GreekChat.com Forums - Airman's Response To Washington Times

Hello my fellow GCer's!

I received another email regarding the military and their pay.
For those of you who are not aware, I am the daugher of a career Marine. Therefore, such emails, articles, etc. are of great interest to me. I post them here to share and to get your thoughts and opinions.

I'm not passionate about politics. However, I do get irritated by these Hollywood types who think that b/c they are wealthy and famous they some how know what is best for our country and the men and women who serve. Do any of you feel the same way?

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This Airman's response to the Washington Times should be
printed in all newspapers across America. Especially now when the President is calling up more Reserves and National Guardsmen. Get this response out to everyone you know. It's time the Jane Fonda's & Sean Penn's of this country wise up and support the troops who defend them.

Military pay article:

On 12 Nov, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and
Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times,
denouncing the pay raise(s) coming to service members'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 have 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 op-ed 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"