Military Pay
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 coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage 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 our 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 opined 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 SIGN AND PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN. THANK YOU.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. AB Shanahan, Kelly M. USAF
2. SrA Macdonnell, M USAF @ Travis AFB
3. A1C Jessica Brewer USAF
4.Ashley O'Kelley
5. D Rogers
6.A1C Clara J. Brucker USAF
7. Amn April L. Severson USAF
8. Amn David "Smitty" Smith USAF
9. A1C AnneMarie Anello USAF
10. A1C Bush, MIchael R. II USAF @ Charleston AFB
11. A1C Lewis, Michael J USAF @ CAFB
12. A1C Bilodeau, Stephanie USAF @ Dover AFB-> my add on...not to mention the hours we work. i hear rumors of us going back to 5 and 2-12's. 60 hours a freaking week. way insane
13. SrA Brower, McGuire AFB USAF
14. SrA Caufield, Andrews AFB, MD USAF
15. Angela Cushing
16.Amy Pickett PAFW to SrA Pickett Andrews AFB
17.Cindy Mitchell..Wife to SrA Mitchell..deployed
18. Nicole Smith, USAF veteran
19. SPC. Todd M. Dicken, USAR (Its about time someone said it!)
20. Ssgt. Jason M. Fox, U.S. Air Force
21. SrA Graham, U.S. Air Force
22. SrA Saludares, U.S. Air Force
23.Carlos Labra
24. SrA Alice Labra, USAF @ Lackland AFB
25. SPC Joanna Estrada, US Army, Fort Riley, KS
26.SPC.Vereen,Jarrett, Us Army Ft.Bliss,TX
26. SGT Brandyburg, Felicia , U.S. ARMY
27. SPC Postell, David, U.S. ARMY
28. SSG Williams, Virgil C., U.S. Army
29. SGT RUDD, Gordon R, U.S. ARMY
30. PFC Morris, Sterfanie, U.S. Army, Camp Hovey, South Korea
31. PFC Perry, US Army, S. Korea
32. SPC Owen, US Army, S. Korea
33. SPC Blake, John, U.S. Army, Camp Castle, South Korea
34. SPC Sinclair, Joseph D, U.S. Army, Camp Castle, South Korea
35. SPC Loforte, Michelle, U.S. Army, Fort Bliss, TX
36. SSG Offerman, Ft. Bliss, TX
37. GSE3 Bollmann, USN
38. DC2 Pettit, USN
39. MN3 Roewe, USN @ Sasebo, Japan
40. MN3 Harvey, USN Sasebo, Japan
41. MN3 ESPOSITO, US NAVY, SASEBO JAPAN
42. MNSN FRANTZ,MICHAEL C., USN< SASEBO JAPAN
43. MNSN ALVARADO,FRANK,A. USN, SASEBO, JAPAN
44. ATAA BELLINGER, SEAN M. USN, NORFOLK, VA
45. Lcpl. Jared Ackerman, USMC ATBN Camp Lejeune, NC
46. Lcpl. Kenneth Pritchard, recently honorably discharged and making more money since I got out
47. Cpl. Emerson Butler, honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps
48. Sgt Edwards, Brian USMC ATBn CLNC
49. Kristen Edwards Proud USMC Wife
50. Jessica Benson Proud USMC Wife
60. Ashley Eastman proud sister of usmc
61. Lcpl. Bethea, J.F. USMC Freedom Isnt Free but if it were up to this lady it sure would be cheap, for most of America
62. Cpl Ramirez, J.D. USMC-If we are overpaid why isnt this BITCH running to the recruiters office n signing up to pick up a goddamn M-16 A-4 service rifle n goin down range n gettin some? That's wut i thought, overpaid my ass BITCH!
63. Lcpl Efaw J L USMC F-2/14
64. Cpl Rayos USMC
65. Shayna M. Haynes, Proud Army Wife, this was so pathetically true!
66. Lisa D. McGinnis - Proud Air Force Wife of SRA Jason McGinnis
67. Michelle wilson- proud air force wife of sgt william wilson
68. Spc Wesley Allen Tusing- US Army Infantry; Djibouti, Africa (12 month rotation)
69: JOHN &THERESA SMITH (PROUD PARENTS OF MILITARY PERSONELL) AND THEY DO NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH PAY FOR PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE IN EXCHANGE FOR DEFENDING YOU AND I
70. SPC M. Morast....United States Army 323rd MSC for 9years
80. Brett Townsend
81.Mike Sachsenmeyer
82. Mandy Lee
83. Amy Wristen~PROUD MARINE WIFE
84.CPL Daniel Wristen PROUD MARINE (medically retired from injuries overseas fighting for your rights!)
84. Christie Barris - Soon-to-be Marine Wife
85. SGT. Jason Aubel - USMC Combat Veteran. Injured in the line of duty defending you and yours.
86. A1C Alesha Russell, Buckley AFB and proud Air Force Wife!
87. SrA Nathan Mobley
88. CDT Laurel Tyson USAF-- Amen A1C!!!
89. PFC Guire US ARMY TANKER Camp Casey South Korea (12 month rotation)
90. PFC Leyva- US Army Tanker. South Korea
91.k-feds' army brat=proud american/soon to be k-feds army wife
92.Jenna- A proud family member of a US Navy man
93. PFC Logan
94. Angelica McGrady
95. CPL David M. Fraise(Alpha co 2/35 25th id Schofield Barracks, Hi)
96.Jenniece Fraise
97. Lindsay Smith- Ex-Army Wife, no longer getting SO MUCH MONEY, lol
98. Hollie McElMurray- proud USMC wife
99. Janai Healy
100. Alison Curtis, proud Marine wife
101. Anne White
102. Kyle Mathes
103. PFC Mathes, Marcus Fort Polk, La.
104. SGT Oberklaus, C. USA
105. Alicia Kemp--proud family member/friend of all branches
106.Tiffanie Howey~)>Grandaughter, cousin, friend, and supporter of all you have served, are serving, or will serve.
107. Katie Brantmyer--One of those in the lower bracket trying to make ends meet....with "all that money"
108. Jenny Bien
109. ADAN Ryan T. Dunn, U.S. Navy, Oceana Naval Base Virginia Beach, VA.
110. AMAN Ryan E. Kidman, U.S. Navy, Nas Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA
111. An Tamra A. Sprague, vfa-106, USN, Nas Oceana -> Virginia Beach, Va. . .. i stand upp for whats right .and wrong
112. AMAN Jaramia Carter, USN, NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA.
113.Chester Bond EX-Marine!
114. Joshua Lintz-USMC
115. Amber Edwards-Spouse of Active Duty USMC
116. Charlie Walker-LCpl, former active duty Marine...Semper Fi !!!
117. Elizabeth Bates Proud family member of the Army National Gaurd.
118. Trista Meehan~ Proud family member of the army(my dad vietnam~my brother the korean war)
119. Mary Hunt - Served in ARMY deployed to Kuwait for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
120. SGT Jacob A Hayzlett, United States Army
121. Tyler Armentrout, just a regular shmoe happy that we have a military protecting our freedoms, being bassasses and such.
122. AB Giovanna Cuellar , USAF, Ramstein AFB Germany
123. A1C Melinda Hine, USAF Defense Language Institute, Monterey CA
124. AMN Cooper-Davis, USAF DLI, Monterey, CA
125. A1C Whitten Charles, USAF DLI, Monterey, CA
126. A1C Jessica Locke, USAF DLI, Monterey, CA
127. A1C Marcus Hamm, USAF, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
128. Kevin Crary- the military is SO underpaid dammit!!!
129. Sgt. joel oates- USMC 3/5
130. Lcpl. Christian Casteel - USMC 2d FAST MCSFCO
131. LCpl. Nathaniel R. Erickson - USMC MCSFCO Kings Bay
132. Lcpl Ryan P Little - USMC MCSFCo KingsBay
133. SSG George Laqua III - US Army
134. SPC Sheena Laqua - US Army Reserves
135. SSG Aaron Donaldson - US Army - JTAGS Dammit!
136. PFC Jessica Miller- US Army
137. Millissa Gatewood~US Army spouce
138. SGT Luke Gatewood~ US Army
139. PFC Corey Myers~ US Army National Guard
140. A1C Tracy "TT Boy" Thompson~ US Air Force Hanscom,
141. SSG Turner, Curtis *US Army Reserves ~ Bagram Afghanistan
142. A1C Girola, Hector-US Air Force
143. LCpl Everette, Ashley USMC 3MARDIV Intel
144. LCPL ADDYE, USMC, Al Asad, Iraq
145. PFC Johnson, Christopher, USMC, Camp Fallujah, Iraq
146. Amn Beall, USAF Beale AFB CA
147. GySgt. Alsleben, USMC, MCAS New River, NC
148. Tsgt. Rondel Blythe, Jr. USAF, Jacksonville, Fl
149. Dawn Blythe
150. Stacy McDonald~soon to be ex Navy Wife~little pay & hard on a marriage
151. Nathaniel Wallace, Deployed and still noy getting paid
152. SSG Bailey, Eric A. US Army ~ Taji Iraq
153. SSG Carr, Dustin A. US Army-training Soldiers in APG,MD
154. SFC, MASON I. US ARMY- APG, MD
155. Nydia~Proud family member, friend and supporter of all our brave men and women risking their lives for peanuts.
156. Stacey- Proud wife of USMC retired
157. Laura Williams- USMC wife. Husband is currently deployed.
158. Lilly- Wife of deployed US Marine.
159. Cpl Christie,E. USMC
160. Jeannie Appel Friends and Familiy in Military Fontana, Ca
161. Joseph Arner - Friend of USAF Tommy Shier.
162. Alexander Orion Dabney - friends in the sevice, and family history
163/ Meghan Smith- Dads in the navy, and have a few friends in iraq right now.
164. Corlene K. Jackson - my father was in viet nam and few of his friends came home... and more friends than id like will soon be in iraq.
165. Elijah Richmond- Older brother is in the armed forces and many friends from Highschool have gone to Iraq or will be there soon.
166.Caroline Yager-a few friends and family are/have been in the military
168. Tonya Mullinix- had family that have been in the military and know a few people in there now
169. Mindy~ I have a cousin overseas and lots of friends and more are going if my cousin or friends read this i want to thank u again and everyone else ...
170.Cecilee~ US Army Spouce
171. Samantha Cartwright-proud Army MP's wife. This is bull crap. I'd love to meet this woman. I'd also love to see her live off of a servicemember's pay. GOD BLESS OUT TROOPS! Thank you all!
172.SrA Van Tassel, Roger US Air Force
173. Branlin Yarbrough , Veteran USAF
174. TSgt(s) Eric Ferro, Pope AFB, NC
175. SSgt Erica Schutte, Bagram AF, Afghanistan
176. SSgt Samantha Ramirez, Bagram AB, Afghanistan
177. SrA Tanya M Williams, Holloman AFB, NM
188. SrA J. Tenorio, Balad AFB, Iraq " Babe I'll be home soon! I love you!"
189. Joshua Casey, Veteran, USAF
190. Heather Fontenot
191. Ryan Pleasants
192. 2LT Ray Meade US Army NG
193. Kathryn Trosclair
194. Jennifer Owen- Brothers/Nephews in the Army, Marines and Navy
195. Nikki Barrineau - Active Duty
196. Michelle Harkey, Veteran, USAF
197. Former SrA Legette-Proud wife of a deployed Airman and Army and Marine Sister
198. Erika Perez - Former US MARINE & proud sister of former Airman and deployed Army soldier
199. mary trinh - friend n cousin of soldiers that served and is serving
200. Stanisha-proud girlfriend of Tranika (stationed in Ft. Drum, NY but currently deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan. I love and miss you so much!!!!
201. Raymond Weemes-Medically Retired Army Military Police (OIF Vet)
202. Peggy Langley
203. Kristin Owens ~ Army wife~Germany
204. SPC Timothy Motte- Bravo Battery 2-1 BN, 35th Air Defense Artillery Regiment
205. SGT Heppell Gregory- Bravo Battery 2-1 ADA BN, 35th ADA BDE
206. SPC TIBBS MICHAEL- BRAVO BRTY OUTLAWS 2-1 ADA 35TH BDE
207. SPC Olmos, Gabriela- A Btry, 1-43 AMD, 35th Bde-Suwon AB, Korea
208. SPC.Lamonica, Russell A -- A Btry,1-43 AMD,35 Bde-Suwon AB.S.Korea.(1yr12days)nov05-06 tour
209. SPC Gustafson,Timothy T.-A Btry,1/43 AMD,35th Bde-Suwon AB-S.Korea
210. SPC William J Hajnos B 2-1 ADA 35TH BDE Gwang-Ju AB South Korea
