As a UKsoldier in Iraq, why am I being paid less than a waiter, to be shot at and forgotten when its all over?

Answer 1

your economics is out of date mate
sign up and take the consequences

Answer 2

You are definately getting paid more than a waiter. In civy street you would be a qualified worker, or professional person on your wages. You also have good mortgages with the forces and a reasonable pension plan. You also have reasonable career prospects and the chance to gain qualifications.

For this (and this is the not so fine print that you should have read before joining), you will be shot at and the general public will not appreciate anything that you have had to endure, or understand the reasons behind it.

To borrow from a famous unit motto, the Army is your country. If you do not understand this, you should get out.

Answer 3

You are having a laugh mate .. what about the extra money you get for being there? is is lssa? You are on more than a waiter mate and you will have your nice bonus(over 3k) when you leave theatre so stop being silly and consider re badging to gods core the royal engineers ps you aint meant to spend valuable time on the internet sending divvy questions when people r waiting for you to get off so they can e mail home

Answer 4

You need to state how much you're paid (at least roughly). I'm in the RAF and, as I'm on the higher payband (Techie) I get paid more than a waiter (I would get paid more if I was a civilian techie, and have to put up with less crap, but I choose to serve my Country). Sorry mate, but you knew how much you'd get paid and what you'd get up to, so you'll just have to grin and bear it until you can PVR or you serve your contracted time.

Good luck out there mate, make it back safely!

I generally agree in a way though, the British military is not as respected as it should be. We are fighting forgotten wars.

Answer 5

Were your drafted (I don't know if UK even has a draft) or did you join. If you joined, it was your decision, so stop complaining. Solders go to war, what did you think they would have you doing if you joined the army, knitting baby booties? I think you are correct that you may be forgotten when the war is over, but everyone in every job is forgotton, do you revere the store clerk (or even the waiter) after they retire, I think not, you forget them too.

Answer 6

You have total support from the people of Britain but a serious lack of support from the political leadership - the government in power. The pressure is on and a number of MPs have already backed moves to increase front line pay in line with other NATO armies in the field, Canada etc.

Answer 7

When you joined the army, you were told exactly how much you would earn and what you would be expected to do in return for it. You also receive free clothing, accommodation food etc. Soldiers are well paid. Stop whinging, a small proportion of soldiers, ( who are now having to do what soldiers are supposed to do) are starting to complain about their present situation. These men are a disgrace to the ernest, brave men who are doing their job for their country, for which we are all thankfull. Good Luck to these men and a safe return home.

Answer 8

With all due respect, why did you join the army when you knew how bad the wages would be?
As a positive, your role as a soldier carries a lot of prestige and respect - you wouldn't get that as a waiter.

Answer 9

you joined the army by choice so you knew what you were getting into at the time. {i have my doubts you are in Iraq or even in the army for that matter}
if you joined the army you knew the wages and were happy enough collecting them while you played boy scouts in some remote part of Britain.
stop complaing and get back to what you are suppose to be doing out there {not that i agree with usa and britain being there at all both countries are too fond of sticking there nose were it dosnt belong history will tell you that }

Answer 10

No you're not. You have about as much idea about soldiering as I know about the back side of the moon. The lads out there are getting paid a decent scratch, and it is more than what a waiter gets. They aren't in it for the glory.

You offend the REAL soldiers of the British Army with that.

Why don't you go out and play with the traffic or something?

Answer 11

Because you are a true professional. Like all true professionals its the job not the gain that's the motivation. Can you imagine if the government made "soldiers under fire" a very high paid job? Instead of another trained professional watching your back you would have a whole company of nutters shooting anything that moved, including you probably. You can look back one day proud in the knowledge that you served your country, not many of us can do that. You mostly only hear from critics in the news, believe me the masses are behind you! Chin up old chap!