MaDD Blogger

Military pay

Not sure how most of you would feel about the following,
but I believe it is worth sharing! Wish the soldiers request
could come true!!!!!!!!!!

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(s)
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 her 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 opened 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

Untitled Comment

{ 1:14 AM, June 17, 2005 } { Posted by bonsai1371 }

Right on Airman!!!! Somehow between DFAS and my account there seems to be a runaway dollar or ten too hahahaha. Anyhow Ive been in that fighting position, in the cold desert night; and for the pay it definitely aint worth it. How ever when I am a senior citizen on my death bed, I will know that I made a difference, that I gave of myself: selflessly and didnt complain about it. I dont always agree with what our government does, I dont even agree with everything that The Marine Corps does. Thats just life, and I dont have to agree with anything but I HAVE to do my job. Let em complain...Fuck em Fuck em all some will just never learn.
CPL. P 1371 USMC