Quote Originally Posted by vt_maverick View Post
T/J, but we do give a lot of money to our troops. Free healthcare, housing, GI bill, hazardous duty pay, life-long disability benefits, great retirement plan for those that stay in, and the gift of nearly guaranteed employment following separation (at least for those continuing to live/work in military heavy areas). No doubt great sacrifices are made for these benefits, but it's not like they're going away empty handed. Maybe E-1/2/3 are underpaid, but it makes up for itself over time IMO.

FWIW, my wife was active duty and is still in the Guard, so I do speak from some experience.

Apperently you have not read the condition of military hospitals thanks to Bush or the push to bill a GIs personal insurance for battle injuries being pushed by Obama. The military is the only brangh of the government still being paid less than the private sector in return for more security. Now government flunkies are making out like bandits thanks to a $700 Billion tax payer funded stimulous that was used to keep government employees employed while millions in the private sector got taxed and laid off.