Another liberal Democrat, another stupid policy stance - Page 2 - DodgeBoard.com

SGT T. · #11 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 09:44 AM

Well, if you don't mind my interjecting...

Educational benefits are awesome, if you are somewhere for an extended amount of time to use them. And before you get into all the distance learning crap, let me tell you, I am still looking for Christmas presents sent by my wife and grandma, as well as some beef jerky sent by a member of this board. So if you think I am going to shell out cash for a textbook that I may/may not even get here, you are mistaken. That being said, the nearest Education Center (aka place I can take a class) is in Taji, only about a 45 min ground convoy (look out for IED's) from here. Chances my unit will release me to go there for a couple months to take a class....Zero. So, I am stuck with waiting until I get back. But then I feel like I am cheating my family out of time with me, and missing out on watching my kids grow up, because I am in class, not at home where I need to be between deployments. And that is only if I get the time in between train-up missions to prepare for the next 12+ month tour here.

Yes, we do get more money when we're deployed, but you better believe we earn every last penny. Believe you me, the taxpayer gets his moneys worth. I for one, and I know I'm not alone, would give all my extra money back just to spend another night in my own bed.

TexKan · #12 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 09:56 AM

Well obviously it's still "your own fault" for not taking advantage of those educational opportunites afforded to you over there!!! LOL LOL

Lots of folks don't use thier GI bill to the full extent they can - it's not thier fault......... it's LIFE.

Bubba · #13 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT T.

Well, if you don't mind my interjecting...

Educational benefits are awesome, if you are somewhere for an extended amount of time to use them. And before you get into all the distance learning crap, let me tell you, I am still looking for Christmas presents sent by my wife and grandma, as well as some beef jerky sent by a member of this board. So if you think I am going to shell out cash for a textbook that I may/may not even get here, you are mistaken. That being said, the nearest Education Center (aka place I can take a class) is in Taji, only about a 45 min ground convoy (look out for IED's) from here. Chances my unit will release me to go there for a couple months to take a class....Zero. So, I am stuck with waiting until I get back. But then I feel like I am cheating my family out of time with me, and missing out on watching my kids grow up, because I am in class, not at home where I need to be between deployments. And that is only if I get the time in between train-up missions to prepare for the next 12+ month tour here.

Yes, we do get more money when we're deployed, but you better believe we earn every last penny. Believe you me, the taxpayer gets his moneys worth. I for one, and I know I'm not alone, would give all my extra money back just to spend another night in my own bed.

Keep your head up, or should I say down?? Anyway, know that people back here care for you and your well-being. I, for one, am grateful that you are over there doing the job that you do. You deserve a raise!

jeezeweeze · #14 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba

Keep your head up, or should I say down?? Anyway, know that people back here care for you and your well-being. I, for one, am grateful that you are over there doing the job that you do. You deserve a raise!

Army_of_One · #15 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT T.

Believe you me, the taxpayer gets his moneys worth. I for one, and I know I'm not alone, would give all my extra money back just to spend another night in my own bed.

Amen dude.

Heard anything about your packet yet?

SGT T. · #16 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 01:03 PM

AOO,
Wife says I'm waiting till I get back to the states to finish the paperwork, as she wants to talk about it. She also says no moving to Dodge, but she doesn't know what she's missing.

(She likes to lurk around here, so Happy Valentines Day honey!)

aft_lizard01 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba

Also, about that pay. Let's say you are a Reservist who lives somewhere where you make a decent living of say $60,000/yr. That is $5000/mo. gross pay. Now, let's look at what he will make in the military as an E6 with over 10 years of service, that is assuming that his reserve years count toward years of service. An E6 with over 10 makes approx. $34995/yr or $2916/mo. I would think that might cause a little financial hardship, but that is just me.

Bubba you are missing some important things. First a E-6 reservist w/ ten years who is activated will receive additional benefits including bah/baq as well as other benefits if he is married and has children. Then if he is deployed overseas to a war-zone he will be paid tax-free on top of a daily per diem , war zone pay as well as his baq and othere allowances(plus you accrue leave at double the rate). It is not unheard of a married reservist with a rank of e-6 with two children receiving over 4 grand tax free a month, come home and receive his per diem check of perhaps another grand or two plus have 50+ days of paid leave(which if he is reservist he can choose to take as a lump sum or have it paid to him over the next two months). Not saying its enough hen you are at war, but it certainly isnt hurting the family wallet(using your 5000 gross a month). Heck I made 3200 a month and I was just a lowly sergeant and had no kids.

aft_lizard01 · #18 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Right..there are always exceptions and people that "slip through the cracks" with any program. But the thing is that there is a program, actually many, available to soldiers during and after service.

It's true you only have 10 years after you get out to use your G.I. Bill. If one doesn't do that they can only blame themselves. A lot of soldiers don't use it and that's a shame.

ASctually the reason why I lost my GI was because I got out and then back in again, in that period my initial contract expired. I never thought anything of it but since my initial contract expired while I was out the clock began to tick on my GI and so when I went to see if I had it well it was too late, but hey my SLRP was still good.