Do any other military families feel like this?

Question

My husband has served proudly in the US Navy for 16 1/2 years. My question to you other military families is simple one. Are you frustrated that while our spouses are willing to put their lives on the line every day for our country that they are barely receiving enough income to make ends meet? That most military families can qualify for goverment subsidised programs to help them exsist. That while sports figures are making hundreds of thousands of dollars every time they play their prospective games and our deemed hero's to our children the men and woman that protect our country are all but overlooked. I am incredibly proud of my husband and what he does for our country. Unfortunately not to many people want to sign up for a job that demands so much and pays so little. What do you think?

Answer 1

That's how it has always been ma'am. Our country has a history of overlooking what is really important to us and not giving a damn until it's gone. Look at it this way... less pay, more people, bigger military. It's really not of any benefit for us, but usually... we don't do it because of the money. It's the honor of serving and being given the title Soldier, Marine, etc.

Answer 2

Roadwarrior, Are you some type of Idiot or something? I hope you know that someone with a degree given to them through the military and has the training and is applying for the same job as you are that the employer is more likely to hire the Soldier than e would you. I believe that all who enlist are intelligent, we know that in order to keep our freedoms that we need to fight and if it means war, then bring it on. We don't want to go to war at times but its our job, we signed the papers knowing full well what we are getting ourselves into and we did it anyway.
As for if i feel sympathy for military families the answer is yes. I come from a military background and i myself is in the military. I'm single so i don't see too much of a difference in my pay, but im in as an E-2. through different certificates i aquired. I knew the military was the job for me, i have always been talking about
going into the military since i was the age of four. (i'm 18 now.) I never could see me going into college after highschool. it just isn't the place for me. My idol was NEVER a celebrity or a sports star. in fifth grade, my hero was a U.S. Soldier, it didn't matter who it was all that counted is that they were a soldier. but when i said that the other kids laughed at me, i guess at that age they were not grasped around the idea that the troops are the real people that need to be praised like i was raised. I am pround to call myself a Soldier. and i praise my " Brothers and Sisters" that are in uniform as well.

Answer 3

Service members have been complaining about poor pay since Julius Caesar was a Roman General.

And service members will be complaining about poor pay when they are stationed at MARS Base Alpha 300 years from now.

Mostly it has to do with the law requiring 4 star generals to make less than members of Congress. By the time you separate the pay grades down to the lower enlisted ranks there just isn't enough room to allow much more pay.

In the old days, you actually had E-6's making more than some E-7's because of time in service and time in grade pay raises, But that changed under Reagan.

All we can do is keep pushing congress for more and better pay raises and to keep increasing special pays like family separation allowances to offset the lower base pay.

30 year Army Brat and USAF Vet.

Answer 4

Big Dave, it is not just about pay. These families give up a lot, and make more sacrifices than the average family ever has to. It isn't easy when they are deployed, for them or the families that they leave behind. The worry never ends, the dangers that they have to face every day. But most of them, if not all, will tell you that it is their job, and they do it without complaining. God bless all of them and their families too, they are working hard to keep it all together and doing a fantastic job!!.

Answer 5

Big Dave, I think you missed the question and the whole point of it. It's CRAZY to see how much worship and money celebrities & sports players get. What exactly do they have to be praised for?? Because they're talented? That's great, it's a beautiful thing to have the talents they have...however it's wrong that todays society idolizes someone like that more than they do a Soldier. Even if we dont' agree with the war we have to give our troops more support and recognize what they're doing. Even if it is a job, our troops are risking their lives, being away from their families and friends. I agree that they do need to be paid better and overall appreciated more. God Bless the USA and our Troops :-)

Answer 6

Hasn't anyone told you that the toughest job in the Navy is the Navy wife? I spent 20 years in and my wife practically raised all 3 of my children. I was never home because of deployment or with a detachment or TAD. It's very hard to be a Navy wife. It takes guts and a lot of hard work on your part. Your right to want the respect that you truly deserve. Thank your husband for his service for me and thank you for your service to him!

Answer 7

I served as well, and the only thing that helped me get past the facts you so clearly laid out was that I knew how it was when I signed on the dotted line. It can be frustrating, but no one held a gun to my head to make me do it.

Answer 8

I agree, it seems at times the pay system for enlisted ranks is based on a service member being single for their whole career. It is not set up, nor pay enough for a military family.

Answer 9

The Canadian Military used to be the same way. However the government has realized the value of our troops, and made things a heck of a lot better for them.

I really hope that the US starts to realize the value of their troops as well. I have a lot of respect for you and your family.

Answer 10

i feel the same way. My hub makes crappy money and i dont work, im going through school to be a nurse and stay home with the kids.