[poochee]

The men and women defending our country deserve more than this paltry sum.

Congress Sets Military Pay Raise, Punts on Civil Service

By Stephen Barr
Tuesday, October 3, 2006; Page D04

Hours before wrapping up for its campaign break, Congress nailed down a 2.2 percent pay raise for the armed forces but left resolution of the federal employee raise to a lame-duck session next month.

The pay raise was approved late last week by the House and Senate as part of the fiscal 2007 defense authorization bill, which sets out policy and personnel goals for the Defense Department. The across-the-board raise will take effect in January, and additional raises for senior enlisted personnel and warrant officers will begin in April.

The House version of the bill had called for a 2.7 percent across-the-board military raise, but House and Senate negotiators chose to go with the Senate's proposed 2.2 percent increase, which matched the adjustment approved by Congress in an appropriations bill.

Veterans and employee groups decried the pay decision as meager.

"We're extremely disappointed, to put it mildly, that Congress couldn't see its way clear to provide more than a 2.2 percent pay raise for the troops who are putting their lives on the line every day for the rest of America," said Steve Strobridge , director of government relations for the Military Officers Association of America.

"That's the smallest military raise in 13 years," he noted.

Colleen M. Kelley , president of the National Treasury Employees Union, called the 2.2 percent raise "a shameful decision during a time of war."

In his 2007 budget request, President Bush recommended a 2.2 percent raise for the military and the civil service.

The House, however, approved a 2.7 percent raise for federal employees, and a Senate bill, which did not reach the floor, also has proposed a 2.7 percent civil service raise.

Congress, in most recent years, has followed a "pay parity" approach to raises, ensuring equal average salary increases for the military and the civil service. Given that history, Congress may scale back the federal employee raise when it returns in mid-November to take up unfinished spending bills. Congress also may be reluctant to give government civilians a larger raise than the troops because of their sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a statement, Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that the defense authorization bill had won bipartisan support and predicted that it would improve the quality of life for members of the armed forces and their families.

The legislation provides for more than 20 types of bonuses and special payments aimed at encouraging enlistment and re-enlistment, the committee said.

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Rest at:
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[Empire2500]

I think rsiking your life is worth no amount of money.Life is more valuable than anythign else.I'd like to see any bureaucrat do any better on the field without running back like a coward.

[RSM123]

poochee,

It was stated today that Brit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will finally no longer pay income tax, they being the only ones still subject to it.

Oddly enough though the government had long blocked such a measure, they changed their mind when the leader of the opposition stated he would implement this reform were he to get elected.

Suddenly Blair 'had been in talks to scrap this tax, for several weeks..'



It was further reported that a private in the infantry was earning as little as £2 ( $3.60) an houe after deductions for tax, accommodation, etc.

The min. wage for any worker here in the UK is $8 an hour.

[katonca]

{{{}}}

Time to write our reps and complain

[pugmug]

It's a job. At least they get a raise,small but still a raise. Come into the real world where people get layoff's and cutbacks and even shown the street after years of service to their company. It isn't fair but life isn't either.

[Empire2500]

Hey katonca,how's it going?

By the way,is that the seal of disapproval?

[poochee]

Originally Posted by RSM123

poochee,

It was stated today that Brit troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will finally no longer pay income tax, they being the only ones still subject to it.

Oddly enough though the government had long blocked such a measure, they changed their mind when the leader of the opposition stated he would implement this reform were he to get elected.

Suddenly Blair 'had been in talks to scrap this tax, for several weeks..'



It was further reported that a private in the infantry was earning as little as £2 ( $3.60) an houe after deductions for tax, accommodation, etc.

The min. wage for any worker here in the UK is $8 an hour.

IMO, the military deserves more than we are giving them. Glad to hear the tax was scrapped even though it took an election threat to do it.

[RSM123]

pugmug,

The armed forces is not just like any other job, anymore than being a fireman, or nurse. These people are providing an essential service to their community.

If they weren't willing to risk their necks someone would have to.

In the case of the armed forces, the only way to replace a flow of willing volunteers, would be conscription.

No wonder the British Army is losing 500 people a month, and we have a government in which very few, if any have ever served in the armed forces even in peacetime, let alone combat.

[pugmug]

I did and it is a job. Alot of jobs have danger but are needed. How is the taxpayer going to pay for all this when losing their own jobs left and right in today's world?

[RSM123]

Well, supposing the bulk of service personnel decide that they are chronically undervalued, and decide not to 'reup' ?

Certainly those with years to run on their enlistment contract, can be compelled to remain, but what then ?

Here in the UK, members of the Special Forces have just been offered in the region of 30 % since so many were leaving, and signing up with the numerous 'contractors' companies for exponentially higher fees.

Bottom line - pay them or lose them.

[poochee]

Originally Posted by pugmug

I did and it is a job. Alot of jobs have danger but are needed. How is the taxpayer going to pay for all this when losing their own jobs left and right in today's world?

This is a job like no other job. Consider the fact that many of the people they are protecting are making much more money than they are and are enjoying the comforts of home in safety!

[pugmug]

Lose them to what,the real world. Yes they may get a good job at first and then a few years later the job and even the company are gone. I tell my sons to stay in and make a career of it as you get food,clothes,doctor care,dental,and all other benefits and retire young with a check every month.

[johnnyburst79]

Originally Posted by pugmug

It's a job. At least they get a raise,small but still a raise. Come into the real world where people get layoff's and cutbacks and even shown the street after years of service to their company. It isn't fair but life isn't either.

A 2.2% raise in a time of war is absolutely pathetic, IMO. When I was in, 4 years ago, a 2.2% raise would equate to just under $40 a month. Okay, so they can go on one more date a month, a cheap one.



A good raise would be one where it would give families enough to get off food stamps. Be able to afford off base housing. Live well, not just over the poverty line, or below it in some cases.

But I will say that if you are smart financially you can save money while in the military. Dont go blow it on strippers every month. Dont buy a car and motorcycle at a local dealer. Eat at the mess hall (if you are single). Dont go to clubs every Friday and Saturday night with wads of 20's ready to go.

And guys over there right now are making a fair amount of money, comparatively. All their pay is tax free. They are getting hazardous duty pay, hazardous fire pay, deployment pay, and one more (the name escapes me right now). But the bottom line is that a corporal in the Marines is making about $3000 a month, tax free. And that money is just sitting in his account, collecting interest (if his bank offers that). He has no way to spend it.

I have a very close friend who is the maintenance manager of a shop over in Iraq right now. He is making upwards of $150K a year, the first $80K is tax free. His living expenses? He can barely spend $10K a year for food, etc.

A computer geek can make up to $220K a year there. It is INCREDIBLY tempting right now for me to consider it. A 2 year stint and come home with between $300K and $440K. Very tempting.

[pugmug]

My point !

[katonca]

Originally Posted by Empire2500

Hey katonca,how's it going?

By the way,is that the seal of disapproval?

Hey, it's going well, thanks. Hope the same for you and yours.

This is the OFFICIAL seal of disapproval {{{}}}