Thread: ashamed

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im saddened that i have to make a post like this after my long absense from this forum, but i have to admit that im highly ashamed of my fellow countryman and the service our goverment gives our troops.

The misses and I were out at a local nightclub tonight and the marine corps ball was being held a few blocks away, so naturally a few servicemen came to the bar to celebrate. i was blessed to talk to a few of them , as well as buy a drink or two. i was saddened at the end of the evening that one of them was unable to pay for the drinks that he and his lovely wife had consumed so i had to pay for him, a small price for me, but sad that he does not make enough after 6 tours to have a nice night on the town.

Im hurt that this happens to our young men and women who put their life on the line for us!

There could be a lot more to that story John than you know. I'm not saying that we overpay our military people, we don't, but as a person goes up in rank the salaries increase and there are lots of other incentives like re-enlistment bonuses, etc.

For lots of young people today the service is an option to trying to find a job on the outside. My ex-Girlfriends Son was one such example. He floundered around at low paying jobs when he got out of High School and after a couple of years decided to go into the Air Force. He and his wife were stationed in Montana and after a while she decided to join the Air Force too. He has been at it for about 10 years now and has worked his way up to being a Recruiter. Last I knew of him he owned his original home in Montana, and one in Atlanta where he transferred to. They owned two brand new cars and were building a solid financial base for themselves.

I've also worked with quite a few retired military people, including a few Captains and one full bird Colonel. They were all very comfortable financially and enjoyed a pretty good retirement package. So it all depends on your rank and like every other job as you work hard and move up the ladder you make more. But at the entry level you aren't going to get rich........I remember having to scrounge bus fare home when I was in. The other thing is that our service people enjoy a pretty good benefit package, including health care, housing, food, educational assistance, VA loans, and off base housing allowances.

It was nice of you to buy them their drinks and I'm sure they appreciated someone saying thanks that way.

Don

I know i dont know the mans whole story, and i understand that there could be a million reasons his bank card did not work, but it still saddend me to watch a guy that has lead his men in 6 tours to have to come out with shame on his face and tell his wife tha card was not working.

I think i was saddened more at how they all were treated by the general public! It just seemed to me that overall the public just dont care what these guys do for us, and that was the topping of the evening. i think they deserve way more respect than they get, and i think none of them should evr have to pay for a drink again!

The Fort Hood incident is a reminder of what the military is doing and that is fighting for our freedom. Our church this morning held a special prayer for the families involved and the military in general,Also our leaders.

America needs to wake up and under stand we are at war like it or not.War stinks but it has been with us since the beginning.There will never be a peaceful world but we should never stop trying to see it come about.

When a group of terrorist say we want to kill you and see your way of living and lifestyle be defeated and done away with,I take that seriously.

I think that if you live in this country it should be mandantory to serve in some capacity for your country. JMI

I'm glad you bought his drinks - but I do have to say that he has for some reason, been living beyond his means. Does he make enough? Without knowing his rank or his circumstances, not a clue. If he's an EM, and after 6 tours, he has to have time in grade and seniority and should be at least a "Gunny". He is a lifer at this point. His credit card is maxed out!!! He should not be out drinking/partying if he can't afford it financially. Yes, I'm a vet - Viet Nam era. Yes, I was broke much of the time. If I couldn't afford to go out, I didn't. I hate to say it, but there is probably a kid or several that is missing out on clothes, food, or maybe even a sports team.

Sorry - bitch me out, but........you got suckered!!!

This is a tough one – several issues at play here. The military has never been “over paid”, especially in the enlisted ranks. I was drafted and opted to join the Air Force in 1971. When my wife and I were married in 1973, I was an E-4 and needless to say, we were tighter than skin on a grape and many times, we had to wait, wait, wait to do a lot of the things we really wanted to do. I almost always had a part time job to supplement our military pay. As has been mentioned by Dave, it’s called “living within your means” and requires that gratification be delayed.

I certainly appreciate the sacrifice that men and women make when they enlist. It’s a choice and in this economy, probably a really good one for a lot of people. En E-6 at ten makes $36K a year base – not a lot, but special pay, medical and housing allowances just about double the buying power depending on where one is stationed.

It’s all about choice. I too would have bought a drink for a solder, but there are a lot reasons his credit/debit card could have been refused. We need to respect and honor these brave men and women who make up our military (see my signature) but remember too that they are responsible for their finances – partying is an optional activity.

Regards All
Glenn

I too am a Vet and I agree with Itoldyouso,IC2 and Glennsexton.
I am glad you bought thier drinks but just like the guys said
you still have to use some sence about spending.
Him and his wife should not have been out drinking if they
knew they didn't have money.
There are lots of pluses to being in the millitary.
It's been years since I was in and Army and they are still paying for my hospital bills.
I've taken years of Chemo and have had about 4 operations and if it was
not for the VA hospital I would be broke and in the street buy now.
Since I am disabled thru the millitary I didn't have to pay for any of my
operations. And yes I did have some insurance but even the co pays
would have killed me. Rewards don't allways come all at once and I thank
God everyday for my gifts and the VA. Kurt