Military Personnel being screwed - Page 2

LXAAlum · #16 10-02-2003, 01:18 PM

WASHINGTON (CNN) --Wounded service members in U.S. military hospitals will no longer be presented with a bill for meals upon discharge, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The idea -- not precisely true, as it turned out -- that U.S. troops, some of whom had lost limbs or were gravely wounded, were being charged $8.10 per day for meals while they were in military hospitals outraged some members of Congress.

What was happening was that the wounded patients were being asked to reimburse the government for what is known as their basic subsistence allowance -- money they get in their paychecks to cover meals.

Because they did not have to buy meals in the hospital, they were asked to return that allowance, a step required by law.

But Pentagon officials admit it seemed like adding insult to injury.

Congress quickly changed the law, and effective Wednesday active-duty military patients will get meals free and be allowed to keep their meal allowance.

A spokesman at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington said the hospital has been averaging about 40 patients from the war in Iraq, so the financial impact amounts to about $324 a day.

In addition to military personnel wounded in action, the law also applies to those hurt while "engaged in hazardous service" or "in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war."

It is already the case that some troops in combat get meals and get to keep their allowance.

Technically it's double-dipping, but the amount of money is small, and no one at the Pentagon wants to nickel and dime the troops who put their lives on the line.

ajuhdg · #17 10-02-2003, 01:34 PM

Okay, I hope this isnt' too long...but I am able to speak on this topic first hand. I am a military spouse, and my husband has been in Baghdad since May 1st.

For those of you who don't know, Tricare is EXCELLENT insurance for activite duty and retired military. It is better than ANY civilian insurance I've ever had. I know, because I am seven months pregnant and have gotten amazing care with no co-pay. Since, I am away from our duty station (Germany) I am able to choose a doctor where I am. There is far less red-tape than with a regular HMO.

As far as military pay. Deployed military members are paid quite significantly more (although still not enough for what they're doing) for their service. Not only do we recieve separation pay (for service members with dependents), hazardous/combat duty pay, and rations pay (for meals)...they do not pay taxes either, which takes a big chunk of anyone's pay check. (Which IS taken out in during non-combat times, i.e. when we're at our normal duty station.) Bethany1982 is absolutely correct with the 'double-dipping' information. The money 'owed' will actually be taken out of the pay check, and not 'billed' to the soldier.

As far as the two week leave. My husband's leave has just come down, and he'll be coming to the states between December 9-28...which just so happens to fall on my due date. He was originally told that he could only be flown to Germany, because that is our duty station but that was changed. I'm just thrilled that he is able to come to see his son be born. I don't care what the cost!

As far as the 'Wag the Dog' war comment that was made....I'm going to be very civil and just say that my husband and thousands of other men and women are in Iraq right now, as you sit on your computer judging, guaranteeing your right to make those comments. I truly hope that not everyone is naive enough to believe what they hear on TV and read in the paper. I doubt the government has told us everything, and I personally like it that way. It helps make sure that my husband is safe, and he will be able to come home. He believes that he is there for a reason, and quite honestly, that's good enough for me.

aj

LXAAlum · #18 10-02-2003, 01:42 PM

Congratulations on getting your husband back in time for your delivery - that is awesome. It is also rare, so count your blessings.

Following deployment, any new father's on board whose children were born while we were away, were always the first ones allowed off the ship for some extremely tearful reunions.

Munchkin03 · #19 10-02-2003, 01:46 PM

At one point, our local paper did a side-by-side analysis of Tricare as opposed to private insurers (not HMOs or PPOs), and the insurance that I (through Daddy) have was heads and shoulders above Tricare.

For every story about how great it is, I've heard 10 horror stories. If you compare it to an HMO, yes, then it might be better.

Let it be said now--I don't think non-commissioned officers are paid very well. Whether or not I agree with the war is immaterial. But, some of the benefits (base housing or a housing allowance, access to lower-priced goods through the BX and Commissary, etc) outweigh the relatively low pay. I mean, where else can an 18 year old who barely finished high school have access to such benefits?

docetboy · #20 10-02-2003, 03:04 PM

I think everyone should take a look at this poem. It is rumored to be written by Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, Sergeant, USMC.

It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

MereMere21 · #21 10-02-2003, 04:40 PM

I support our troops - oppose the war

I don't understand why people are taking my comments to mean I'm against the military?!?! I have several loved ones over in Iraq right now - my best guy friend is in the 101st Airborne. I'm not sitting on my computer judging the servicemen and women - I posted an opinion on what I heard from the news and from what my friends had told me.

AKA_Monet · #22 10-02-2003, 07:03 PM

Docetboy and ajuhdg--

No disrespect toward you or all that you and your significant others do...

But IMHO, I think all of us owe it to our service personnel that did fight for our freedoms to have as much help as they possibly could need given this time of war.

IMHO, I think that Big Business ought to foot that bill to allow our service personnel all the kinds of actions that are needed and not just our government...

Allow any Corporate contractor an amount of tax leniency to give some sort of voucher system that either could be seen as a loan based on military need or an in-kind grant that the personnel can decide to pay back with some type of minor community education and service so that as a whole, our military personnel AND our civilians can come back home and re-integrate in society.

I do not care if some vet double-dips for food. I personally feel I at least owe that vet something... But it is pretty jacked up if that soldier comes back, disabled and unable to receive his or her proper due--then, we turn around and say they cannot eat or go home...

Hayle... Some of these soldiers are lucky if they can utter the words home--like, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder--or whatever they are going to call it, now... Do you really think we should limit these courageous fellows?

ajuhdg · #23 10-02-2003, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MereMere21
I support our troops - oppose the war

I don't understand why people are taking my comments to mean I'm against the military?!?!

Okay, I'm sorry...but I really hate to hear this! To me and to my husband and his whole platoon this is basically like saying," I support you, I just don't support what you're doing."

This topic was heavily debated in this thread: What does it mean to "support the troops"?

aj

docetboy · #24 10-02-2003, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MereMere21
I support our troops - oppose the war

Isn't this an oxymoron???

MereMere21 · #25 10-02-2003, 10:36 PM

whatever you want to call is it fine

like I said, I support our troops but that doesn't mean I have to agree with this war

DeltAlum · #26 10-02-2003, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ajuhdg
Okay, I'm sorry...but I really hate to hear this! To me and to my husband and his whole platoon this is basically like saying," I support you, I just don't support what you're doing."

In fact, that is EXACTLY what she is saying. But that doesn't imply non support for your husband or his comrades-in-arms. Nor does it say that what they are doing is wrong on their part.

What it says is that she doesn't believe that the politicians who sent your husband over there did the right thing. She has every right to that belief.

I think that's a lot differnt than not supporting him and them.

If you want to see non-support for our troops, take a look back at the Vietnam era. I don't think our troops will be spit on or ridiculed by the any portion of the American public when they return.

docetboy · #27 10-02-2003, 11:17 PM

For anyone who may be interested, Delta and Southwest Airlines have issued special military-discount rates for soldiers on R and R that drastically cut down the price of plane tickets purchased with little or no advanced warning.

When the public complains, the airlines listen.

RACooper · #28 10-02-2003, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
In fact, that is EXACTLY what she is saying. But that doesn't imply non support for your husband or his comrades-in-arms. Nor does it say that what they are doing is wrong on their part.

What it says is that she doesn't believe that the politicians who sent your husband over there did the right thing. She has every right to that belief.

I think that's a lot differnt than not supporting him and them.

If you want to see non-support for our troops, take a look back at the Vietnam era. I don't think our troops will be spit on or ridiculed by the any portion of the American public when they return.

I think you have got it right.... in other words she supports the individual troops but not the people that sent them there... they are doing the best that they can do with the job they were handed. However she doesn't support the reasons they are there in the first place..... much like myself.... I know many troops over in Iraq (and Afghanistan like one of the two 2 Canadians killed today) and I have sent them care packages and exchange letters. However they know I was completely against the reasoning that sent them there.... I respect and admire the individuals over there and they respect and understand my objection to the mission.

docetboy · #29 10-02-2003, 11:51 PM

Part of supporting our troops is supporting the leadership. How can you support the soldier when you openly criticize the people putting their life in the line that they must have 100% trust and faith in in order to complete the task they have been given???

Hey bob - Good luck in Iraq! God Bless! God Bless America! Um, oh yeah - what the hell is bush doing sending you over there???
----Doesn't exactly send a supporting message.

RACooper · #30 10-03-2003, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by docetboy
Part of supporting our troops is supporting the leadership. How can you support the soldier when you openly criticize the people putting their life in the line that they must have 100% trust and faith in in order to complete the task they have been given???

Hey bob - Good luck in Iraq! God Bless! God Bless America! Um, oh yeah - what the hell is bush doing sending you over there???
----Doesn't exactly send a supporting message.

I thought it was the freedom to critize or voice differing opinions was one of the freedoms they are fighting to uphold.....