Why don't we REALLY support the troops?

Question

GW and his lot always preach about supporting the troops. But, he & his administration is responsible for paying contractors way more $ than soldiers for doing the EXACT SAME THING. I work with a lady who's son is a contractor, and he makes over 6 figures (150K is what she said) plugging in computers ALONGSIDE soldiers who make barely more than 25K. Did I also forget to mention that he pays no taxes on it? Last I heard soldiers were not exempt. So much for that LIE that certain people say about how the private sector can do things so much more efficiently and cheaper. How bout we pass a bill MANDATING the same pay for soldiers as contractors who do the same type job!

Answer 1

I was in the Army in Iraq, and I worked right next to those men and women who did 1/8th of the job for 8 times the money. It is rediculous, and there is NO ANSWER to your question. I agree with you about mandating the same pay... will it happen, we can only hope!!! And only about 50% of AMERICANS support the troops that fight for thier freedom and right to think!!! How is that for Rediculous.

Answer 2

First off lets consider what your saying, a solder signed a contract to join the military. It is his/her job to go over there and do it and they knew it when they signed up. If there is no war they get paid nearly the same amount of money (no hazard duty and combat pay). IT is part of the job, and its the bottom line.

Second, you have to realize there are some things that require a higher level of specialization. So the need of a contractor is actually higher than you might believe. Then you also must consider the need of people to volunteer for the job that are not in the service a contractor will not take military pay to do that. It is not part of his job description and some sort of compensation is required.

Third, lets consider the factors and cost of training a soldier to the level of a contractor. A soldier is not born over night, training is involved and in some cases lots of it. With a contractor there is no training cost because they are already proficient at the job. There is also the cost of equipment for a solder that is not provided to the contractor etc.

These are things you need to consider before makings statements like that. Think of building a house, why are there subcontractors? Just a thought.

Also the military has a progressive pay scale depending on rank and time in service. So not every soldier is making 25,000 a year. I also find 25,000 to be a rather low number based on the pay scale (but possible). You should look it up, the lowest possible pay a month for serving in Iraq is as follows:
For a PV1 with more than 4 months in that has no dependents.
Base pay: 1301.4
Hazard Duty: 150.00
Hostile Fire: 225.00
BAH: 295.20
and a partial BAS I believe
either or grand total 1971.60 a month. 23659.20 a year.

Now lets consider the highest for enlisted is
E-9 > 24 years (no dependents)
Base pay: 5512.80
BAH: 729.00
Hazard Duty: 150.00
Hostile Fire: 225.00
Total: 6,616.80 a month. 79,401.60 a year.

Now lets not forget the increase you have if you have dependents there is a 250 family separation pay as well as an increase in BAH.

So I think its rather unfair to even criticize pay of military soldiers before you look at what the are really receiving. One incident does not mean everyone is.

Also i would like it noted contractors pay is not totally tax free. You should also look up on the soldiers pay as well, because it is indeed exempt.

Lets not forget a soldier is a soldier and a public servant. I would also like to say i spent my time over there and i saw contractors that got paid more than me, but they deserve it. There really are things they can do that soldiers cant.

Also i would like to say there are A LOT of contractors over there that make A LOT less than an American soldier does.

Answer 3

I agree; I would love to make more money. Thing is, it'll never happen. Contractors are paid by their company, not the government. If I made 125k a year, I would be better paid than a congressman, and congress is never going to let that happen.

Deployed soldiers are exempt from federal taxes, but I don't think I make 25k. And as far as I know, only the first 80k is tax exempt, but I would gladly pay taxes on anything over than.

Answer 4

The military is making some very good money nowadays, and the incentives that certain MOS's get are very large.

When you take into account the money and time it takes to train some of our military, especially the operators. Civilian contractors don't have it so much better. All of their expenses back home (mortgages, health care, food, etc) is up to them.

The companies that provide and coordinate the contractors are businesses and are entitled to make a profit.

The devil is in the details.

Answer 5

obviously it turned right into a danger. Saddam became engaged on guns of mass destruction, and used them. He became interior hours of using them antagonistic to Israel at the same time as the first Gulf war made it impractical to finish that. The danger on the time that such WMD would fall into the fingers of al Qaeda kinds became authentic on the time, and nevertheless is. If the U. S. does no longer prevail in Iraq, we would assume that it ought to grow to be a house for an al-Qaeda - Taliban conspiracy merely as Afghanistan became, and with the WMD next door in Syria, it does no longer be lengthy earlier they manifest in the U. S.. it extremely is why calls to deliver US troops out of Iraq are so stupid.

Answer 6

Why would you pay someone more than you have to.
They are Govt. property and as in any job when the tool gets old and rusty dull or dusty you get a new tool.
Not saying it is right just the way it is.
My problem is not with pay specifically but righteous treatment or lack thereof.

Answer 7

I applaud you...seriously! When I was in the army I got so pi$$ed off when I had a civilian working with me, rather, watching me work when he had time off, paid overtime and all that extra good stuff that civilians take for granted.

Answer 8

THAT WOULD BE A START, PAYING THE soldiers more.
I strongly advocate that.

Better yet, bring them back out of harm's way and give them the best post-war treatment.

Answer 9

Yes, this is really a slap across our military's face by bush & co.

Not to mention that it is our military's job to actually protect those private contractor's lazy behinds.

.

Answer 10

I might have believed you until you said he paid no taxes on it. But really, find anything to tell yourself, that helps you sleep.