I received this email, and was ask to
forward it. I absolutely WILL forward it, but I also
deemed it necessary to post it on this blog in hopes of reaching an even wider audience.
The words this young man
wrote reminds me of those eight years I spent in the military many years ago.
I hope all who read this see
fit to forward it.
Here is that email, unedited,
just as I received it.
Military Pay
If you get this more than once, feel honored
that you know more than one person who supports our military and appreciates
what they do.
If you don't forward it, you don't deserve
their sacrifice.
CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama as an
Assistant Director for NATIONAL SECURITY in the Congressional Budget
Office.....
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.
Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the
Washington Times denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this
year citing that she stated a 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 GI's 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 per month. 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 yearsˆ™ experience in 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's (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 be nearly 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 open 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 right 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 noses 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? What do you think someone should be
paid to defend your life, and the life of your family?
A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC
IF YOU AGREE,
PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO
AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING
MEN AND WOMAN
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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