Military Pay

Elwood · February 3, 2003

I got this in an email today, and thought I would share it with you guys.

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 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 leave and earnings statement

(LES), I see that I make

$1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that

through Windows' 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

(AFNCC), where I am part of the team responsible for the administration of

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, nor does it pay less than this. No,

this

job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum. I'm sure you can draw

the obvious conclusions.

Also, you tout increases to Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance

for Subsistence (housing and food allowances, respectively) as being a

further boon to an already overcompensated force. Again, I'm curious as to

where this money has gone, as BAH and BAS were both slashed 15% in the Hill

AFB area effective in January 00.

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

AFDC, 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 DOD 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 DFP (Defensive Fire

Position, the modern-day 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"

Wingnut · February 3, 2003

Ummm, sorry to break it to you, but thats not entirely accurate.

I did my time (10 years) in the service, and would never say that I was "overcompensated" for my service.

But Cindy Williams of Laverne and Shirley did not write that. Cindy Williams of MIT did write a version of it though.

For clarification go here:Snopes

While I don't like her opinions, lets give credit where credit is due, and let Shirley stay golden in my eyes.

By the way, that website can be a way to kill a couple of hours at work. There is tons of useless info there.

k1500chevy97 · February 3, 2003

more than they
deserve.

WTF

These people are defending this country and they don't deserve a pay raise

Kinda makes me pissed off to see that kind of s*%t

Elwood · February 3, 2003

But Cindy Williams of Laverne and Shirley did not write that. Cindy Williams of MIT did write a version of it though.

For clarification go here:Snopes

While I don't like her opinions, lets give credit where credit is due, and let Shirley stay golden in my eyes.

The funny thing is I didn't even notice that part. I saw the name and then right to the letter. I never even read the part that said "Laverne & Shirley", had you not replied I wouldn't have caught it.

Wingnut · February 3, 2003

The funny thing is I didn't even notice that part. I saw the name and then right to the letter. I never even read the part that said "Laverne & Shirley", had you not replied I wouldn't have caught it.

Yeah, but it still shows to go ya, even MIT has wingnuts.

And they are breeding. Twinkies project

bummed-n-Md · February 3, 2003

23 years in the Marine Corps and I can gaurantee, I NEVER felf over paid or over compensated.

Like the old saying goes, "walk a mile in a man's shoes before you any comments on their life"

bummed!

95whtZR2 · February 3, 2003

I prefer this quote:

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."

-Anonymous