This is from a bulletin on MySpace - to me, this isn't about politics, it's about people. You don't have to support the war to support our troops! I am a total pacifist, and as fiercely dedicated to showing limitless love and support to the men and women in our military... and those they are defending at home and overseas.

Military paid too much? You be the judge!

This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.

On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.

Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in our armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch up to you.

Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience." As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone -- obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it.


You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opined piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.


You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? Rubbish!

A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE SIGN AND REPOST!
~*~
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Please do your research before blindly forwarding internet information!


First of all this was originally written over 6(!) years ago.

Secondly it was NOT written by Cindy Williams of Laverne and Shirley.
It was written by Cindy Williams who has spent her life as a national security expert and has probably more knowledge than anybody to speak on the matter she did.
Here is her resume. (http://web.mit.edu/SSP/people/williams/WilliamsCV.pdf)

Thirdly it was written in the Washington Post and NOT the Washington times.

Fourthly, even if the above was vaild, how is anybody expected to comment on somebody's opinion of an article that they can not read or have access to. How do we know Ms Williams did not make vaild arguments and points in her article?

Jeez... this misinformed crapola was debunked YEARS ago. (http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blpayraise.htm)


Jim
(No, I am NOT against pay raises for most of our troops, but I AM against the perputuation of intenet BS)

WoW Jim, you've been dishing it out today, (not saying rightly or wrongly) but its not your usual happy to help type posts we have come to know.

How's the knee coming along? getting better I hope.:smiley_thumbs_up:

Whatever...bottom line is.

The Troops are getting SCREWED! The MERCs make real money while the Troops make squat. Companies like BlackWater USA should be tried for treason.

Please do your research before blindly forwarding internet information!


First of all this was originally written over 6(!) years ago.

Secondly it was NOT written by Cindy Williams of Laverne and Shirley.
It was written by Cindy Williams who has spent her life as a national security expert and has probably more knowledge than anybody to speak on the matter she did.
Here is her resume. (http://web.mit.edu/SSP/people/williams/WilliamsCV.pdf)

Thirdly it was written in the Washington Post and NOT the Washington times.

Fourthly, even if the above was vaild, how is anybody expected to comment on somebody's opinion of an article that they can not read or have access to. How do we know Ms Williams did not make vaild arguments and points in her article?

Jeez... this misinformed crapola was debunked YEARS ago. (http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blpayraise.htm)


Jim
(No, I am NOT against pay raises for most of our troops, but I AM against the perputuation of intenet BS)

The purpose of the bulletin is to sign and repost if you agree that our military doesn't "make more than they deserve" ~ if the facts are skewed, that's unfortunate but I didn't write the article or the original post. The gist of the message is to support our troops, not the opinions of the writer or the person he's addressing.

I appreciate your information about the original letter and your feedback; I hope you understand that my intention was not to debate the facts of the letter itself, but rather to show support for our troops and their families particularly since they often feel the harsh effects of this unpopular war.

Namaste,
Meg

Whatever...bottom line is.

The Troops are getting SCREWED! The MERCs make real money while the Troops make squat. Companies like BlackWater USA should be tried for treason.

I shudder to think of the difference in salary that my brother had when he was in Iraq as a soldier and then as a civilian contractor... you know, the contracted guys over there who hand out towels make more than our soldiers! (And no, he wasn't over there handing out towels!) :p

Well Jim, you have crossed the line with me. I am an Air Force TSgt of 17yrs. I CAN TELL YOU AS A CREDIBLE SOURCE that our troops are indeed on foodstamps and WIC! I really could give a crap about the article and who wrote it or whether its accurate as I don't forward those type of emails. What I do give a crap about is our folks getting their F:censored:ing heads blown off and having to pick up fellow soldiers, marines, and airmen intestines up off a road in iraq. Have you ever picked up a few inches in intestine off the the G'd.mn.. road? How bout the side of someones head with an eye part of a mouth attatched? Oh lets not forget getting a shovel and bag for all the gushy sh_t that used to be your buddy! How much do pay that person? don't worry if it isnt a living wage they can get some flippin foodstamps!!!!