Should the troops that protect our freedoms receive better compensation and benefits??

Question

We rely on a few to do our heavy lifting and put their lives on the line. We also pay crazy salaries to many who benefit from the freedoms and security these few provide.It seems unjust that most Americans prosper while many in uniform struggle to make ends meet!

Answer 1

I'm sure that those in uniform (me, included) would love more money for what we do.

That being said, the reasons for joining the military are quite diverse. Some join out of patriotic obligation, some to escape from negative life situations, money for college, etc. For as many people who join, there are probably that many reasons why.

There are several reasons that prevent soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from getting more money.

1. The U.S. government has limited money (believe it or not.) The modern Defense Department has shown a propensity to throw money at technical solutions to military problems as opposed to investing in human capital. This is showing no signs of abating. I think most people would be surprised by the percentage of DoD budget that goes to salaries and other compensation.

2. The nature of capitalism and a free market economy is that people who earn "crazy salaries" do so because society values the service they provide. While people can argue that they don't value them, their spending habits do not support this claim.

3. As long as people will volunteer for military service knowing well in advance that the compensation and benefits package is what it is, why would the government change it?

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I agree, but hey, im in the Army, so i guess im biased. People will say that we make enough, since you can go online and see exactly what we make, and we are given housing, but i believe that we make far less than we should. But how to pay for it? To increase our pay, taxes would need to increase, and seeing how we pay taxes, it probably wouldnt even reach us anyway. Kind of funny don't you think, we basically pay our own salary. Anyhow, to those who think that people join the military because we are stupid, uneducated and of low class, i guess my masters from the University of Pennsylvania is null and void since i enlisted and I did have a very good job in the civilian world, i just prefer the military...i love my job.

Answer 4

Yes I feel that the few Americans who join the Armed Forces should be making more for what they do, ESPECIALLY the Army and the Marines. What they are currently partaking in surpasses what a lot of people in other branches have to do.

Answer 5

Yes; absolutely. In the civilian world, I made more money in 1 year than I did all 4 years I spent in the military. They should increase their wages and provide better after care for veterans. There is no way that any veteran should be on the streets. That's ridiculous.........be all you can be.

Answer 6

A civilian I know recommended that military personnel should receive a lifetime 5% discount on federal income tax for each year of service. So a 20 year veteran would have no taxes on ordinary income. Sounds fair to me!

Answer 7

Yes they should. I just wish our troops were doing that instead of carrying out Bush's profit and world domination plans. It would be sooooo cool if our soldiers were defending us instead of being on an illegal offensive as directed by our traitorous president.

But YES, soldiers deserve exceptional pay, especially when in the field.

Answer 8

Take a look at this pay table I found. I think our troops are well paid. In addition they get housing allowances and free medical care.

Answer 9

If you compare a military to civy job same responsibilites, the military pay is awful. They have needed a pay that means something for years.

Answer 10

Have you only just figured out how American society works???

How are they saving my life by the way? Is an Iraqi due to kill me soon?