Our military is voting in support of the war...

poncho,

Did Fox News happen to mention that soldiers have a choice of either re enlisting and getting a cash bonus to stay deployed in Iraq at the end of their hitch or face a stop loss and remain deployed in Iraq anyway without a cash bonus at the end of their hitch?

I guess that explains the high morale.

 

The war is an outlet for those who like to break things and kill people. Pays better than a street gang.

It's comments like this that make it so easy to ignore billwald's posts.

 

From, not sure from your first post which side of the fence you are on, but the Selective Reenlistment Bonus benefits are not given so you stay in Iraq longer. Most military eligible for this bonus WANT to reenlist in Iraq (of Afghanistan). Reason? Two words: TAX EXEMPT.

Any other time we get our bonus checks minus 28% to Uncle Sam.

We go wherever we are ordered. We dont get a lump of cash for agreeing to do what no other Soldier, Sailor, Marine, or Airman would.

 

??? Did I say anyone was being blackmailed by excepting a cash bonus? To my knowledge...no. Your missing the whole point. I have no problem with a cash bonus to reenlist. It's the stop loss program that is being used to blackmail IMHO.

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Let me say it once again for you guys. I am not opposed to a reenlistment bonus.

If Uncle Sam wants you to stay he can use the stop loss program to threaten you into reenlistment. If you know your staying anyway why not just take the easy way and sign the reenlistment paper and collect a cash bonus?

Like I said, there are many sources along with my own personal experience as a soldier, the opinions of soldiers I served with and of the recruitment practices that soldiers often complained about.

Sorry Carpro, I haven't got the time to read each one of these sources for you, but I did find time to post a few...just a few.

 

ECA,

I'm nowhere near a fence, but I'm on the side that is in favor of our being there and being in support of the mission.

 

Uh no. The stop loss is an order. It means you cant leave even if you are ready for retirement or at the end of your enlistment and you get no money. There is NO reenlistment as all contracts are automatically extended until further notice. Try putting on a uniform and experiencing stop loss before you attempt at posing as an expert.

The last stop loss I remember personally experiencing was in 91, when I could not even execute my permanent change of station orders. Everybody stayed put. And that was during the Gulf War which was 14 years ago? It lasted for a whole of 6 months and after that, life was normal.

No amount of linkage will prove that differently as you are WRONG. Besides that, you barely read any of the links you posted. Had you, you would have seen that none of them required a person to sign anything or agree to anything in exchange for money. That isnt blackmail or even extortion. That is simply the needs of the military. Hate to point it out, but some of your links were incredibly old (2001) and they just dont apply today. Sorry, you are barking at the wind.

 

"Try putting on a uniform and experiencing stop loss before you attempt at posing as an expert."

I've worn the uniform. Expert? Me? That's rich after reading your posts here, so where's the sources to back up your great knowledge, or do we all just take your word because your a Bush supporter?

 

"Try putting on a uniform and experiencing stop loss before you attempt at posing as an expert."

I've worn the uniform. Expert? Me? That's rich after reading your posts here, so where's the sources to back up your great knowledge, or do we all just take your word because your a Bush supporter? [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]Where are the sources to back up my statements? What would you prefer, a copy of my LES or my reenlistment contracts? Your choice.

I support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America...President Bush seems to do just fine without my commentary about him.

 

I can only speak for myself and those I have directly served with over the last 22 years of active duty.

I am a submariner who has spent 10 of my 19 years of marriage away from my family. I am a volunteer who willingly separated myself from my family because it was my duty. Back in 1983 when I enlisted, I did it to get out on my own. The first time I reenlisted it was to be eligible for shore duty. The reasons for reenlisting the other four times are varied. I did receive a cash bonus (SRB) for three of five reenlistments. The total sum of my SRBs pale in comparison to what our highly trained, highly efficient, and highly motivated sailors are now getting for one reenlistment.

In my specialty (nuclear power), sailors are receiving up to $100,000 for reenlisting for four years. Can you put a price on voluntarily separating yourself form your family and placing yourself in harm's way? I don't think you can.

There are some that reenlist soley for the money. The average enlisted sailor with about two years in the Navy makes just over $20,000 a year.

Over the years, I have developed a deeper committment to the United States and her people. It is an honor to serve a country this great and I would do it all over again. It is my duty and responsibility to defend this country against all those who threaten that freedom. America's veterans spilled their blood and lost their lives ensuring this freedom is enjoyed by her citizens. We will not waiver in the fight against the tyranny that oppresses that freedom.

If this sounds a bit over the top, I have earned the right to be passionate about America. If you are unwilling to put yourself in harm's way, do not criticize what I have given my life work to do.

Our men and women in the Armed Forces are not asked if they would like to go to war. They're not given a choice. They follow orders. The sailor on the deckplates or the soldier in the foxhole don't generally know the details of the big picture. They have to trust the leaders that God has appointed over them. All authority comes from God. Sometimes we have good leaders, sometimes we don't. Either way, the men and women in uniform are obligated to obey the orders of those over them.

The Lord has truly blessed me in my career. I am certain it is because I placed Him first in all that I did. In my career, some superiors have told me I was wrong to take the stands I have taken. I really believe the Lord blessed me because I would not compromise my position in Christ. Was I perfect? Absolutely not. In fact, I've made some serious blunders in my time, but God was always faithful to take care of me, my career, and my family. Including September 12th, 2001. Not the 11th? On the 11th I was recalled to my submarine, but we couldn't get underway until the 12th because the Navy was concerned about the safety of the submarine on the surface while transiting to our dive point. They were afraid another attack was possible. When I left, I was not sure if my family would be there when I came home. On the type of submarine I serve, we do not have the ability to communicate with our families like some do today. We were completely cut off from the real world and we still had to take care of our daily business. Yeah, it was tough, but God saw me through.

I am proud to be an American. I'm not proud of everything we do, but I am so blessed to live in the United States of America.

Sorry this was so long. Passion runs deep.

 

Where are the sources to back up my statements? What would you prefer, a copy of my LES or my reenlistment contracts? Your choice.

I support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America...President Bush seems to do just fine without my commentary about him.

Ah, the old Ice Cream close eh? Attempting to limit my choices to only two that you pick. Nice try but I would like to see some links to sources other than just your personal opinions if that's to tough for you just tell us. All this "me patriot you not" stuff isn't working for you or Bush anymore.

Oh and how exactly do you do that? By supporting a President and congress who doesn't? Looks to me like they would rather have unelected corporate heads dictating the rules of globalism to the American people and putting more power in the hands of the WTO, WHO, IMF and the UN than protecting the U.S. constituion. Not to mention the open borders.

I reckon that even you...an expert of one can see that without me having to post a hundred links for you. I mean if the U.S. Constitution really means more to you than just using a reference to it now and then to try and make your opponent in a debate look, unpatriotic.

 

3-page warning: This thread will be closed no sooner than 5:00 a.m. ET by one of the moderators.

Lady Eagle,
Moderator

 

Closed as per previous note.

LE