For the sake of a balanced political view: Many veterans support Obama

[Amy in NH]

including my stepfather who enlisted and served on the front lines in Vietnam when he was only 20 years old.

 

 

 

Why I Support Barack

Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, USAF (Ret)

"Simply put, Barack Obama has the judgment, wisdom, courage, experience, and leadership capability that we desperately need in the next commander of our nation's precious resources – our men and women in uniform.

 

I met Barack Obama last August, when I accompanied him on a 5-nation, 15-day tour of Africa.

 

On that trip I gained a deep understanding of the leadership qualities that Senator Obama would bring to the presidency.

 

One story from that trip in particular sticks out. It happened during our stop in Kenya. It was Senator Obama’s third trip back to his father’s homeland and it was an incredibly moving experience.

 

In Kenya we met with President Mwai Kibaki. Kenya has a history of difficulties with government corruption. It would have been easy for Senator Obama to stay on the edges of the conversation and not push any controversial issues. After all, he was a relatively new U.S. Senator.

 

But Senator Obama didn’t do that. His broad life experience has given him courage and judgment beyond what we might expect.

 

Senator Obama looked President Kibaki in the eye, and with a respectful but forceful tone, urged him to work on the issues that are keeping Kenya from progressing as a nation.

 

It was an incredible thing to watch. It was also very instructive and told me a lot about his character and courage.

 

That was just one moment on that trip that gave me so much insight into who Senator Obama is as a leader.

 

The other big factor for me is Senator Obama's longtime opposition to the war in Iraq. Senator Obama had the courage in 2002 to oppose the war. It was not politically expedient at the time, and it was not easy. But Senator Obama had the courage to oppose the war, and the judgment and wisdom to understand the consequences of a protracted occupation of Iraq.

 

And while Senator Obama opposed the strategy of this war from the beginning, he understands the value of our service men and women. He understands that they are a precious resource and that we make a sacred promise to them when they sign up - if you serve your country, your country will take care of you and your family when your service is up.

 

But Senator Obama also knows that sometimes it is necessary to use our military to protect us. He knows that’s the most important decision a president makes and he takes it seriously. And I have full faith in his ability to make the right decision when that time comes.

 

It is for these reasons that I am absolutely confident that Senator Obama's judgment will make him a great Commander in Chief.

 

As a longtime military officer, I don't take this decision lightly. Who we have commanding our military is of utmost importance.

 

And my assessment is that Barack Obama is the best person to take on that responsibility. "

 

Gen. Merrill "Tony" McPeak, USAF (Ret)

"My interest is in a stronger America. We're at a low point in our standing with the rest of the world, and that simply has to be fixed. Senator Obama believes it can be fixed -- by creating a stronger military, insisting on smarter diplomacy, and adhering to high ethical standards in the conduct of our affairs. I think he's unique in being the only candidate of either party with a vision for genuine change -- to "turn the page," as he says. Lots of people have remarked that he has the judgment and experience to pull it off, but in my view he also has special gifts as a leader. Here again, he's probably unique -- the only candidate with the leadership qualities to reach across the partisan divide and craft workable solutions to the many problems facing the country. He'll be a great commander-in-chief. He'll give us a stronger America."

 

Capt. W. Scott Gould, USNR (Ret.)

"Honor, commitment and courage are the core values of the United States Navy. During my 26 year career on active duty and reserves, including mobilization for the war in Afghanistan, I have seen men and women from all walks of life make these values their own through dedication, hard work and sacrifice. Barack Obama shares these core values. Combined with intelligence, judgment and a desire to serve, Senator Obama has the qualities of a Commander in Chief we can trust. "

 

Colonel Richard L. Klass, USAF (Ret)

"I support Barack Obama for president because I believe that he is the only candidate who can restore America’s world leadership, lessen the partisan bickering in Washington and intelligently address the grave problems facing this nation. He has shown the vision, courage and integrity needed to excel as commander-in-chief and understands the sacred bond between this country and its veterans. Senator Obama is the only candidate to both oppose the Iraq war and oppose giving the president any cover for attacking Iran. His recognition that the real threat to America comes from terrorist networks and his willingness to aggressively pursue these networks demonstrates his perception and toughness. He is the right man for the times and the challenges America faces."

 

Commander Don Stanton, USN (Ret)

"Barack Obama stands out to me as a progressive and thoughtful candidate who is able to think outside the box and is not afraid to challenge the status quo. I appreciated his early opposition to the invasion of Iraq when most politicians were following the crowd. Throughout his career, he has vigorously stood up for veterans’ rights including education, remote rural access to the VA, and more mental health and PTSD resources.

 

Obama spent several years overseas and this international experience, combined with his intelligence and tolerance, will make him a strong President and an outstanding Commander in Chief. His pragmatic foreign policy and national security vision will enable him to provide the leadership needed to transition our forces to more realistic and cooperative force projection."

 

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/veteranstestimonials

[Amy in NH]

Where Barack Stands on Veterans Issues

As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama is committed to helping the heroes who defend our nation today and the veterans who fought in years past. A grandson of a World War II veteran who went to college on the G.I. Bill, Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans and Democrats in order to honor our commitment to America's veterans.

 

"We extend our deep gratitude to Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) for catapulting homeless veteran issues onto the Senate agenda by introducing this comprehensive measure."

 

-National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, Congressional Testimony, March 16, 2006

 

Sheltering and Rehabilitating Homeless Veterans.

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that one in three homeless adult males is a veteran. A total of 400,000 vets experience homelessness over the course of the year. Senator Obama authored legislation to extend and expand critically important programs to stop homelessness among American veterans. Working with Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Larry Craig (R-ID), he passed legislation to provide comprehensive services and affordable housing options to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development and community organizations.

 

Fighting for Illinois Veterans' Fair Share of Disability Benefits.

 

Following reports that veterans in Illinois were receiving less in disability benefits than those nearly anywhere else in the country, Senator Obama led efforts to correct the problems that created these disparities. As a result of his efforts, the VA opened an investigation into the matter, agreed to hire more disability claims specialists for the Chicago regional office, and agreed to re-examine the claims of Illinois veterans who felt they had been treated unfairly. Senator Obama worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to force the VA to notify veterans in Illinois and other states traditionally underserved about their right to seek a review of their past claims. The resulting outreach led to significant numbers of Illinois veterans getting the benefits they deserve.

 

"After prodding from the Chicago Sun-Times, veterans and Illinois' two U.S. senators, the Veterans Affairs Department is sending out letters to Illinois vets to address the state's 20-year history of ranking at the bottom of the nation for disability benefits. . . . The massive VA outreach -- a total of 326,000 letters -- affects Illinois and five other states with low benefits: Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio."

 

-Chicago Sun-Times, May 9, 2006

 

"Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Dick Durbin have been in the forefront, once this problem was exposed by the Sun-Times. . . . What better advocates could vets hope for than Durbin and Obama? Dick Durbin is the Democratic whip, an energetic senator who has done much for the state. Barack Obama is a rising star whose future is limitless. . . . It's about fairness to 1 million Illinois vets, fairness which they have earned and is long overdue."

 

-Chicago Sun-Times, Editorial, May 30, 2005

 

Feeding Recovering Wounded Veterans.

 

Senator Obama introduced an amendment that became law providing food services to wounded service members receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services at military hospitals. Previously, service members recovering in a military hospital for more than 90 days were required to pay for their own meals.

 

"Thanks to some hungry G.I.'s and a U.S. senator, some wounded soldiers will no longer have to dig into their own pockets to pay for their meals at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C."

 

-Mark Benjamin, Salon.com, May 13, 2005

 

"Particularly for those young men and women who have been severely wounded or disabled in the war on terrorism, it is only fitting, proper and fair that they should not have to pay for inpatient or outpatient meals at military facilities."

 

-Mike Duggan, Deputy Director for National Security, The American Legion

 

Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

 

In 2005, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it would contact veterans with severe PTSD and ask them to prove that they deserved their disability payments. This review of disability claims was highly disruptive to veterans still suffering serious health effects from their military service. Senator Obama fought this review. He and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) passed legislation to limit it and helped publicly pressure the agency to finally abandon the effort in November of 2005.

 

Senator Obama also worked with Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) to pass an amendment ensuring that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI is being called the signature injury of the Iraq war. The blast from improvised explosive devices can jar the brain, causing bruising or permanent damage. Concussions can have huge health effects including slowed thinking, headaches, memory loss, sleep disturbance, attention and concentration deficits, and irritability.

 

"We are very concerned about the injuries caused by improvised explosive devices, especially the Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). TBI is fast becoming a major problem for many veterans. We urge the Senate to adopt an amendment sponsored by Senator Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to add TBI to the list of post-deployment physical and mental health screenings for soldiers returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars."

 

-Bobby Muller, Director of Veterans for America

 

Easing the Transition of New Veterans into Society

 

In September 2006, Senator Obama introduced the Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act, which would help veterans transition from the Pentagon health system to the VA system by extending the window in which new veterans can get mental health care from two years to five years. The Lane Evans bill would improve transition services for members of the National Guard and Reserves. It also would require the VA and the Department of Defense to work together to track new veterans entering the VA for better budget planning and monitoring of emerging health trends.

 

Senator Obama passed an amendment that became law requiring the Defense Department to report to Congress on the delayed development of an electronic medical records system compatible with the VA's electronic medical records system. DOD's delay in developing such a system has created obstacles for service members transitioning into the VA health care system.

 

"(The electronic health records) amendment is a first step in easing the transition of a service member's medical records from DoD to the VA when a service member is discharged."

 

-Veterans for America

 

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/veteransissues

 

Veterans Supporting Obama Speak About the Candidate

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/military_08-27.html

 

Vets for Obama is a group of combat and non-combat, currently and formerly serving service men and women who support Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. http://vetsforobama.org/

[Kelli in TN]

Previously, service members recovering in a military hospital for more than 90 days were required to pay for their own meals.

 

:eek:

 

Gobsmacked.

 

I had no idea that our service members were treated this way. Has it always been this way? What else do I not know about the way we treat our service members?

[Mrs Mungo]

:eek:

 

Gobsmacked.

 

I had no idea that our service members were treated this way. Has it always been this way? What else do I not know about the way we treat our service members?

 

Probably a lot.

 

One of the things that ticks me off the most?

 

Most service members get paid on the first and the fifteenth (you have the option of only getting paid once a month as well but it works the same way). It's advance payment for the following two week period.

 

If a service member gets killed on the 20th of the month his or her survivors receive a bill from the federal government because they have to pay back the pay he/she received for working the 20th-30th.

[Sharon in SC]

please allow me to clarify that my post was solely intended to honor our servicemen. Period. I was not in any way attempting to speak to what percentage or measure of our veterans or military personnel support any particular candidate. :001_smile:

 

It is because of a few responses in that thread coupled with a post of this nature that I carry the concern of being misunderstood and the desire to clarify.

 

Blessings and thanks,

Sharon

[Kelli in TN]

 

If a service member gets killed on the 20th of the month his or her survivors receive a bill from the federal government because they have to pay back the pay he/she received for working the 20th-30th.

 

 

:eek:

 

Who writes these rules? If a middle age housewife can see the wrong in this, why can't our leaders?

[Mrs Mungo]

please allow me to clarify that my post was solely intended to honor our servicemen. Period. I was not in any way attempting to speak to what percentage or measure of our veterans or military personnel support any particular candidate. :001_smile:

 

It is because of a few responses in that thread coupled with a post of this nature that I carry the concern of being misunderstood and the desire to clarify.

 

Blessings and thanks,

Sharon

 

Then why post one with a very specific political message? There are lots of military tributes on youtube that are politically neutral. My inbox is full of them.

 

These will totally make you cry. Just a warning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EFqmkIKeZw

 

For the wives:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZq4gvouRig

 

 

 

 

One for the kids:

 

 

 

Honestly, I don't even know how many of these things are in my email. I save them all too.

[Mrs Mungo]

:eek:

 

Who writes these rules? If a middle age housewife can see the wrong in this, why can't our leaders?

 

Great question. :confused:

[Aggie]

:eek:

 

Who writes these rules? If a middle age housewife can see the wrong in this, why can't our leaders?

 

Because every year fewer and fewer of our leaders have served in the armed forces.

 

Mr Mungo should run for senate! And Mr. Battlemaiden! And Mr. Aggie!

[Plucky]

Because every year fewer and fewer of our leaders have served in the armed forces.

 

Mr Mungo should run for senate! And Mr. Battlemaiden! And Mr. Aggie!

 

You know there are female veterans on this board, too.

[Mrs Mungo]

Because every year fewer and fewer of our leaders have served in the armed forces.

 

Mr Mungo should run for senate! And Mr. Battlemaiden! And Mr. Aggie!

 

My husband doesn't want to live in DC. :lol:

[Mom to Aly]

My husband doesn't want to live in DC. :lol:

 

Hey, Biden has never lived in DC! :D

[Aggie]

You know there are female veterans on this board, too.

 

Elaine.. Thanks for the reminder! They should *really* run for senate! :)

 

Aggie

[Paintedlady]

You know there are female veterans on this board, too.

 

:patriot: I'm one and I support McCain/Palin. Btw, the military has never cared that much about soldiers, IMO. We were property, pure & simple.

[TXMomof4]

:eek:

 

Gobsmacked.

 

I had no idea that our service members were treated this way. Has it always been this way? What else do I not know about the way we treat our service members?

 

When dh is on state orders, he has to pay for his meals. When he's on state orders, we never know when he will get paid. He always does eventually, but we are still waiting for drill pay from July. It's better when he's on federal orders, but the transition from state to federal orders is always a mess. Also, promotions don't go through as they're supposed to if he's on fed. orders when it's time to promote. Apparently the state doesn't feel it necessary to keep up with that sort of thing if he's on fed. orders. There are guys in dh's unit right now that haven't been paid in months. It's insulting really.

[Sharon in SC]

Then why post one with a very specific political message? There are lots of military tributes on youtube that are politically neutral. My inbox is full of them.

 

[/color]

 

Mrs. Mungo, I can honestly answer your question with this - while the video I shared happened to have a "political message", as I indicated in my post, that was NOT my purpose for sharing it. I made every attempt to pre-empt the political message by exposing it for what it was and then indicating that for those who could look past that, I felt they would be moved by the message that was otherwise contained therein - an insight into the sacrifices made by our soldiers. What was a pure and honest attempt to honor our military turned into something that was found offensive by some (despite my very concerted attempts in my OP to thwart that). For that, I am very sorry.

 

Yesterday morning I did not wake up with the purpose of searching for military support on YouTube. If I had, I'm sure I would have run across things like what you share here and, because my motive was what it was, would have felt just as compelled to share them. (Unlike you, I don't happen to have an inbox "full of them"). As the case may be, my dh happened to have shared with me the video that I did share and I wanted to share it with my cyberfriends for the sole purpose of honoring those for whom I am very thankful. It really is as simple as that.

 

Sharon

[Jumping In Puddles]

As the case may be, my dh happened to have shared with me the video that I did share and I wanted to share it with my cyberfriends for the sole purpose of honoring those for whom I am very thankful. It really is as simple as that.

 

Sharon

 

Sharon,

 

I apologize for even posting in your thread. I should have passed because I don't agree with what was said politically in the video. I am grateful that a NEW thread was started just in case anyone who watched the video in your thread came away with the message that Barack Obama "disrespects the service and sacrifice" of those fighting this war because he thinks the war itself was a mistake. There needs to be a place where this can be discussed and your thread was not the place to do it. This thread is.

 

This is difficult because the video moved you and you wanted to share that with us to honor the soldiers but that video did not bring out the same emotions in everyone because of the political message. The soldier used that video as a political message and you were asking us to ignore the overall political message and just see the message of honoring our soldiers, can you see why that is difficult to do for some?

 

 

After watching the video, even if it was just meant as a tribute, some might get the idea that ALL veterans and soldiers are against Obama and this thread is just some information for those that might be interested.

 

The message in the video from the soldier was directed to Barack Obama and that the war is helping Iraq and it was not a mistake and if you say it was a mistake then you "disrespect the service and the sacrifice of everyone who has died fighting for freedom" and because Barack Obama "sir, you do not appreciate these principles, I am supporting Senator John McCain for President"

[Sharon in SC]

This is difficult because the video moved you and you wanted to share that with us to honor the soldiers but that video did not bring out the same emotions in everyone because of the political message.

 

What in life does promote the exact same emotion in 100% of the population? With my very careful disclaimer (alerting any who might find it offensive) I'd hoped that it would be there for those who would find if moving, as I did, and left alone by those who could not see past the "political message". I certainly did all that I could to say, "This does have overt campaign issues, be aware."

 

 

I am grateful that the OP of this thread started her own thread instead of posting in yours.

 

After watching the video, even if it was just meant as a tribute, some might get the idea that ALL veterans and soldiers are against Obama and this thread is just some information for those that might be interested.

 

:iagree: on both counts. I felt the need to post what I did in this thread, though, just to make one final attempt to clarify *why* my OP was placed since it was, obviously, the spark for this thread.

[Jumping In Puddles]

What in life does promote the exact same emotion in 100% of the population? With my very careful disclaimer (alerting any who might find it offensive) I'd hoped that it would be there for those who would find if moving, as I did, and left alone by those who could not see past the "political message". I certainly did all that I could to say, "This does have overt campaign issues, be aware."

 

 

This is why I should have stayed away from your thread... actually the post you quoted me from I edited quite a bit while you were responding.

 

For me, the soldier made the video as a political message so I saw all the political elements that you warned about. BUT you are right, I should have respected your wishes, and for that, I apologize.

 

That is the bottom line. I just wanted to say that and I hope your thread can be left alone and anyone wanting to continue the conversation can do so here.

[Sharon in SC]

This is why I should have stayed away from your thread... BUT you are right, I should have respected your wishes, and for that, I apologize.

 

That is the bottom line. I just wanted to say that and I hope your thread can be left alone and anyone wanting to continue the conversation can do so here.

 

 

Thank you for this! :)

[homeschool2boys]

:patriot: I'm one and I support McCain/Palin. Btw, the military has never cared that much about soldiers, IMO. We were property, pure & simple.

 

I am one too and I support McCain Palin and so does my husband. He is a vet too and did a tour over in Iraq a few years back. I am one of the old time vets of the from the first gulf war era.

[SheilaZ]

:eek:

 

Gobsmacked.

 

I had no idea that our service members were treated this way. Has it always been this way? What else do I not know about the way we treat our service members?

 

 

Because soldiers are paid for their meals. They get an allowance called BAS. If the soldier is getting free meals from the government (either in the hsopital or in a mess hall) AND getting BAS, he's double dipping. He either has to pay for meals and or give up BAS. It's not mistreatment. Sometimes it is paperwork SNAFUs but it is not intended to be mistreatment.

 

BAS is meant to offset costs for a member's meals. This allowance is based in the historic origins of the military in which the military provided room and board (or rations) as part of a member's pay. This allowance is not intended to offset the costs of meals for family members.

 

"Beginning on January 1 2002, all enlisted members get full BAS, but pay for their meals (including those provided by the government). This is the culmination of the BAS Reform transition period.

 

Because BAS is intended to provide meals for the service member, its level is linked to the price of food. Therefore, each year it is adjusted based upon the increase of the price of food as measured by the USDA food cost index. This is why the increase to BAS will not necessarily be the same percentage as that applied to the increase in the pay table, as annual pay raises are linked to the increase of private sector wages.

 

The following Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rates are the new rates effective Jan. 1, 08.

 

Officers

 

$202.76/month

 

Enlisted Members

 

$294.43/month

[Kelli in TN]

Because soldiers are paid for their meals. They get an allowance called BAS. If the soldier is getting free meals from the government (either in the hsopital or in a mess hall) AND getting BAS, he's double dipping. He either has to pay for meals and or give up BAS. It's not mistreatment. Sometimes it is paperwork SNAFUs but it is not intended to be mistreatment.

[/i]

 

 

I hope by now that it is abundantly clear that I am clueless about how the military is paid or taken care of.

 

So, if they are paid for their meals already then why was legislation needed to rectify this? Do they still get the BAS and the hospital provides their meals? Or is the new legislation in place of BAS?

 

I'm asking honestly, btw. This has piqued my curiousity.

 

And wouldn't it be easier to just pay the soldiers a decent salary, provide food for those who are hospitalized, in rehab or on a tour of duty, and do away with BAS?

[Frankie]

including my stepfather who enlisted and served on the front lines in Vietnam when he was only 20 years old.

 

 

As did my father, who passed away this past May. He was a WWII vet, a proud Marine.

 

He talked politics right up to the end, and he very much supported Obama.

[SheilaZ]

I hope by now that it is abundantly clear that I am clueless about how the military is paid or taken care of.

 

So, if they are paid for their meals already then why was legislation needed to rectify this? Do they still get the BAS and the hospital provides their meals? Or is the new legislation in place of BAS?

 

I'm asking honestly, btw. This has piqued my curiousity.

 

And wouldn't it be easier to just pay the soldiers a decent salary, provide food for those who are hospitalized, in rehab or on a tour of duty, and do away with BAS?

 

I'm not familiar with the legislature, but I'm assuming they made it so you didn't lose BAS if you were in the hospital for more than 90 days. I know you can "double dip" for short periods, i.e. when DH was temporarily deployed for 3 weeks and ate in the mess hall, he didn't lose BAS.

I guess they just exempted hosptial stays because it looked unfavorable for injured soldiers to lose BAS.

 

And no one understands military pay. Really.

You have clothing allowances, hazzard pay, jump pay, hardship pay, BAS. And then there are things that are adjustable depending on what part of the country yo live in to take in accound of cost of living.

(BAQ and COLA)

If you really want some info here's a site on military pay You should be able to acces most of it without registering. Be warned. Military pay comes from the same geniuses that brought us the IRS.:D

 

However, I will say E1-E4 pay is waaaaaaay too low. Military healthcare is scary. Housing is frustrating. And the ID card office is a level of purgatory.

But the military is made out of people from all religions, races, economic and education leves, and politics....and they all have one thing in common......a love of country.

 

If the rest of us could work together like they do, we'd all be better off. Of course, most of us wouldn't make it though basic training and we'd like to wear something other than camo.

[Mrs Mungo]

Mrs. Mungo, I can honestly answer your question with this - while the video I shared happened to have a "political message", as I indicated in my post, that was NOT my purpose for sharing it. I made every attempt to pre-empt the political message by exposing it for what it was and then indicating that for those who could look past that, I felt they would be moved by the message that was otherwise contained therein - an insight into the sacrifices made by our soldiers. What was a pure and honest attempt to honor our military turned into something that was found offensive by some (despite my very concerted attempts in my OP to thwart that). For that, I am very sorry.

 

I'm sorry that I'm just getting back to this thread, I was pretty offline for a few days while hubby was off (he was supposed to have 10 days off when he got home but that didn't happen so they spread them out).

 

I really don't think you can post something that gives a strong, negative opinion about one candidate and then be surprised when you get a bad response.

 

I hope by now that it is abundantly clear that I am clueless about how the military is paid or taken care of.

 

So, if they are paid for their meals already then why was legislation needed to rectify this? Do they still get the BAS and the hospital provides their meals? Or is the new legislation in place of BAS?

 

I'm asking honestly, btw. This has piqued my curiousity.

 

And wouldn't it be easier to just pay the soldiers a decent salary, provide food for those who are hospitalized, in rehab or on a tour of duty, and do away with BAS?

 

Because there are too many other factors. Soldiers are away from home a lot of the time for all sorts of reasons. One time we received a survey asking how many months out of the previous 36 hubby had spent time away from home: on temporary duty, in a school, in the field, deployed, etc. We added it up and it was 25. It's really confusing for an outsider but it more or less makes sense to most of the people who understand the system.

 

I'm not familiar with the legislature, but I'm assuming they made it so you didn't lose BAS if you were in the hospital for more than 90 days. I know you can "double dip" for short periods, i.e. when DH was temporarily deployed for 3 weeks and ate in the mess hall, he didn't lose BAS.

 

Actually, I think this has changed within the last few years. I don't think they lose BAS even when deployed long-term...that might depend on whether they are in a combat zone.

 

One of the main problems with military pay is how it takes a while for this or that to catch up with you. Like, if you were receiving BAS and then were deployed it sometimes took the military a few months to realize you were not at your home station and they'd suddenly take 3 months worth of BAS out of your pay.

 

I guess they just exempted hosptial stays because it looked unfavorable for injured soldiers to lose BAS.

 

Which is also the same reason they changed it for deployed soldiers.

 

 

However, I will say E1-E4 pay is waaaaaaay too low. Military healthcare is scary. Housing is frustrating. And the ID card office is a level of purgatory.

 

I agree re: E1-E4 pay. Healthcare varies...you just have to be ready to throw a holy fit if they're pushing you around or you aren't getting what you need. I don't think it's worse and in some ways it's better than HMOs. I agree on the rest, lol.

 

Oh and did anyone else catch

during the DNC?

[eight_gregorys]

I'm a female veteran and just thought I'd throw in my two cents. I was recently medically retired from the military. I served in Iraq in '05 - '06 and was medivacced after I became extremely ill. As far as BAS goes, I received BAS while I was in theater and I continued to receive while I was in medical hold pending my medical board and was able to eat at the hospitals or dining facilities for free. (This is their policy for all wounded warriors. All weren't wounded, some were sick like me.)

 

Part of the reason they don't take BAS from soldiers is because a lot of the time soldiers are kept at different medical facilities away from their families. I was sent to Walter Reed for awhile and then Fort Bragg while my family still lived in California. The Army would not send me back to California for my medical board then and wouldn't pay to have my family brought to me. (They do have a progam now that allows this to happen.) I finally just spent my own money and moved my family to NC with me.

 

The only complaint I would have with the whole process is that it was so difficult to be with my family. I was gone from home for a year and spent another 6 months in the hospital before I finally said to heck with it and my told my husband to sell everything we owned if he had to so that our family could be together. The medical board took forever, but I'm happy to say, after a huge fight, I'm medically retired. (Those of you in the military know how hard it is for this to happen.)

 

To be honest, the Army took pretty good care of me after I was finally sent back to the states. (While I was in Iraq is another story.) I know there are others who weren't as fortunate, but I can tell you from personal experience that the government is doing a lot to better take care of soldiers. But then again, that's just my opinion.

 

FWIW, I actually support McCain, and my veteran husband does as well.

 

HTH,

 

Andrea

[Sharon in SC]

I really don't think you can post something that gives a strong, negative opinion about one candidate and then be surprised when you get a bad response.

 

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. :001_smile: In this particular case, I made it abundantly clear what the nature of the video was and, more specifically, *why* I was choosing to share it (reason totally unrelated to the political bias). From there, I invited those who felt they could look past the political slant to witness a moment with an American soldier that caused me to appreciate a sacrifice far too many have had to offer up on our (the American people's) behalf. That really was my sole intent - believe it or not. Simply put, I had the faith, erroneously, to believe that those who might find offense, given adequate opportunity to do so, could just move on and leave my post to those who, like me, appreciated the opportunity to honor our most honorable service men and women.

 

(I hesitated to post a response in the name of not resurrecting an issue but decided to try, one final time, to express my heart on something that I did find unfortunate. It is with this post that I now rest. :)).

 

Peace and, truly, no hard feelings,

Sharon

[lovemyboys]

Hey, Biden has never lived in DC! :D

 

Fortunately for him, he's one of the few who are commuter-rail distance close enough to go to his home state each night. Most of our reps. aren't that lucky. ;)

[Mrs Mungo]

That really was my sole intent - believe it or not. Simply put, I had the faith, erroneously, to believe that those who might find offense, given adequate opportunity to do so, could just move on and leave my post to those who, like me, appreciated the opportunity to honor our most honorable service men and women.

 

I don't doubt your intent, please don't misunderstand. What I'm saying is that saying things like the sentence I bolded above are *offensive* to those of us who *disagree* with the message of the video and yet take *every* opportunity to honor those who serve. I can *understand* that it was not your intent to offend, I'm not accusing you of setting out with a mean streak. But you keep implying that those that don't agree with the political message would not wish to honor our service members even though some of us do so *every day*. Does that help explain better where I'm coming from?

[Spy Car]

If a service member gets killed on the 20th of the month his or her survivors receive a bill from the federal government because they have to pay back the pay he/she received for working the 20th-30th.

 

I'm shocked!

 

Shocked and saddened. How can anything so cruel be visited on the families of our fallen?

 

Bill (who is welling back tears)

[Mrs Mungo]

I'm shocked!

 

Shocked and saddened. How can anything so cruel be visited on the families of our fallen?

 

Bill (who is welling back tears)

 

You'd really be surprised at some of the stories I've been told by widows at the crappy treatment they've received from the VA. It really makes me sad.

 

The good thing is that most of the active duty wives are aware of this because units try to hold predeployment briefings where this stuff is explained. And this happens after they receive their insurance payments and all of that. But, yeah...I think it's pretty terrible.

[Spy Car]

You'd really be surprised at some of the stories I've been told by widows at the crappy treatment they've received from the VA. It really makes me sad.

 

The good thing is that most of the active duty wives are aware of this because units try to hold predeployment briefings where this stuff is explained. And this happens after they receive their insurance payments and all of that. But, yeah...I think it's pretty terrible.

 

It is kind of morbid to ask, but is there government provided life insurance for the families of our soldiers that is adequate to keeping their families out of dire poverty? Do soldiers generally "supplement" these policies (or can they?).

 

Still boggles my mind (and tears at my heart) that the surviving family would get a demand from the government for a return of advanced pay.

 

I don't think any amount of pre-deployment counseling could prepare me for this sort of insult.

 

Bless you, your husband, and all the military families for all your sacrifices!

 

Bill

[Mrs Mungo]

It is kind of morbid to ask, but is there government provided life insurance for the families of our soldiers that is adequate to keeping their families out of dire poverty? Do soldiers generally "supplement" these policies (or can they?).

 

No, I think it's a reasonable thing for people to want to know.

 

The family is initially given a $100,000 death gratuity (isn't that an awful phrase? who comes up with this stuff?) benefit.

 

All service members are automatically signed up for the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) unless they decline it. You're automatically signed up for the maximum of $400,000 except you can request to have it reduced in $50,000 increments. It also includes a Traumatic Injury clause.

 

The family is given $2,000 to help with the burial, but it's free if they are buried in a federal cemetery (like Arlington but there are others).

 

A spouse or other dependent (say a child from a former marriage where the service member pays child support) receives a pension if they are low income.

 

Then you have Dependency and Indemnity Compensation which is paid to surviving spouses and children (unless and until the spouse remarries) of $1091/month plus $271/month for each child.

 

Surviving spouses receive free health care for one year and then they can pay a fee to remain enrolled in the same health care. Children remain enrolled in the military health care until the age of 21 or 23 if they are a full-time student.

 

They also receive their housing allowance for one year.

 

Many members of the military carry extra insurance, my husband and I do.

[Spy Car]

Thank you for explaining that Mrs Mungo.

 

I'm out of "ammo" tonight, but I'm reloading.

 

Bill

[Sharon in SC]

I don't doubt your intent, please don't misunderstand. What I'm saying is that saying things like the sentence I bolded above are *offensive* to those of us who *disagree* with the message of the video and yet take *every* opportunity to honor those who serve. I can *understand* that it was not your intent to offend, I'm not accusing you of setting out with a mean streak. But you keep implying that those that don't agree with the political message would not wish to honor our service members even though some of us do so *every day*. Does that help explain better where I'm coming from?

 

Mrs. Mungo, I can definitely see that the sentence you highlighted could have been taken offensively! Unfortunately, I posted after two very long and intense days and was not thinking through what I had written carefully enough. I appreciate this opportunity to clarify because I would NEVER want to imply that only those who found that video endearing are capable of honoring our soldiers!!!! Truly.

 

What I was thinking when I wrote that sentence (but failed to make myself clear due to fatigue) is: "...and leave my post to those who might, like me, appreciate that as an opportunity to honor our most honorable service men and women." I apologize for the implied message that I only viewed those who found that soldier's plight endearing as folks able to honor our military because that is most definitely not what I've been trying to say! At all!

 

You wrote: "But you keep implying that those that don't agree with the political message would not wish to honor our service members even though some of us do so *every day*." I have not, in anything I've said, meant to imply this at all, either. What I have intended to not just imply but state is this: For those who *can* look past the overt political message of this video, there may be some of you who will appreciate, like me, the opportunity to better appreciate the sacrifices our soldiers are making for us."

 

Thank you for your post. It did help to better explain your position. I hope that the clarifications I've made here will serve to clear any remaining fog in the air with regards to where I've been coming from all this time as well. :001_smile:

 

Again, thank you for providing the opportunity to make myself better understood.

Sharon

[Mrs Mungo]

Sharon, I'm glad to see that you don't actually believe only those who agree with the political message of the video appreciate the sacrifice of those who serve in the armed forces. That's really how it was coming across to me. I apologize for misreading you.