[Rhodes22-list] Political:Off to Iraq re: Dave

[3drecon at comcast.net]

I never felt as though you diss'ed my service.  I feel it is an honor to serve my country and it is what I have chosen to do.  If my service keeps those who would rather not serve from having to, then it is part of my contribution.  I collected the benefits, pay, and training so when I was called I went.  Very simple.  If I didn't want to go, I could have resigned a long time ago.

The money isn't bad but I've known people over the last three years who have sold their businesses to serve, investment bankers who took huge pay cuts to serve, lawyers who gave up half their practise to serve (not to serve as lawyers but as Intelligence Officers), etc.  I could go on.  I know more people who lost money answering the recall than I know of who made money.  I was lucky and ended up nearly even.  For me the down side is being away from the family.  That may be better soon as I await orders.

Philip


-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: DCLewis1 at aol.com 

> 
> Philip, 
> 
> Thanks for your response. I sense a bit of frustration in your reply. Let 
> me be clear, I’m not dissing your service, and I’m not claiming that the 
> decision to make a career in the military is entirely about cash and benefits. 
> That was not my intent. But I think you and I agree that “at the margin” 
> bonuses, extra pay, tax exemptions, etc are used as recruiting, re-enlistment, 
> and retention incentives, and that they are effective inducements. You 
> spelled out many of them but made the point that no one does it to be rich. I 
> completely agree with you, but clearly they are inducements. I do think that 
> many 
> young people do as well or better financially in the service than they would 
> do in the private civilian sector. I know a guy that was called up (the 
> same guy I posted about previously) that is doing better financially as an enli 
> sted rank in the Army than he did as a surveyors assistant (his civilian job 
> before he was called up), I suspect his experience is not uncommon - but it's 
> not about being rich. You and I also agree that those inducements also apply 
> to some officers - by no means all officers. 
> 
> As to the Navy’s “fighting land battalion”, I don’t know anything about 
> that. The Navy has had landed battalions forever - think of the 
> CBs(Construction Battalions). What I think the Spec Opns bonuses are about are 
> SEAL Teams, 
> and I believe they have been in the fight (any fight, you pick, they love to 
> fight) from t = 0. 
> 
> Again, I am not dissing your or any service persons service, rather I’m 
> saying that pay, bonuses, and benefits are an important part of the package, 
> that 
> they matter, and that they are a part of the career decision each individual 
> in the service makes. 
> 
> Dave 
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