Gralala 0 #1 February 15, 2005 sorry for the length.... Subject: Military Pay 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 "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." -- Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbarry 0 #2 February 15, 2005 This fake letter's been spinning around the net for a few years now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gralala 0 #3 February 15, 2005 Yeah, I know but wanted to get some feedback.... Am working with a several soldiers that are transitioning to the "real" working world... and much of the letter's basis is reading true "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." -- Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nanook 1 #4 February 15, 2005 There's a lot that is left out on that airman's estimate of income. Like free medical and dental, housing. Is that airman living on base or collecting bah? Me; if I count only taxable income, I make the median US income. If all my allowances and other stuff come into pay (everyone gets some sort of tax free allowance) my income almost doubles. Far as families on WIC and food stamps? It does take some effort to put yourself in a position to where you are all of a sudden supporting a family. Why so early? I am for raising pay for military families but you got to understand that most of these food stamp recepients put themselves in this particuar situation. We have programs and training for new arrivees. They still farm babies. As far as the difference in pay? For the most part, that is true. But one has to watch out again what is not being said. Is some of these jobs that pay that much require a degree a normal E-3 doesn't have? Is that pay only in the DC area or is it standard throuout the US? Is that job always have openings or are you competing with the best of the Field? I am always for more money. But irresponsible people regardless of rank is always going to be broke. The number one reason according to Navy Relief Society why Sailors Marines ect. are always broke? Irresponsibility._____________________________ "The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbarry 0 #5 February 15, 2005 QuoteYeah, I know but wanted to get some feedback.... Am working with a several soldiers that are transitioning to the "real" working world... and much of the letter's basis is reading true Understood. I do see some truths in there, but only half-truths. What about job training? He certainly didn't go into the AF with those skills. Clothing, housing, food, all paid for. COLA (does this still exist?) adjustments. An EM under E-5 who's married and/or starting a family has self-imposed problems. Sure. You have a marketable skill? Then don't re-up. The military understands that. Outright sells that aspect during recruiting. Cost of doing business. As for tough service, and long deployments, it's all volunteer and it's a sacrifice you make to serve and pay back your country for freedom. Does this guy really think an E-3 should be making $80k a year? I thank this guy (if he really exists) and everyone like him for their service, just as others thanked me for mine. But this "letter" comes pretty darn close to whining. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jazzjumper 0 #6 February 15, 2005 QuoteThis fake letter's been spinning around the net for a few years now. Actually, this letter isn't a fake. Mike Bragg worked for me at the 75th Communications Squadron at Hill when he penned this one, and another gem to a female congresswoman from Colorado (the name escapes me now.) Yes, there is training you get, other no compensated salary benefints (medical/dental/30 days of paid vacation, etc). However, the basic point of the letter was to say: "Hey Miss Williams, you don't know what you are talking about!" Whining or not, I get what he is saying. I just got back from a 4-month rotation is relatively good conditions...and it still sucks. Yes, the letter had been peice-meal from a number of other letters. However, A1C Bragg did write this one, and a few others. No matter how good she looks, someone, somewhere is sick of her shit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #7 February 15, 2005 QuoteActually, this letter isn't a fake. Sort of. The Cindy Williams who wrote the original worked for the congresional budget office, and was not the fomer actress. The actress Cindy Williams has been burried in hate mail. http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/gipay.asp _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jazzjumper 0 #8 February 15, 2005 QuoteQuoteActually, this letter isn't a fake. Sort of. The Cindy Williams who wrote the original worked for the congresional budget office, and was not the fomer actress. The actress Cindy Williams has been burried in hate mail. http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/gipay.asp _Am But the letter itself was real. I make no claims about where it was published or who it was intended for. No matter how good she looks, someone, somewhere is sick of her shit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
