I'd be interested in your opinions on this article....?

Question

6 Figure Bonuses Retain US Commandos.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071012/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/pentagon_commando_costs

The last part about the military drain being blown out of proportion is particularly interesting.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

My take on this is that the bonuses were authorized in 2004 to stop the flow of experienced people out of the military. There is no longer a big problem losing these people to civilian or mercenary positions.

Good news. While it sounds like an exorbitant price to pay, training new special forces people to replace those leaving the service would cost many times the amount of money spent on bonuses. Their experience is also invaluable for training their eventual replacements. These same people could probably make even more in civilian life.

Answer 2

Paying people 'extra', in this case up to $35,000 to stay in the service, or other amounts to enlist in the first place can only be called desperation. Dropping the standards to enlist those with felonies gives the term 'all volunteer' a bottom of the barrel aroma. What we have now is the beginning of a 'mercenary' armed force...those who fight for money and who's loyalty is to those who pay them. How long before we begin to offer foreigners cash and citizenship for X number of years of service? There's something terribly wrong when US citizens have 'other priorities' more pressing than serving their country and are 'okay' with paying others to serve in their stead. This has to be reversed and the only way to reverse it is to go back either to a draft, or even better, universal military service such as the Swiss or the Israelis. If we have a society that won't serve, doesn't feel obligated to even pay taxes, has a government that scorns the spirit of our Constitution and citizens that won't take the time to become informed or even vote, we have a brewing situation akin to the melting of the artic ice pack.....what we have now will be no more. I read the artical about the bonus' for service and it sickened me...wave the made in China flag, but never step up when your country calls...how pitiful is that? Granted this adminstration and its phoney war is mostly to blame, but the trend is now set and it's a downhill trend....extra money for the same service..how bogus!

Answer 3

I support the use of mercenaries. As another poster stated, these men don't cost our nation nearly as much as it would cost to fully train a new recruit.

And, I firmly believe that those who put their lives on the line in the name of the US should be paid enough that they are able to make true longterm differences in their life upon coming home.

God bless them.

Answer 4

When citizens defend their homes and families pay is of little interest. They fight because they consider it necessary. When you dispatch men to attack someone else's homes and families you need to pay them well. It’s always been this way. That’s why mercenaries don't come cheap. Whatever uniform a person wears, if they fight for money they are a mercenary.

Answer 5

Its about time and for the uninformed lib up top BLACKWATER USA is a private firm and they can pay what they want Too bad they don't need selfproclaimed flyboys

Answer 6

The monarchy utilized mercenaries to attempt to subdue the revolutionaries.

(in the 18th century)

Answer 7

I'd rather pay bonuses to REAL soldiers, than for-profit blackwater guards!

Very good idea to help retain the best of the best.

Answer 8

When you need trained men you have to pay for them. I would rather have good trained soldiers than some rookie beside me when the crap hits the fan.

Answer 9

Hes a stand over guy. all the individuals donating funds are small people who artwork for him. Why does not he placed his funds the place his mouth is and donate his funds no longer the littlew peoples funds???

Answer 10

lmao yeah i think we should send the polititions in there and load them up with armory and see if they can do any better and then maybe all this bs will stop.