Comments (10)

1. 

   Community Member

   You obviously did not put in your 20. because if you had, I believe you wouldn't even think of bringing that up. 20yr veterans are generally up to par with a person who has performed manual labor for 50yrs. The toll is a lot greater physically and mentally than any of you civilians can begin to imagine and every minute is earned without forcing another 10yrs into servitude. Making us "Serve" after our retirement would be mute point with technology, tactics and strategym equipment and resources changing by the day almost and it would take a full time job just trying to stay current. Thanks for your vote of confidence for us veterans. What is needed is less handouts by the federal Government to those who refuse to work. Stop all subsidies, foreign and domestic. Do away with the IRS and go to a Fair Tax system for everyone. Close all other agencies (Like HUD and Department of energy; Department of Education; Health and Human Services; Homeland Security; Environmental Protection Agency; Look very closely at closing the FED as well, etc. and turn these programs and services that might be needed over to the states and use contractors to perform those functions in a competitive based system) Put an end to the money pot Social Security System for those who have not yet entered the workforce and let them decide how they want to be financially prepared for their retirement, not forced by the government. it was never intended to be a permanent institution; offer buyouts for those younger workforce persons and let attrition take care of the rest with the benefits they now possess and count on; Greatly reduce the following: starting at the top, significantly reduce Congressional pay and budgets; eliminate all perks. Limit terms to two with no retirement bennies; cut staffs by half; No week off for "Spring Break" or President's Day or any other days other than Federal Holidays; End the practice of securing a Library for every President; Cease ALL foreign aid to all but those of the poorest, neediest nations; Charge the UN rent and raise all fees for diplomats if they want to participate in the United Nations here in the US, we pay NOTHING as host. To make a long list short, Return to a Constitutional Convention on doing the people's business and security in the United States. Congress has corrupted and abused the system for entirely too long and this is where it has got us. Get individuals like George Soros and others like him out of the picture. We don't need socialism or a Monarchy, He is not a true American and was never elected for anything to do with our business, so why is he and others influencing the way business is conducted, in a way we wouldn't? Return to a truly free market system and let them flourish opr fail; fine or fee those who would take their companies overseas and cost American jobs. The antics now occuring in the halls of Congress are shameful and impotent. If there were truly a desire to do the peoples business for purely patriotic purposes only, we wouldn't be having any of these discussions (or problems) and so-called emergency actions and if it isn't forced to stop, then we are surely doomed to be as but slaves to the elite and unelected/unnaccountable in Washington without the Freedoms our founding Fathers established for us and future generations to enjoy and prosper in.

   2 years ago

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2. 

   Community Member

   As a military member, I would suggest instead a graduated retirement payscale starting at 15 yrs. This permits members who are ready to leave at 15 some incentive to depart quickly, permitting more motivated personnel to take their place. (Training should be only conducted by sharp active duty and retirees, hired on as civil servants.) We already permit some personnel to stay up to 30 years, provided they are making rank. However, in the Air Force, the problem is not with retention but with force reduction. A 15+ year option for retirement would encourage more people to leave voluntarily, albeit with a lower stipend.

   2 years ago

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3. 

   Community Member

   Graduated retirement would work.Going 30 years, especially with the "up or out" philosphy that was at one time required in the U S Army, is almost impossible. The physical tolls are daunting and no-one needs someone to hang in there for another 5 or 10 years just to get their retirement check. There are simply not many U S Army officers, at least, who retire. At one point in the 1980s, it was 1 out of every 100 who entered Active duty retired from Active Duty. I'd also like to end the mandatory up or out. I've known too many good E-6s and O-3s who left because they were great at that level but could not handle the politics that occur above that pay grade. Why keep bringing on board LTs who are green as grass to replace Captains who can keep soldier's alives. Same for Staff Sergeants. NCOs are the backbone of the Army and we cleaned them out after Persian Gulf One. Helped the Reserve and Guard but hurt, I have no doubt, the Active Duty force.

   2 years ago

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4. 

   Community Member

   Let's not increase the total number of years (to 30)to be eligible for retirement, but simply postpone receiving the pension until age 60.

   2 years ago

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5. 

   Community Member

   I think that civilians should have no say in anything military related. If they want us to serve for another 10 years, I say make every person do 10 years mandatory service. Then they can decide how harsh that extra 10 years is.

   2 years ago

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6. 

   Community Member

   Dear Civilian (because if you think this is a good idea, I bet that's what you are.) I have given you 17 years of my life, so far. I have spent years away from my family, I have worked on Christmas and holidays while you were at the mall. I have worked counter-terrorism missions on Memorial Day (did you remember me?) and Veteran's Day. Apparently these are days that people buy mattresses for 50% off in your world.

   Now that I am older, carrying physical and psychological wounds that I will have for the rest of my life, I spend my time preparing the new recruits to take my place. I do this willingly, enthusiastically, and well. But if you told me I had to continue for another 12 years instead of 2, I would quit today, becasue I have honored my oath and I expect my nation to honor hers. I have given you half of my life, every day since I was 18. Asking me to wait longer for my retirement (at 60 or 70 or any other age) than the slacker who joined at 28 would be an insult, asking me to stay longer would be breach of our contract.

   ... offering staggered early out at starting 15 with reduced benefits? Maybe, if it was voluntary, if the percentages were fair... it might get rid of some deadwood... or you might owe extra money to some of the very VERY good people I know who have walked away *DISGUSTED* at 16, 17, 18 years because of comments like yours... if you want to save money on the military, keep treating us like dirt... we'll leave.

   2 years ago

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7. 

   Community Member

   We should stop cliff vesting and instead use matching contributions in a 401K-like program plus bonuses at key promotion/selection/service (include deployment time as a key bonus) points. "Fully-funded" retirement should be limited.

   2 years ago

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8. 

   Community Member

   I am not proposing any breach of contract. I, too, am a SOLDIER--of 28 years. I wholeheartedly concur that all promises to current military members should be kept. I, too, am bitter about reductions to the benefits promised!

   I simply suggest that contracts/pensions for future members of the military be modified. There is no other organization that offers a full retirement pension during one's prime earning years.

   2 years ago

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9. 

   Community Member

   I'd trade my 21 years with a civilian in a heartbeat! We would not have a military if not for the 20 year retirement and benefits! The only people I know of that complain are people that procrastinated, and say why does he have that? Plain and simple jealousy.

   2 years ago

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10. 

    Community Member

    This is a very bad idea. You'd have a lot of single old men and women retiring alone and angry. Pass.

    I've met so many "broken" or "breaking" Soldiers. Knee injuries, back injuries, brain injuries, addictions brought on by stress. NO JOB that is such high stress should be "required" for such a long period of time - besides, the health care it would take to nurse these poor souls would break the bank.

    "Continuous high stress weakens and tears down the body and mind." Why do you think such a small percentage of Americans are Soldiers??????

    2 years ago

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