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Letter from a SOLDIER.
- Apr 24, 2009 at 5:39 PM
- By
- Comments (5) Total Views (170) Everyone can see this journal post.
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 2.9% wage
increase 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
Comments:
OMG, that article, I hope, is an eye opener. I hate that people (civilian fmaily, friends, etc) seem to think soldiers are 'well-to-do" and can't understand why they can't afford to fly or drive "home" every holiday/ birthday/anniversary. Ugh! Thanks for the post!
I like this!!! Can i borrow it and place it on my facebook?
Sure! Anything to help spread the word:)
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thank you for posting this far to many people do not believe the american soldier gets paid to much. i as a army wife no that this is not true. maybe this will open peoples eyes.
- littlemommy_of4
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