(no subject)
Military Pay - A MUST READ
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 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 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
IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW
OUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN. THANK YOU.
THIS LETTER SHOULD BE APPLAUDED BY ANYONE WHO'S EVER SERVED OR HAD A FAMILY
MEMBER SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES! THIS YOUNG MAN DESERVES A MEDAL!