Post by freebird on Apr 8, 2009 8:02:41 GMT -6
This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams'
> editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should
> be printed in all newspapers across America .
>
> On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and
> Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing
> the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year -- citing that
> the stated
> 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.
>
> A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article
> below. He ought to get a bonus for this.
>
>
> "Ms Williams:
>
> I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our
> GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where
> this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it
> disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and
> Accounting Service)and my bank account.
>
> Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I
> make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I
> run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of
> $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.
>
> I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I
> am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network I am
> involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems
> equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the
> Washington , D.C. area reveals a position in my career field,
> requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does
> NOT pay $13,413..60 a year.. No, this job is being offered at $70,000
> to $80,000 per annum...
>
> I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.
>
> Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that
> you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces
> Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional
> and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the
> military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest
> that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I
> leave the choice of service branch up to you.
>
> Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX
> month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away
> from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment
> experience."
>
> As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure
> to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their
> loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still
> unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary
> breadwinner is gone obviously they've been squandering the "vast"
> piles of cash the government has been giving them.
>
> Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and
> Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over
> there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night;
> and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on
> shift to relieve you for chow, remember this:
>
> trade whatever MRE (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to
> get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add
> Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones
> as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often
> enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have
> picked up on the fact that
>
> I disagree with most of the points you present in your
> opened piece.
>
> But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death
> your right to say it. You see, I am an American fighting man, a
> guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you
> cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide
> ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at
> us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under
> conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best
> and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the
> stability and pay of civilian companies.
>
> And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we
> make more than we deserve? Rubbish!
>
> A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC
>
>
> IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE
> AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND
> WOMEN. THANK YOU. Could we ever pay enough ?
> editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should
> be printed in all newspapers across America .
>
> On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and
> Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing
> the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year -- citing that
> the stated
> 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.
>
> A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article
> below. He ought to get a bonus for this.
>
>
> "Ms Williams:
>
> I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our
> GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where
> this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it
> disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and
> Accounting Service)and my bank account.
>
> Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I
> make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I
> run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of
> $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.
>
> I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I
> am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network I am
> involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems
> equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the
> Washington , D.C. area reveals a position in my career field,
> requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does
> NOT pay $13,413..60 a year.. No, this job is being offered at $70,000
> to $80,000 per annum...
>
> I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.
>
> Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that
> you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces
> Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional
> and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the
> military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest
> that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I
> leave the choice of service branch up to you.
>
> Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX
> month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away
> from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment
> experience."
>
> As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure
> to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their
> loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still
> unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary
> breadwinner is gone obviously they've been squandering the "vast"
> piles of cash the government has been giving them.
>
> Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and
> Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over
> there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night;
> and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on
> shift to relieve you for chow, remember this:
>
> trade whatever MRE (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to
> get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add
> Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor. Talk to your loved ones
> as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often
> enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have
> picked up on the fact that
>
> I disagree with most of the points you present in your
> opened piece.
>
> But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death
> your right to say it. You see, I am an American fighting man, a
> guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you
> cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide
> ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at
> us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under
> conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best
> and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the
> stability and pay of civilian companies.
>
> And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we
> make more than we deserve? Rubbish!
>
> A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC
>
>
> IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE
> AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND
> WOMEN. THANK YOU. Could we ever pay enough ?