It's criminal that they're being forced to even having to wonder about this. 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43954150/ns/politics-more_politics/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43954150/ns/politics-more_politics/
Troops Ask: Will We Get Paid?
- Thread starter Marauder06
- Start date
What I don't understand is how the commander and chief can send men and women to war and then lie to them and say if the Republicans don't extend the debt the military won't get paid. Then turn around and scare the old and infirm and tell them they won't get their SS check. Truth is SS has a fund that can pay all benefits to 2035 but then again the government has borrowed some of that money.
I don't believe a Man could treat the troops this way so guess how I feel about this subject.
Bill
I don't believe a Man could treat the troops this way so guess how I feel about this subject.
Bill
All I will say is that I am going to be out of uniform soon, and when I am I’ll share some views relating to our CinC, congress, and military leadership. Until then I will just wonder if I’ll get paid…
Yeah I still got 60-90 depending (out of my hands at this point). Lucky you!
60 for me. Then the epic beard growing competition can begin!
It will be perfect timing, just as the weather starts to cool down here.
So a hypothetical situation. Let's say the troops don't get paid for a month and people in Iraq and Afghanistan say "fuck this" and make their own way home. Are they technically deserting? Even considering the government would have broken their contract.
If it was us yes, it would be desertion still but I'm not well versed on the UCMJ beyond enough knowledge to get by in a US base without getting in the shit. And when you do get in the shit just plead dumb Kiwi and say something about Hobbits and all is forgiven.
Yes, it would be desertion, and any number of other crimes which are punishable under UCMJ. Most of threats to not pay the troops "only" involve those stateside.
To even think about not paying troops during a time of war, is criminal. To force the troops into distraction thinking about whether their families will be able to make ends meet is ludicrous and akin to treason and sedition on the parts of the government who voiced it.
Don't pay Congress, the Senate, the Supreme Court and the VP and POTUS before you don't pay the troops in harms way.
Don't pay Congress, the Senate, the Supreme Court and the VP and POTUS before you don't pay the troops in harms way.
Doc you bring up a very good point in my estimation. Distraction isn't talked about much but I wonder if it gets kids killed. Back when the earth was cooling mail call every two weeks was bad enough you get a guy with a Dear John and you have to watch him for months because his mind isn't in the game. I can't imagine today with internet always there and the wife telling them they are fed up with little johnny and need you home to straighten him out and then along comes the Commander and Chief and on national TV he says I may not be able to pay the military. This has to be dangerous or are the troops today better equipped to handle this kind of thing?
Bill
Bill
It's very dangerous. It's also disastrous for morale and retention. Troops are fast getting tired of getting tossed around like a political football while all their families have to look forward to is another 12 months apart and the very real possibility that their servicemember might come back in a bag, or physically or mentally damaged for life. I'm sure many of them are thinking, "we're doing our jobs, why can't the people who got us into this in the first place do theirs?"
I have a hard time believing that this will ever happen....but....I also have a hard time believing that people actually think you can spend your way out of debt. (unless you happen to be the lucky lotto winner)
It is unbelievably messed up to consider not paying the men and women that volunteer to defend this nation. It's just as fucked up to use it as political leverage. In addition to the morale and retention issues, what type of effect would it have on recruitment? Would make a difference. Has there already been a change in recruitment numbers?
Depending on the effect, would it cause the branches and their Reserve and Guard counterparts to reconsider the change in recruitment age again? I believe I had read recently that earlier this year both the Army Reserve and National Guard returned the enlistment date to 35 from 42(?).
I realize that people don't generally enlist for the money, but one also has to be able to take care of their person as well as their families and could see it as putting off some potential recruits that would see it as a, "they really don't give a shit about us at all" gesture.
Am I off base in this view?
It is unbelievably messed up to consider not paying the men and women that volunteer to defend this nation. It's just as fucked up to use it as political leverage. In addition to the morale and retention issues, what type of effect would it have on recruitment? Would make a difference. Has there already been a change in recruitment numbers?
Depending on the effect, would it cause the branches and their Reserve and Guard counterparts to reconsider the change in recruitment age again? I believe I had read recently that earlier this year both the Army Reserve and National Guard returned the enlistment date to 35 from 42(?).
I realize that people don't generally enlist for the money, but one also has to be able to take care of their person as well as their families and could see it as putting off some potential recruits that would see it as a, "they really don't give a shit about us at all" gesture.
Am I off base in this view?
I don't think it (troops not getting paid) will ever happen either. I think both parties are smart enough to realize that is very, very dangerous on a number of moral and practical levels for a country to not pay its troops. At the same time, I think it is reprehensible that anyone is even holding this out as a threat.
Mara that is what eats my shorts it will never happen and the troops will get paid you can bet on that. It is the fact that they would use the threat. Appears now they will pass the debt ceiling raise and throw the Defense budget under the buss.
God Bless our men and women who serve inspite of the ignorant people in Washington.
Bill
God Bless our men and women who serve inspite of the ignorant people in Washington.
Bill
Mara, aren't you glad you don't have to take offense at this anymore... since you left DC?
If he was at the pentagon he was in Arlington Virginia and if he was in Washington voting on taking things from the Military then I am talking about him.
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