Military folk, it this for real?

[Dale Mabry]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=5&u=/nm/20040629/ts_nm/iraq_usa_reserve_dc

If it is, it's just another reason why I would not sign a 4 year contract to serve. I sign up for 4 years and end up having to give 12? So I could be out of the military for 7.5 years and making 6+ figures and they could call me back? Would they have to match my current salary? If not, that is bullshit.

 

[ALBOB]

Well, it is......................and it isn't. When you sign up for a "4 year tour", it's actually and 8 year tour. Whatever time you put into active duty gets subtracted from that 8 years so, in your example, you serve for 4 years and then are elligable to be recalled for the next four years. EVERYBODY signing up knows full well about this committment and they are reminded of it MANY, MANY, MANY time upon discharge. They even sign about a dozen and a half forms stating their knowledge of this committment.

Now, that's just for people who don't go all the way to retirement. Those of us who have served 20+ years and have officially retired are on Ready Reserve for the rest of our lives. Think about that as you're trying to get to sleep tonight, a 90 year old ALBOB defending our borders. Sleep tight.

 

[MaxMirkin]

Think about that as you're trying to get to sleep tonight, a 90 year old ALBOB defending our borders. Sleep tight.

That's actually a good thing. It's been widely documented that old people make funny, high-pitched squeling noices when they're being shot at. If that doesn't make for a great early-warning system, I don't know what does.

 

[copen73]

Like AlBob said we all know about the additional 4 years individual ready reserve when we first enlist. It is actually part of our contract that we sign. As of for retired personnel, well the military looks at it this way, as long as they are paying you then they have the right to recall you. This has been a round a lot longer than must of us have been alive. During Vietnam my father served with several retired Navy pilots who were recalled to active service. During Desert Storm my ex-wife's grandfather was sent a notice that he might be recalled to the Air Force, and he had been retired for more than 20 years.

 

[Dale Mabry]

So it is only 4 years if you didn't retire? What if you served 10 years and left for a civilian job? You have to serve 20 to retire, right? So you would not have to go back if you served 8 or more as long as it is less than 20 years?

 

[copen73]

You have it right Dale. You start out with 4 active and 4 inactive. For each year you serve over the original 4 they take a year off the inactive. So if you serve 6 years you only have 2 inactive. That is unless you retire.

 

[Dale Mabry]

I s'pose if you retire, it is true they are paying your ass pretty well. I don't wanna see Alboobies slackin either.

 

[Sean0621]

During this war many of my buddies have been held by that clause. Some people thought they were getting out this year and found out they'd be serving those two inactive years. My active service ends in 2008 but I could be called back to 2010. And this is all stuff you should be made well aware of by your recruiter, and like Albob said, you have to sign a million papers which state that when you swear in.

 

[ALBOB]

I don't wanna see Alboobies slackin either.

Who? ME?

 

[ALBOB]

And this is all stuff you should be made well aware of by your recruiter

For a while I WAS a recruiter. (I actually found out about the inactive protion of my committment at the MEPS station and kind of figured it was too late to back out so I figured, what the hell? That was back when........................well, let's just say it was a few years ago. )

 

[Sean0621]

You Air Force Recruiters. Actually MEPS is where my recruiter told me about it as I was swearing in. They don't let you get blind sided by anything. Oh but I did sign up to be a machine gunner, and he wound up coming back out right before I was ready to swear in and saying hey there's no more slots for machine gunner, but we do have a slot for field radio operator, they still go out with the infantry. Little did I know that the RO was the first one that gets killed out there. Yeah I'd like to find SSgt Gary and strangle him, but he left town for Maine.

 

[ZECH]

Think about that as you're trying to get to sleep tonight, a 90 year old ALBOB defending our borders. Sleep tight.

Wait.............how did you suddenly get two years younger??

 

[ALBOB]

Wait.............how did you suddenly get two years younger??

And dg806 scores a direct hit........................................asshole.

 

[Dale Mabry]

Yeah, one of my friends got sucked back in, he finishes this moonth, but he should have finished a while ago. He elected to stay in a couple months longer to make cash. I believe he intends on doing reserves to make some cash.

 

[ZECH]

And dg806 scores a direct hit........................................asshole.

I owed you one from yesterday!

 

[OceanDude]

Well, it is......................and it isn't. When you sign up for a "4 year tour", it's actually and 8 year tour. Whatever time you put into active duty gets subtracted from that 8 years so, in your example, you serve for 4 years and then are elligable to be recalled for the next four years. EVERYBODY signing up knows full well about this committment and they are reminded of it MANY, MANY, MANY time upon discharge. They even sign about a dozen and a half forms stating their knowledge of this committment.

Now, that's just for people who don't go all the way to retirement. Those of us who have served 20+ years and have officially retired are on Ready Reserve for the rest of our lives. Think about that as you're trying to get to sleep tonight, a 90 year old ALBOB defending our borders. Sleep tight.

I'd be more concerned with an old bitter fart with balistic missle command authority who was disgruntled that the rag-heads got him pulled off the golf course. I could visualize such acting out a fantasy 5 par hole-in-one shot on Medina with their shakey finger on the firing button.

OD

OD

 

[OceanDude]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=5&u=/nm/20040629/ts_nm/iraq_usa_reserve_dc

If it is, it's just another reason why I would not sign a 4 year contract to serve. I sign up for 4 years and end up having to give 12? So I could be out of the military for 7.5 years and making 6+ figures and they could call me back? Would they have to match my current salary? If not, that is bullshit.

Dale would you feel better knowing that they would give you the option to take the same pay as in civilian life in exchange for getting the most hazardous missions (currently riding as bomb lookout and shotgun in the lead humvee on marine patrols)? If you are blown to hamburger you are dead - the pay is irrelevant, the cost per pound just changes and your heirs get wealthy.

It looks to me like the Bush administration is using this policy to communicate the fact that our budget deficit needs a workover and the free ride is over. Most know that 1/3 of the national yearly tax budget is being paid to entitlement programs. With zero population growth and high taxes this country can not sustain this much longer without going bankrupt. For those that don't know the meaining of the word "entitlement" this mostly means the average taxpayer is working 2 months out of each year to pay for retired government workers to sit on their ass in retirement till they and their spouses die . I am all for reducing the deficit in this area and culling the ranks by demanding fullfillment of military obligations and accelerating the actuary tables. Let's get the old fart retirees out of retirement, out of their caddies, off the US highways and put them driving humvees out in front. OMG that was kind of rash of me but I am pisssed off having to drive behind double lanes of these slow moving guys in FL...

OD

 

[Mike51]

this is one OLD FART RETIREE who would glady go and serve again, and OD thanks for paying your taxes.....I make so much money each month I just dont know what to do with it all

 

[copen73]

Wow, Wow OceanDude,

First of all this recall action has nothing to do with the budget deficit and the Bush administration. This has always been an option for the Department of Defense. Clinton even enacted a stop loss (where they don't allow you to seperate or retire) during Bosnia. He also toyed with the idea of recalling some inactive troops. Remember the size of our active duty force is regulated by congress, and nearly 50% of our entire force is composed of Reservist and National Guard. Right now we have Reserve and Guard units which have been activated for 2 years or more. These people have civilian jobs too. To recall those who still have an inactive commitment means that we can release some of the Guard and Reserves.

Now on the comment that someone who is retired from the military need to get off there ass and earn there checks....well here is my reply. These people have devoted 20+ years to ensure your freedom. They pick up and gun and stood a post so that you don't have too. They did it with far to little pay, and lately, with fewer and fewer benefits. I have been a cop in the Air Force for almost 12 years, and I make way less than my civilian counter part with the same amount of training, time, and experince as I have. Do em a favor, when you meet someone who dedicated their life to protecting you, please do not think they don't deserve the retirement check. Instead, go up and shake their hand and say thank you.

 

[maniclion]

Every recruit knows that the obligation is for 8 years. That's the gamble you take when enlisting. At least you still have a military ID and can use the facilities after your discharge. The prices are alot cheaper at the commisaries especially here and it's cool to walk into the exchange with a goatee and long hair and see all the high and tights glaring at you. My friend had his eye brow pierced, dreads and a goat they stared at him like he was a leper when we'd go on base to pick-up our friends who were still doing time.

 

[Dale Mabry]

1)I didn't know they could still use the facilities/commissary. That commissary is one hell of a deal.

2)I would at least feel a little better if they gave me the civilian pay.

3)Part of the perk of going into the military is being able to retire early. Let's face it, alot of people in the military have it alot easier than they would like you to believe. Prior to 9/11, an Air Force friend of mine figured out the total hours he worked in a 2.5 year period and it was well under 1000 for the 2.5 years and he was taking home $40k per year, you can't beat that. He said that was fairly typical. Of course, once 9/11 hit he was working all of the time so there is a trade off. They were paying him the high salary basically to have him on call in the event of a war, which they decided to do. Honestly, when there is not a war going on, what do all of you military peope do? My father used to have a gov't contract to do lunches for a mountain warfare school. There was a lot of standing around going on, alot more than you would think. maybe it was just at that camp, who knows?

I must say one thing, the MPs pretty much had the shaft, they had to work regardless of war.

 

[OceanDude]

OK, OK, I just had a flippant moment there. I support the military.



I do admit to having a little bit of a bias though because I have seen so many "triple dippers" over my way. It use to be that if you were retired military you could go work for NASA with preferential hiring privileges and put in a 2nd career there (this was before they made you pay social security). Since they were receiving a retirement pension and insurance and all the base benefits (no sales tax) and not paying a penny of social security they had a ton of money coming in. Then after they put in 20 with NASA they would go work as an executive level employee with one of the large aerospace companies that they use to manage and oversee at NASA and get super high salaries since the civilian companies (companies like Rockwell, Boeing, United Technologies etc.) would figure that they had clout and inside knowledge with NASA contract budgets and awards. Then they only had to work 3 years and pay social security (for only 3 years) as a civilian worker to get FULL social security benefits. That???s TRIPLE dipping. These guys would buy huge boats and mansions and live like kings with 3 full retirement checks coming in every month plus consulting fees.



OK I feel better with that now out of my system.


OD

 

[OceanDude]

Bottom line - it sounds like we don't have enough regular troops in uniform. Is the all volunteer army working?

OD

 

[Pepper]

Well, I may get boo'd out of the room, but I think a year or two of service would be a great idea for ALL kids. If some did not want to do military, there can be other options for personal service. Two reasons 1) we need that service and 2) 18 is too damn young to hit college.

 

[Pepper]

Let me add, that it sure would have helped my fat, lazy, drunken ass get my shit in a pile sooner.

 

[OceanDude]

But Pepper, it also might have got all the shit in a hole 6 foot under. I fear I am starting to catch a mild dose of the liberal diesase. But I am thinking it would be a good idea taht when congress approvess wars or declares wars thet every member of congress should be required to be in theater for at least 4- 6 months for mini tour of duties to at least help pick up and care for the wounded or do personal berievement visits to those families of the slain.

OD

 

[Pepper]

Yeah, but I look back at the stupid stuff I did and running through a mine field actually seems safer

 

[Sean0621]

3)Part of the perk of going into the military is being able to retire early. Let's face it, alot of people in the military have it alot easier than they would like you to believe. Prior to 9/11, an Air Force friend of mine figured out the total hours he worked in a 2.5 year period and it was well under 1000 for the 2.5 years and he was taking home $40k per year, you can't beat that. He said that was fairly typical.

I understand that, but explain to me my pay as a Lance Corporal E-3 in the Marine Corps. I make 1353 a month but yet on active duty I've worked as much as 110 hours a week to about as little as 70 hours a week. I still have to pay for my MRE's but room and board is paid for, even though for 4 months of that my room and board was a sleeping bag, at leats when we were out doing an Fex. Now if you take 110 hours a week and get the hourly wage it comes out to roughly $3.07 an hour. Mind you we get taxed as well, unless we are over seas. So I only see about 1000 on average of my base pay. Now for 70 hours a week that wage comes to $4.83 an hour. Now I know it's different for Officers and SSGts and above, but as far as us E-1 through E-5, pay is rough, you really don't start making a decent amount until you make Sgt as far as I have seen. I certainly never took home more than $15,000 a year. I'm not exagerating anything here either, but I am still in the lower ranks as well the pay jump from LCPL to CPL is $1000 a month, so getting yourself promoted is a must if you plan to make a decent living in the military.

 

[maniclion]

My nickname was "Skate" when I was in, but so was everyone elses so it got kind of confusing.

 

[Rich46yo]

We should let our military people quadtriple dip if they can. After their service this country should give them a "free" education and they should go to the first in line for job hireing as well. It'll never happen however. The power elite in America are the same ones who have avoided any kind of service to their country. They are all for "freedom" as long as its someone elses kid doing the dieing for it.

My advice to young people in, or shortly going in the US military? There will be a time in your life, as in mine 25 years after I finished my tour, that you will look back at your service and say to yourself, "yaknow these were the best times of my life". I know there aint much pay in it, "much less when I was in", I know it can be dangerous, "I got sent to a few shitholes too", but this is a time when you will form bonds with your brothers and sisters in arms that will last a lifetime. Being in the military will change you for life, as in "for the better". You will see it if you come home on leave, and see your friends still hanging on the block as if time had stood still.

Being a soldier,sailor,marine, or airman is a great opportunity. Not all such opportunities can be weighed in dollars and cents. Take college courses, travel, play ball, dont waste a moment of your service time, "especially for bitching". I have always felt, since the days of my service, that every active,retired, or veteran member of the US military is my brother or sister.

Revel in your time in uniform. Because they are the "best days of your lives"..........................take care...............Rich