RE: military overcompensation

[Lubaolong]

Originally Posted by Greg Anderson

I may have misunderstood, many cars to see through.

Let me just try to convey that it is easy percieve all this as sour grapes. A toned down discussion of market equilibriums would have made your FINAL point that some members of the military may be overpaid. But being a right wing libertarian, ex LOG WOG, who calls combat troops overpaid meat shields while pining about your own short comings, has to rival Brat's pedo tendancy for self ostracism on sherdog. I just think there is a bit of communication issue on your side here.

Any how Merry X mas and good luck to and family with in the next year.

I agree. It was an error on my part. Mad props to all the E-1s getting shot at and E-5s sleeping in a bunk bed showering with 20 other men. From my experiences and those that I saw, we were way overpaid. I know not every single military person has it this good. Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings that had a grueling military career. Merry xmas.

[massgrunt]

Edit

Damn it, this one was really good.

Merry Christmas back.

[ktfordalord]

First of all, I think that we shouldn't complain about paying more money to the men and women who risk their lives to protect our freedoms.
Secondly, don't hate the soldiers for being smart enough to let the millitary pay for their educations and give them a good salary. That's just smart planning.
Lastly, those numbers aren't really realistic. That's a best case scenario average given by recruiters that make money off of others joining the millitary.
All in all, the gov't can pay soldiers whatever they want. If you don't like it, join yourself and get in on the money... unless you're scared!

[evansusmc]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

$24,000 is your taxable base pay. This doesn't include the free housing and food, or if you live off base, your tax free BAS and BAH. The 2nd engineering salary I provided is also for the Honolulu area average. Same location. Even if you look at places with lower paying BAH and BAS, there isn't a huge difference in the pay gap. Military members are paid more than they are worth IMO. No offense to anyone that is in the military or has served. I think a lot of jobs in the world are overpaid.

I would be living in a barracks room if I was stationed there so I would not get any "housing". The chowhall food would be what I eat and yeah its free but its not exactly the Outback Steakhouse. Also did you even factor in how much it cost to live in Hawaii? ITS TERRIBLE!! Way too expensive.

Also Timmy does not have to go to a combat zone. WE DO!

Joe likes to surf? who cares, good for him. I almost puke every time ocean/salt water touches my mouth. Not to mention the last time I was in the ocean I stepped on a sea urchin (felt like someone stuck electric needles in my foot) so anyways...

Some of your figures were inaccurate anyways.

[evansusmc]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

They are two seperate career paths. One earns money before the other because their job doesn't require any extensive education. Why should someone with nothing more than a high school diploma make more than a engineer 4 years after hs graduation? Why would he still be making more after even 8 years? Does that even make sense? Someone straight out of high school sits in an office, answers phones, types, shreds papers, and is making more money than an engineer that is highly educated and designing electrical components.

Working for an organization and going to school for YOURSELF are 2 different things.

Also having a 4 year degree in electrical engineering, psychology, pediattrition, or basket weaving does not make you a genious or a god. Some of the dumbest civilians I have ever met have a bachleors degree.

[evansusmc]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

I'm sure most seargents average $45-50k a year, regardless of job or location. I doubt many have more responsibilities than I did. I was the best and sat an E-7 position as an E-5.

From my resume:
Directed production efforts of 66 personel, employing 16 computerized communications systems valued at over $17 million to satisfy U.S. Pacific Command and national requirements. Managed unit's communications systems accumulation, processing, and transcription effort to satisfy Kunia Regional Security Operations Center (KRSOC) objectives.
• Established workloads, monitored mission activity, and implemented mission adjustments to enhance productivity.
• Ensured adherence to operating instructions governing acquisition, recording, and forwarding of voice communications.
• Performed spot and in-depth analysis to satisfy time-sensitive reporting requirements.
• Analyzed work centers' production statistics to detect trends and appraise performance.
• Developed and monitored training programs to meet position qualification and manning requirements.

About what I do now? In your dreams.

Sounds like a bunch of crap to me.

I am an E-5 and I nor any of my E-5 buddies make anywhere near $45-50k a year.

[evansusmc]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

You are quite the exception, and congrats to you, but the fact remains, this isn't the norm.

In 1999 (the most recent year for which reliable survey data are available), only 12 percent of enlisted have associate's degrees, 8 percent with bachelor's degrees, and 1 percent of those have advanced degrees. That tells you that 92% of the military enlisted (yes that includes senior NCOs) do not have any desire to finish a 4 year degree, eventhough it is free and easily obtainable to them.

Stats come from the Congressional Budget Office
http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=5108&sequence=1

Edit: I'm not saying anything about it being a get rich quick scheme or military people are stupid or anything else. Don't take offense to my comments. I am just saying it pays very well for the qualifications, and most people that join do so out of necessity.

So you think because we can't hack it in college that we join the military? How about the guys that do 4 years and THEN go to college? Ever think of that?

Or what about the people like me that did not go to college due to of the overwelming statistics of people who drop out of college when they go in straight out of Highschool? (it was around 40% in 99')

Some duty stations/units you end up in, you will have ample time to get a degree, some... you won't. Thats just how it is. Last year I had about 10 friends in my Squadran that had to dis-enroll from classes because of a deployment to Afghanistan.

And Tuition was not 100% free until 2003.

You mention a survey from 1999??? you think those surveys from 6 years ago really have any accuracy to this date?

Lubastank, you are making the Airforce look bad. And that is not an easy thing to do.

[evansusmc]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

If you were stuck in a barracks as an E-5 with roommates eating chowhall food and only living off your base pay, you may very well be making much more now.

WRONG!!! you piece of shit!! I am living proof that this is not true.

[Workers United]

Capitalism requires troops for resource expropriation, and thus needs a merc army of people who either have little other options or have been watching Spike TV too much and have bought into the whole be a Patriot and help people around the world bullcrap propaganda commercials.

Of course they have to offer some money to people, after all these troops produce billions of dollars in profits for people like Exxon Mobil and Haliburton.

These troops are not fighting to protect most of our freedoms, they are fighting to protect and maintain the rising profits of major corporations and capitalism as a whole.

I'll be waiting for anybody, anywhere to attempt to disupte this.

[Cmart]

Originally Posted by Workers United

Capitalism requires troops for resource expropriation, and thus needs a merc army of people who either have little other options or have been watching Spike TV too much and have bought into the whole be a Patriot and help people around the world bullcrap propaganda commercials.

Of course they have to offer some money to people, after all these troops produce billions of dollars in profits for people like Exxon Mobil and Haliburton.

These troops are not fighting to protect most of our freedoms, they are fighting to protect and maintain the rising profits of major corporations and capitalism as a whole.

I'll be waiting for anybody, anywhere to attempt to disupte this.

Didin't the Soviet Union, a communist entity, bankrupt itself via military buildup? Were they watching too many Spike TV commericals?