http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=266464

The US govt is INTENTIONALLY deploying troops overseas for ONE DAY less than is required for the GI Bill and other benefits.

So this govt who screams from every media opportunity that we MUST support the troops are nothing but LIARS.


Wake up People. If you were in charge of this situation what would you do? This is just another example of the GREED and HYPOCRISY of those who yell "I am a God loving moral person who cares for family values"

Apparntly it's only THEIR families that matter not the families of the men, women, and children (yes CHILDREN, anyone under 25 is a CHILD in the grand scheme of life no disrespect meant to any of the fine young people)

So if you are STILL supporting our govt even after all the lies and Bullcrap they spread about take a look at this. It's not a conspiracy theory it's a FACT.

I cannot wait until we get these lying KILLLERS out of our governing body.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I agree that sucks, but it sounds like those pulling the strings are in the military, not the congress. so...

Doesn't really pertain to this issue.

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Mary

Constitutionally, the ultimate authority and responsibility for the national defense rests with the President. Since the passage of the National Security Act of 1947, the President has used the Secretary of Defense as his principal assistant in all matters relating to the National Military Establishment (NME) -- later the Department of Defense. The Secretary has statutory authority, direction, and control over the Military Departments and is responsible for the effective, efficient, and economical operation of the department.

So, you're right, it's not Congress....it's coming out of the White House.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

You took the words right outa my mouth!!

Do you , by chance, know the criteria for eligibility for the GI Bill???


I would like to caution anyone, before forming an opinion on this situation, educate yourself. There are MANY aspects of the GI Bill. As stated above, do you know the criteria for eligibility???

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Lib media at work here again. They didn't serve long enough to meet the requirements and now they want it anyways. Can you say handouts?

From the article: "... When they came home from Iraq, 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard had been deployed longer than any other ground combat unit.

The tour lasted 22 months and had been extended as part of President Bush's surge. ..."

Obviously more of those "phony soldiers" Limbaugh was referring to.

Handout indeed

did they meet the requirements? yes or no?

The article states clearly that they did not. They were pulled out one day short of meeting the requirements. Do you think that this wasn't deliberate?

After what the troops have endured, to do this is an outrage.

Seriously? You really believe the stuff you're typing? While you are entitled to your opinion and to share that opinion, I'd like to offer you a word or 2 of advice:

When your first post EVER is an inflammatory post such as the one above it appears that you are a troll just trying to start trouble and create an argument. Now, I don't know if that is your intention or not.

Whatever your intent--your opinion is just assinine in my opinion. If these troops were only doing their one weekend a month, 2 weeks a year it might be different. They are being called up to leave their normal lives, to go fight a war on foreign soil. If these were full-time/career military men and women who were getting shafted like this would you feel the same way?

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

They still qualify for many educational benefits through the guard. They are not being left with no educational assistance.

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

If they don't meet the requirements, then the requirements need to change. My DH last duty station was at a reserve center, where he was their active component. I sometimes was ashamed how our government treats its reservist and their families. Families are only covered under TRIcare once their family member has been activated and then taken away months after they get home. These soldiers, weekend or not, should have the same rights and privileges that full time soldiers and their families get. Thats all I have to say about that!

Now if you want to use the user name we all know you by, I would love to continue the conversation!

__________________
Chicago Bears!!!!
We are the Bears Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

I agree the the reservist families should be offered a form of Tri-Care at all times, I do no think that once they have returned to their "normal" jobs that they should have the same full benefits of an active duty soldier. I do think that the issue with the GI BIll will be resolved, but it will take time.

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

Apparently the matter is being investigated. Again, from the article:

Odds are that if their commanding officer had not made a fuss about this it would have been ignored and never investigated. If indeed they are short by one day IMO, an exception should be made and the additional benefits made available to them. A worthwhile "handout" from this lib's perspective.

...and a worthwhile "handout" from this fiscally conservative OLD SCHOOL Republican, as well. Maybe I have to much of a WWII mentality, but where did the honor go in serving your country? If the White House and current appointed military leaders aren't taking care of our soldiers and their families, then they are no better than our worst enemy.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

I guess we will just have to disagree. I probably felt the same way you did 4 years ago, but when DH was transferred to a reserve center, I was lucky enough to see it in a different light. Especially after the reservist were activated and was deployed away from their families for the max time, 2 years. When we arrived DH had just gotten back from a 15 month unaccompanied deployment from S. Korea, and not 1 month later, the reservist were activated, and DH had to go with them. The families were so nice to both my son and myself, here they were worried about me when their loved ones were just shipped out. After running the FRG for the entire deployment, I learned of hardships that I would never have to worry about being a full time Army wife. Like living in a 600,000 dollar house, and not being able to afford it after a year, when your savings are depleted and your husband is now only making a fraction to what he use to, or you lose your business cause the spouse left at home only does the books and has no idea how the plumbing works. I just feel, while they might not be the same hardships a full time army wife goes through, they still are hardships and the country should pay for their sacrifice.

__________________
Chicago Bears!!!!
We are the Bears Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

Just trying to get clarification. Are you saying your DH went on an Active Duty tour, unaccompanied to Korea for 15mos?? Then left Active Duty and went on reservist status. A month after doing this, he then was deployed with his reserve unit?

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Having done my time for the Navy as both Active Duty, Active Reservist (TAR) and Weekend Reservist, there is no way that I agree with the statement above.

If you are a reservist then you deserve whatever the reserves gives you as far as "entitlement". If you are full time military, then you deserve whatever entitlements you get from being full time REGULAR military.

Regular military families deal with MUCH more than a reservist will--even if the reservist is pulled into full time status for a short period of time (short being less than 2 years).

There are benefits, including education, that are offered to reservists... there are some reservists that never see full time duty unless they put in their 2 weeks annually.

As far as medical--Reservists shouldn't have military medical as it is offered to regular military simply because reservists also have regular employment (drilling once a month plus 2 weeks a year)... for our full time military...that IS their "employment".

Reservist families enjoy the commissary and exchange privileges when their member is on drill weekend or 2 week active...and other base privileges at any time.

As far as the OP, this was "news" about 2 weeks ago, and as far as I can recall from the broadcast, they were implementing steps to get these reservists the GI education bill--how far that has come, I haven't heard.

There are many requirements for the GI bill --- simply serving is not all of the qualifying requirements.

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SPJRNTGADL!

No, my husband is ( well was he just retired end of July) always active duty. We were stationed at Fort Bragg, he got orders to go to S. Korea for 12 months, while there his tour got extended 3 months, keeping him there 15 months. He then got new orders to an AC/RC ( active component at reserve center) position in South Dakota, we reported there in November and the unit he provided support to got activated that December. They were then deployed 2 years.

__________________
Chicago Bears!!!!
We are the Bears Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

I'm really confused now.....ok, so, your DH had an unaccompanied tour in S.Korea for 12mos., got extended to 15 (this happens often in the Navy). So, these were orders he agreed to take, right??? Sometimes in the Navy certain duty stations are labeled "unaccompanied", meaning the dependents of the Active Duty member can NOT go with them. This is known before you take the orders. Ok, so....then, he does his tour in S. Korea, and gets stationed in S. Dakota. A month after he gets to his new duty station, he has to deploy.

Now, with all this being correct, I'm confused as to what the problem is?? Or, did you say that to lead up to you being the FRG person??? and seeing the hardships of the reservist families??

As for the $600,000 home goes, I feel little to no sympathy for that person. WHY would you get a home of that price and not be able to afford it? When you join the reserves you are aware of the possibility of deployment, right??? Just like Active Duty is aware that if the President declares war they have to go, wether they agree or not. I'm just not feeling a lot of sympathy here, sorry.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

You mean your dh didn't get the opportunity to pick 3 on his PCS? They just "ordered" him for overseas duty? Certainly that had a perk too, because usually unaccompanied overseas duty counts for more than stateside duty.

As far as "extension" for that duty, I am sure he was compensated for that too--you make it sound like it was such a hardship...that's part of being Military--full time and regular.

What about the benefits that your family saw when he was deployed the last time...like Hazardous Duty Pay, and COLA, etc?

This is Military...this is what military does...he knew what it was when he signed up for it, and obviously now, he is reaping the benefits of retirement from this employer.

I do wonder though, on a military members salary, unless you are a high ranking officer, how in the world would you be able to afford a $600K house?

As far as being the plumber, the maintenance man, the tv repairman, the auto mechanic, the wife, the mother, the aunt, the uncle, the grandmother, the grandfather, the spouse--welcome to the world of being a military wife.

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SPJRNTGADL!

Bingo! I saw the hardships of the reservist families.


And for Dreamscape, never have I ever complained that my husband was deployed it was his job for 24 years. We loved the military, I think you misread or mis-interrupted what I was saying.

No, we were never compensated for his tour being extended, it just was, no big deal. We did get to pick three duty stations, however, we didn't get any of them! But for you to think money can compensate your loved one being in harms way, you are seriously miss lead.

I guess I don't know how this thread got off topic so quick, all I am saying I personally believe reservist and their families deserve more then what they get. Others don't feel the same, well thats their opinion.

__________________
Chicago Bears!!!!
We are the Bears Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

If you're referring to me, I didn't belittle anyone. That was certainly not my intent. And, honestly, why should it matter what a woman's DH does as to how she gets treated??? There are many military spouses on this board, and some of them get "belittled". To be honest with you Carrie, I resent that you feel someone should be afforded special treatment just because there husband serves in the military. I don't want special treatments as far as the chat boards go. If you disagree with me, fine, say so. If you think I have something great to say, that's fine, too. But, I certainly don't want to ride on my husband's coat tails. I have opinions, regardless of my DH's job.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

what??

There are more than a few of us who actually DID serve our country, minus of course yourself. I don't think you understand much Carrie--especially if you are non-military.

I still don't think that as a reservist you deserve the same benefits that regular military members deserve or enjoy.

If you want those benefits, then sign up FULL TIME REGULAR.

Our country isn't going to crap because of a few posts on mycoupons--this isn't the "hubbub" of all the internets.

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SPJRNTGADL!

No, you understood everything before.
Everyone just has different values, that's for darned sure.

ETA: My opinion is that both active duty and reserve military members must be mindful of the benefits and commitments of their service and accept the consequences of them. I feel very sorry for the reservist who gets activated and cannot maintain his/her lifestyle on the reservist salary, but I do agree that he/she needs to plan for that or consider his/her commitment.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

When exactly was this law put into effect (the 730 days)? The military has always done this type thing it is nothing new. My dad was military and my DH was military and my son-in-law is currently in the military, There are many different GI Bill programs, some you have to pay into, some you don't, just depends on what you enlisted under and signed up for at the time of enlistment. Also the military has done this type thing for years, it's nothing new, they frequently deploy troops for training, etc. for one day under the amount of time they have to start "seperation pay". Hopefully they will get this taken care of.

Thank you!

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Holy crap, I fell on the floor laughing (or was it crying?)

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Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

I so totally agree with you. Anyone living in a $600,000 house and can't afford it ( or any amount of house for that matter) is totally, utterly and fully pathetic. Plan for the future and take care responsibly for yourself and your family. An illness or death could wreak havoc just as much as a deployment. However, an illness or death doesn't come with an automatic sense of entitlement.

Comparing sacrifices reservists make when called up to what full time military members make every single day is comparing apples to oranges. For many, it was all great, reaping the benefits for the 1 weekend per month and 2 weeks annually. I guess some forgot there could be more to it. No way should reservists have the same benefits as active duty. That is rather like comparing, in the "regular" workplace part time to full time.

Yes, the service member should know what they signed on the line for. This is nothing new for the government to exploit our service members to their advantage. Among all the benefits, retirees now pay for health care (was to be for life upon retirement) and for so called survivor benefits. So interesting how the military threads here get so heated. The military is a totally different life and for those not involved, they have absolutely no idea of what the member, and entire family gives. Am I in the know? Yes, married to a retired active duty member, not a reservist.

dl

Are / were you or your spouse EVER active duty or reservist? Since you understand everything, please continue enlightening people here on the EVERYTHING aspect . Be sure to start with how 1 little woosy message board has this country going to crap. Acutally, I think you are behind in your self professed revelation. I think there are a lot of aspects of our military that were going to crap before this post started. And for the most part, the going to crap bit is resultant of those who do not / did not serve.

dl

FWIW, many public and private sector employees have also endured loss of retiree benefits, medical benefits, etc. These losses in benefits are not particular to military. Soaring health care costs are an issue for any entity that needs to operate within a budget.

These military threads get heated at the fingers of a few people who claim to know it all - IN MY OPINION.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I think we should wait until this is further looked into.
I have read all the posts and you do have to know what you are signing up for that's for sure. A co-worker is a Iowa Guard member and served time in Iraq. I support our military and I'm probably one of the few who still support our President.

Perhaps you are aiming this at me. I never said the military were the only sector losing benefits, etc. however that is what this thread is about, miliary, not civilian . Part of the difference is, the military is paid less in dollars which is to be balanced in benefits. Additionally, civilians are always free to give notice or walk out of their job. Military members have to fulfill the enlistment and cannot quit or renegotiate at their convenience.

As for your last sentence, I can see it was clearly directed at addison who stated now she understands everything.

dl

I don't understand why this is so funny. In certain parts of the country - say Silicon Valley in California - that's how much houses cost. If a reservist has a regular job or runs a busines that pays $125K, he can afford the mortgage on a $600K house until such time as he deploys and he takes a huge pay cut. Just because he has a $600k house doesn't mean he's rolling in the dough....

Sometimes it's hard to fully comprehend how people different from ourselves live, but that doesn't mean that they are bad or don't face the same kind of problems and experiences that you do. I don't understand the tendency to want to see people who have done well fail. (like a reservist who owns a $600k house or Martha Stewart or...)

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Thank you!! You said it all

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SPJRNTGADL!

you missed the point cjs... her husband was NEVER a reservist...

and yet 1 year later they are losing the house? My question (which went unanswered) was: how can a military member (unless they were the CO or XO) afford that kind of house on a military pay?

That's just bad math.

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SPJRNTGADL!

I guess I did miss the point. I thought the $600K house was owned by the reservist, not Polve's husand. I understood that Polve was empathisizing with that situation.....you know, feeling for someone other than herself. But I could be wrong. I do think that a LTC or full bird could potentially afford a house like that....especially if he/she had bought/sold houses throught his/her career and had built up equity. Not bad math at all.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

that's what I am saying... but a regular military member would not be able to afford a home like that--

I took it to mean it was hers and not someone else's.

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SPJRNTGADL!

Well, sheesh, who wants to be regular? I'd argue that the O-5 or O-6 is pretty regular compared to say, ME...LOL. I e-mail with a few of them all the time and they seem like fairly regular, fairly intelligent, and sometimes rather self-confident guys. Of course, I don't get any BAH and BAS, etc. Oops, sorry, too much information. I'm not supposed to know anything about the military because I've never been active duty.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I have heard about doctors who are in the reserves who have been deployed for so long that they're losing everything.

Let's face it, only 1% of us are even affected by this war.

an O being simply "self confident" is an understatement... 99% of them have egos this big
<------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

self confidence in a zero is not a problem.

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SPJRNTGADL!

I'm REALLY confused now. So, are you saying an 0-5 or O-6 reservist could afford a $600,000 house?? Are we still talking about reservists here???

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Bingo!! That's the "problem" that I believe Polve was initially talking about.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Sorry, I was just playing with the notion of a "regular military member". I was saying that a "regular" O-5 or O-6 active duty military member with base pay, BAH, BAS, etc and home equity could potentially afford a $600k house.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

you were military Carrie? I found a post by you stating that that your bf and you broke up because he joined the military and you "couldn't live like that".



The question asked was were YOU or your SPOUSE military?

The other post I found says your "son's father" (not necessarily your spouse) was deployed.


So then the answer would be no to deddlastt's question.

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SPJRNTGADL!

You are totally correct cj, its a reservist that owned the home not me. We could of never afford that house payment when DH was still in the Army. Some people misread almost everything I typed, or they choose to interrupt it wrong!

__________________
Chicago Bears!!!!
We are the Bears Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

regular military refers to military members who are not Reservists. (there is a huge difference).

And Absolutely... any Zero could afford a house of that price, but a regular member (non-zero) could not.

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SPJRNTGADL!

And that is the entire point of a home, people need to live within their means. Whether it's a $600,000 or a $60,000 home, plan for "what if". Not to just whine about a deployment, it could be layoff, death, health problems, etc, etc.

(and you might want to edit interrupt, I believe you really meant to type interpret )

dl