Response to ksgrainman

[jeezeweeze]

I wanted to move this so as not to seem "cold hearted" to Unicorn. I think its a great thing and God Bless her.

Originally Posted by ksgrainman

GOOD GOD !!!! What are you trying to do to Unicorns thread here? Turn it into a whining and bitch session? If some people wanted to help these soldiers come home for a few days before they are sent to a WAR, whats wrong with that? There was no Gov't money involved, no one begged any of us for the funds it took, no money was taken from Boothill or WND coffers, people did it because they wanted to help American Soldiers!!!! Isn't that what we need more in this Country, people helping people, instead of Bubba's so called 'entitlement mentality' thats been going on WAY too long? I THANK all Veterans and active Military for the freedoms I have. And if some people want to help others I think it is AWESOME.

No, its not a bitch session at all, its what Bubba pointed out.


Is this the entitlement mentality that is so prevalent in the U.S. today hard at work? With people thinking they are owed things like this. Instead of working hard and saving your money and paying your own way....

Now I am not slamming anyone especially the troops whether they be active or guard ....

However the idea that there is no sacrifice when you volunteer to serve your country is kinda unreal isn't it.

I don't know maybe Army can answer this. What are they being told by recruiters ? Are they duped into thinking that joining up will have no effect on your life. I certainly hope there is no sugar coating and I hope they get all the negatives......such as ...your gonna be away from your family and may not see them for an extended time.

I get the Military.com newsletter and this was in my email. Basic training used to be tough but now ??? Wouldn't want to be a DI ......... Unfreakingbelieveable. WTF

Jailed DI Punished for Press Interview

check out the comments on "sound off"

[SGT T.]

Good post, all I am saying is that as National Guard troops who have been activated, they are receiving active duty pay. I don't wanna hear that crap about oh, I never expected to be deployed... they gave them all classes on how to kill people with the M16 rifle they were issued. Did they think that was for pheasant season? As an activated National Guard guy back in 94 on active duty for training, we were "highly encouraged" by our Drill SGT's to buy tickets home for Christmas, because if we all left, then the Drills got to go home too, but if even one troop had to stay, so did the drills. Back then, a PVT with under six months in and no credit card, I had to shell out to get a bus ticket from Ft Jackson SC, to Dodge City, KS. I know it wasn't cheap, but it did cost me 3 days both ways out of a 10 day leave cycle.

I can promise you that those activated guys in 161FA make a TON more money than I did back in 94, and that there are less PVT's in that unit than there were in my basic training company. Also, as a former National Guard dude, I know that the state has buses that they use to move units too and from training areas on drill weekends. I don't know why they couldn't get a few of them together and move that unit home for the holidays on the cheap.

I am not saying that it was a bad thing to give money to the Soldiers of 161FA, if you felt like you could give, and it made you feel good to give, then by all means. But thats why SGT T. kept his cash. BTW, the new USCENTCOM R&R program will pay for round trip airfare to any Airport in the world. I know guys who've taken R&R in Brazil and South Africa, thanks to the US Army.

[K C Muffin]

Thanks for that, T - that's exactly what hubby told me. I can't fathom signing up for the military (it's all volunteer now, did you know?) and expecting to be shuttled back and forth to see family at will. My nephew was sent across the country for his basic training - his parents paid their way to see him graduate and he paid his way home for leave. No handouts. If you had the money and felt that it was a worthy cause, then I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being patriotic and helping the troops. My money went to send packages to the troops in harm's way.

[Highwayman]

My two bits worth.

I’d rather see folks kicking in to help the troops in any way they can as opposed to what I saw happen to the troops coming back from Nam.

[Made in the USA]