Why is it that a civilian who pretty much sits in an office and processes data here in Iraq makes 4-10 times as much as a Uniformed Soldier who risks his or her life every day to go out on patrols?
How is it that someone who is not subject to Military Jurisdiction has more say in military proceedures than someone who mans a guard tower and has to watch for insurgents out in the surrounding cityscape?
How is it that someone can make policy, and then not be subject to it?
Why do the people who take the most risks get paid the least? Get the least benefit? Get the worst jobs? Get no say in their own lives?
When did we incorporate the U.S. Military?
Will someone PLEASE start a petition to get the civilians OUT of the military's pockets?
If someone has a say in the way something works, then isn't it customary for that person to also be effected by the same things that they are putting in place?
The Clinton Administration cut back the military from an effective fighting force because it wanted to cut military costs. Well, to be honest it failed miserably. The Army went from using Specialists and Leiutenants (Average pay of $2500 per month) to using an equal number of civilian employees do do the same jobs (average pay of $3500 per month).
The Army started using civilian contractors to do the testing and maintenance of newer weapon systems and communications who not only draw their salary from the government, but they also get a Maintenance contract which ends up costing the government an even more exorbitant amount of money.
How does this save the government money?
Because the military was cut back in personnel so much, the U.S. Government was then forced to resort to using companies like BlackWater to provide personal security for the diplomats and government personnel who were required to travel to hostile locations. BlackWater charges an absolute FORTUNE for a single crew, and they have Dozens of these crews currently in theater.
Now if you look at the news stories of the past few days, you will notice that BlackWater is currently under investigation by some agency because of claims of excessive force and unjustified killings. The Military is then burdened with the reputation that these contract thugs then leave in their wake.
I don't understand how the people can stand for this injustice and the outright lies that are being told about government cost-cutting. Oh, yeah, that's because they don't know about it. Every president we have had in the past 20 years has just helped to run this country into the ground.
Gone are the days of "American Made."
Gone are the days of Patriotism for the sake of Patriotism.
Gone are the days when the military was granted a homecoming parade through New York or San Diego or Chicago.
Now we get scorn and spite flung at us at every turn.
WE are the ones who feel the hatred of the nation when it should be directed at the government.
WE are the ones who feel the sting of the slap that should be swung at congress.
WE are the ones who struggle to keep our home free and safe.
WE are the ones who fight for ALL people to be free.
WE are the ones who think about our families back home before going into the Valley of Death.
WE are the ones who feel the pain of loss, but we are not given the time to grieve.
WE are the ones who suffer and die.
WE are the ones who bleed RED, WHITE and BLUE.
We are the Soldiers.
3 comments:
One answer I guess is to become a mercenary. Civilian counterparts have always been paid more than soldiers, rather in combat or at home working on military installations. Having been a soldier I can understand your frustration. I got over it however once I found out that most folks don't really care one way or another. They might show some semblance of caring if someone they care about is in country but after that its back to business as usual. Anyone doubting that need only check an earlier post regarding Memorial Day or Veterans Day observances. Where are the ones that care.
Have a bit of care for those "contract thugs." They are trained killers hired to protect the people assigned to them at any cost. Most of them were trained by our military and are doing VERY WELL what they are being VERY WELL paid to do.
Soldiers have always paid the price in every war, from every country in all circumstances. You can be sure that with rare exception no politiciaNS KIDS ARE IN COUNTRY. God Bless and take good care. Be sure that someone cares.
Sadly it seems the only way to pick through the willing and motivated people is to pay them more and make it more competative.
I can't say I know a thing about how the military operates, but I did see how contractors influenced the system in place at GSFC. The civil servants were paid a ton and since their positions were secure, it didn't matter what they cared about or accomplished. While the contractors could be laid off at any given time for just about any reason.
Before I left the last thing I was hearing is that sometime in the near future if they haven't already, all new employees were to be contracted and they were going to do away with the civil servant positions.
This is very similar to what seems to be happening to the miliary? I know it costs more because the contracting companies themselves have to make a profit out of it all, but it takes away all the stresses that external Human Resource departments can offer.
I think it introduces a harder working and more motivated work force, even if they are using money as the carrot.
Perhaps the biggest problem again stems from the media only showing us what 'sells'.. all the negative mumbo jumbo =( We just gotta search for the positive and help it rub off on the right hearts and minds.
I must confess that for a couple of years now I have stayed away from reading the paper and even watching most of the news. They cover stories they want to cover and slant the news to fit their own purposes. Jim use to listen to a couple of radio talk shows that just drove me crazy. The things they said had my bloodpressure up about 50 points. He would say that was their job. It got them the ratings and was entertainment, but to me it was infuriating!!
I have little faith in our politicians, don't believe much of what is written in the newspaper and sometimes feel that there isn't much I can do about the state of Maine, the U.S. or the world. Then I read what God says about standing up for what is right and so I listen to political debates, I vote, I watch the news, but most of all I pray. Pray for Maine, pray for the U.S. and pray for this world. I know I am making a difference when I pray.
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