Washington Times piece on Military Pay( Please Read)

[Acensky 0]

"This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.

On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.

Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in our armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch up to you.

Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience." As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone -- obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it.


You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opined piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.


You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? Rubbish!

A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC"

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This was sent to me over myspace. Knowing how many of you are past and present service members I thought that you might like to read this.


Heather

Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

[DavidST 0]

Thats is an excellent and well written response.

But i bet that the Women still won't get the point

As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.

[warpedskydiver 0]

OLD NEWS but still worthy of a read

[jshatzkin 0]

Quote

But i bet that the Women still won't get the point

?? I don't understand this statement. What Women?

Jen

[Amazon 7]

I googled a passage that looked familiar and got this list of links


That being said.... I for one support any pay raises for our trrops/sailors/airmen/women that come along. I have been there and know how paltry a sum it really is.

We need to SHOW our people in uniform that we support them.. rather than the kind little homilies that are tossed about....

Thank you for your service needs to be backed up with some real action to make our service members lives and the lives of their families who ALSO serve this country by being there and putting up with the hardships associated with their service member family members service.


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=You+see%2C+I+am+an+American+fighting+man%2C+a+guarantor+of+your+First+Amendment+rights+and+every+other+right+you+cherish.+On+a+daily+basis%2C+my+brother+and+sister+soldiers+worldwide+ensure+that+you+and+people+like+you+can+thumb+your+collective+nose+at+us%2C+all+on+a+salary+that+is+nothing+short+of+pitiful+and+under+conditions+that+would+make+most+people+cringe.+We+hemorrhage+our+best+and+brightest+&btnG=Google+Search

When someone comes up with cuts..... perhaps some booddoggle program or weapons platform that is a waste of money.. but the PAY of our people in UNIFORM....are the best asset our military has... PAY THEM accordingly.

Thank you to ALL of you out there in whatever circumstances who are serving our country.

[Gravitymaster 0]

I support any pay raises for our military.
This article was more than 5 years ago. Why are you bringing it up now?

-

[bloody_trauma 2]

maybe if he wasnt a E-1 he'd make more. and those network admins he speaks of are people who have gotten a degree in networking and IT, not a guy who has a few month of training and experience in supporting the actual network admin that person being the sigo (signals officer ie 1LT, CPT, MAJ etc...)
but hes right be do only earn a pitence for what we do and what we are subjected to, it would be great if the military gave more pay and promotion priveledges for deploying and holding certain positions and it does for certain things like recruiting and drilling, but other than that personell actions hold no weight on our advancement

Fly it like you stole it

[TheBachelor 5]

This is an old "Urban Legend." See http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/gipay.asp

There are battered women? I've been eating 'em plain all of these years...

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

This is an old "Urban Legend." See http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/gipay.asp

The urban legend part is the supposition that it was the actress by that name that penned the op-ed. The response was real.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Lucky... 0]

I have no idea what the truth is in regard to this article. Was it Cindy Williams or no? Who cares, but what is with this 13% BS? They have never receivd 13% to my knowledge and now Bush is offering up 2.2% which is shameful. I think all 8 of CLinton's raises were above that, like at least 3% or more.

GI's should get:

1) No less than 5% per year

2) Not be taxed on any of it since they are gov and make shit anyway / don't have COnst rights. At least that should apply to the enlisted folks.

[Acensky 0]

It was sent to me over myspace. I had no idea about the dates.
I did a quick search on posts to see if it was a repost but nothing showed up.

I just thought that it was an interesting piece.



Heather

Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.