his brow and said "thank goodness I own their asses so I don't have to fess up the cash"..

It's the troops job.. sure, sure whatever.. A deal is a deal.. If a reward is offered it should be paid out somehow..

Rhino

[rehmwa 2]

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But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get it just as a civilian would for getting him out of that cave.

I see you visualizing some civilian using a bouncer's hold on OBL and walking him up to the local sheriff and "claimin' that there bounty on da poster dere."

IMO - I suspect the reward money is intended to tempt one of the "inner circle" to betray OBL's location to the military or even betray him to come to a place where we can pick him up. Our men would still go and get him out of the cave/whatever and the money would go to the other guy and not the extraction team.

So, again IMO, your picture of what 'capture' or 'leads to capture' is not accurate in terms of the reward. Frankly, it's highly oversimplified to the intent of the reward. Maybe that's the disconnect here. IMO

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rehmwa 2]

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It's the troops job.. sure, sure whatever.. A deal is a deal.. If a reward is offered it should be paid out somehow..

Nuts - a commendation to the team for saving the taxpayers millions of dollars is more correct. The money is expected to likely have to go to someone of another country - by doing our jobs and finding him first, we save ourselves the cost of essentially "bribing" a terrorist close to OBL.

Where do you think that money comes from? the tooth fairy? (This liberal blindness that considers tax money to be from some mystical governement coffer rather than collected from working citizens is strange - but it makes it much easier to be irresponsible with it and flagrant in spending).

Any other action is blatant political pandering to special interest groups (visualize some senator - likely from Massachusetts cashing in on the press of how he approved the bill to let a team of Marines decide to give $25 million in taxpayer monies to the "United Fund for Swimming Pools for Middle Income Children".)

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rhino 0]

Like I said

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uncle sam wiped his brow and said "thank goodness I own their asses so I don't have to fess up the cash"..