One of the reasons they get flight pay

[RandyHamilton]

Video of F15_midair - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting



The clip appears to be from an ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) training flight.

 

[JDiepstra]

I'm sorry but I see no reason why anyone in any job should get extra pay for doing their job. Should a guy who mows lawns get paid extra for mowing a lawn? Should a teacher get paid extra for teaching? Should a cashier get paid extra for ringing people up? Why should a person who flies planes get extra money for flying a plane? I know, it may be more dangerous in theory, but, if you don't like it, quit! Also, they should be fined $$$$$$ for wrecking planes like that, just like a surgeon has to pay when they screw up, and a guy who snowplows has to pay when they knock over your mailbox or whatever.



P. S. I SUPPORT THE TROOPS!

 

[RandyHamilton]

You may as well ask "Why should NASCAR drivers make more than bus drivers"



Answer: Cause not everybody is ABLE to perform at that high level.



The US Navy also gives out "Sea Pay" which is pay for being stationed on Ships. Are you against that as well?

 

[JDiepstra]

NASCAR driver and bus driver is not the same thing. Just like commercial pilot and military pilot are not the same thing. Although the pay differences may be backwards there. And yes, I am against "Sea Pay". What do people think they are going to do when they go into the Navy? They should be on a ship! Like I said, I support the troops though. So don't try to rail me on that one.

 

[CumminsBu]

Talk about leaving brown stains in your shorts!

I like my "Puddle Pirate Sea Pay" it pays for my performance parts.

Thank you all for your tax dollars.

 

[RandyHamilton]

Do you have a guilty conscience? That's twice now you have attempted to cut off an attack that isn't there.



I expect you are speaking from ignorance.



Take a look at pay scales for the military, both officer and enlisted. THey pretty much suck. . So the military gives incentive pay which is seperate from their normal pay. Like sea pay, and BAQ/VHA which is Basic allowance for quarters and Variable housing allowance, the latter two which helps offset the costs for the servicemember of off base housing. All of these things are Quality of Life issues which help the military maintain their ranks, which allows the military to perform the tasks given them by the civillian leadership.



Why not just pay em all a decent wage instead? One that will keep our forces all volunteer? I'm thrilled that you asked that question.



Because when said military members retire their "retirement pay" is doled out at the rate of 2. 5% of their base pay at the time of seperation. So 20 years in the military will get you 50% of your base pay. . The key here is that all those other incentives listed above (flight pay, sea pay, etc) are NOT part of your base pay. I have no idea what the number is but this little accounting feature saves the government (and you the taxpayer) BILLIONS of dollars every year.



Still don't think a guy or gal flying F-15's in unfriendly skies deserves flight pay? Or that a Seaman Duece deserves a few bucks extra for spending 4 years on a ship, over a year of that spent floating overseas, where a 12 hour day feels like a holiday cause the days are NEVER that short when deployed overseas... Well then I can't help ya,,



Perhaps you should join one of the branches of service to see what they go through.



Forgot another example of extra pay... Those folks serving in the heat and sand of Iraq and Afganistan also pay no federal income tax. . Is that unfair as well?

 

[JDiepstra]

Talk about leaving brown stains in your shorts!



I like my "Puddle Pirate Sea Pay" it pays for my performance parts.



Thank you all for your tax dollars.

That's funny.

 

[JDiepstra]

Do you have a guilty conscience? That's twice now you have attempted to cut off an attack that isn't there.



I expect you are speaking from ignorance.



Take a look at pay scales for the military, both officer and enlisted. THey pretty much suck. . So the military gives incentive pay which is seperate from their normal pay. Like sea pay, and BAQ/VHA which is Basic allowance for quarters and Variable housing allowance, the latter two which helps offset the costs for the servicemember of off base housing. All of these things are Quality of Life issues which help the military maintain their ranks, which allows the military to perform the tasks given them by the civillian leadership.



Why not just pay em all a decent wage instead? One that will keep our forces all volunteer? I'm thrilled that you asked that question.



Because when said military members retire their "retirement pay" is doled out at the rate of 2. 5% of their base pay at the time of seperation. So 20 years in the military will get you 50% of your base pay. . The key here is that all those other incentives listed above (flight pay, sea pay, etc) are NOT part of your base pay. I have no idea what the number is but this little accounting feature saves the government (and you the taxpayer) BILLIONS of dollars every year.



Still don't think a guy or gal flying F-15's in unfriendly skies deserves flight pay? Or that a Seaman Duece deserves a few bucks extra for spending 4 years on a ship, over a year of that spent floating overseas, where a 12 hour day feels like a holiday cause the days are NEVER that short when deployed overseas... Well then I can't help ya,,



Perhaps you should join one of the branches of service to see what they go through.



Forgot another example of extra pay... Those folks serving in the heat and sand of Iraq and Afganistan also pay no federal income tax. . Is that unfair as well?

Is that a serious question? Of course not paying income tax is unfair. So we pay them with our taxes, and then have to support them by paying extra taxes since they are not paying? And don't try to give me sob stories about how low their pay is, with the $25,000 + enlistment and resingning bonuses and all that jazz.

 

[RandyHamilton]

Yea,, all that jazz has made so many millionaires of the Military that they have to beat em back with a stick at the Recruiting offices across the country.



I guess I will have to let you continue to wallow in your ignorance.

 

[RandyHamilton]

Talk about leaving brown stains in your shorts!



I like my "Puddle Pirate Sea Pay" it pays for my performance parts.



Thank you all for your tax dollars.

For me it would have been a steady brown stream,versus the brown stain!



They would have no problems finding me!!



But then again,, I never drew flight pay,, only sea pay and BAQ and VHA and ProPay,,, damn,, I suddenly realize that I was so grossly overpaid during my 20 years I feel like I oughta send a check to Uncle Sam.

 

[jandtjil]

I'm sorry but I see no reason why anyone in any job should get extra pay for doing their job. Should a guy who mows lawns get paid extra for mowing a lawn? Should a teacher get paid extra for teaching? Should a cashier get paid extra for ringing people up? Why should a person who flies planes get extra money for flying a plane? I know, it may be more dangerous in theory, but, if you don't like it, quit! Also, they should be fined $$$$$$ for wrecking planes like that, just like a surgeon has to pay when they screw up, and a guy who snowplows has to pay when they knock over your mailbox or whatever.



P. S. I SUPPORT THE TROOPS!

OH MAN I aint walkin past that.

Bring back the draft! so citizens appreciate/understand the military.



Basics of military pay

All ranks of a certain grade (Enlisted and Officers) make the same BASIC pay, whether they are at sea or kickin it in San Diego.

Special pays compensate members (and their families) for hardships of the military, it is the system that has allowed us to field the finest all volunteer military in the world. Don't think for a minute that the services are full of those who couldn't make it into college, you would be VERY wrong. The federal tax breaks are the method best utilized to keep the best and brightest at work protecting this country (even if they risk their life and crash a plane in training). Yes, sometimes it takes Reenlistment bonuses, Sea pay, Hazardous Duty pay, Family Separation pay, and other benefits to keep the military from being a hollow force of untrained and unmotivated workers (just punchin the clock), who have to work an extra job to make ends meet.

The heroes of this nation who met the call as draftees are heroes, nothin less, they met the pay standard that you would see re instituted, and came home to scorn. Maybe they should have followed your advice and just quit.

Oh wait. . they couldn't, they were DRAFTED into service!



JJ

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Yea 25k re-enlistment bonus for someone that has a job no one wants... ..... why do you think they have SRB's! You know those guys that are deployed for 300 days a year.



I got luck my last year in the squadron I was only gone 220 days. Can't plan crap, have a life or a relationship except with God.



If you haven't noticed we are at War and everyone is getting tagged, even us(now) shore duty folks.



BOTW, when I left San Diego in 95' an E-5, married with 2 kids qualified for food stamps..... period, yea there getting rich.



R/ Chief Jim Fulmer

 

[BILLVO]

I'm not real familiar with regular military but the national gaurd is huge here in ND. I have many friends in it and they have been to Iraq 3 times now and some have volunteered to go back with other units because there active duty pay is really good as compared to what they make at their regular jobs. Most joined to get college payed for or just for the sign up bonus and retirement if they put in the 20.



Many make 30-35k a year at home at their regular jobs, and those I know are making 80k plus active duty.



I know a few who did not reenlist but joined contract security firms and went back for 200k a year. Of course these guys are still single.



It depends on the type of life style you want or are used to and what part of the country your in but here in ND at 80k a year you are nearly living like the rich and famous.

 

[RandyHamilton]

I'm not real familiar with regular military but the national gaurd is huge here in ND. I have many friends in it and they have been to Iraq 3 times now and some have volunteered to go back with other units because there active duty pay is really good as compared to what they make at their regular jobs. Most joined to get college payed for or just for the sign up bonus and retirement if they put in the 20.



Many make 30-35k a year at home at their regular jobs, and those I know are making 80k plus active duty.



I know a few who did not reenlist but joined contract security firms and went back for 200k a year. Of course these guys are still single.



It depends on the type of life style you want or are used to and what part of the country your in but here in ND at 80k a year you are nearly living like the rich and famous.

I don't know what they are doing to make 80k a year but take a look at the pay scales here Military Pay Tables. . There are a total of ZERO Enlisted ranks that pay that kinda dough. An E-9 with 32 years of service makes just under 6k a month. There are VERY few E-9's in the Military service. Someone who joins out of high school will start out making a whopping $1347. 00 a Month.

 

[BILLVO]

I couldn't make out the fine print. But I am just regurgitating what I have been told by gaurd members who just came back in recent months. That pay was for active duty in iraq for national gaurd. Not sure if that makes a diff or not. Wouldn't be the first time the truth was stretched but these guys aren't that sort.

 

[JDiepstra]

I don't know what they are doing to make 80k a year but take a look at the pay scales here Military Pay Tables. . There are a total of ZERO Enlisted ranks that pay that kinda dough. An E-9 with 32 years of service makes just under 6k a month. There are VERY few E-9's in the Military service. Someone who joins out of high school will start out making a whopping $1347. 00 a Month.

Um, Randy, you were just going on and on about all the extra pay they get above their pay scale for doing extra stuff, like flying, or being on a boat, or whatever. Did you forget about that already? I guess you only remember it when it is convenient for your arguement.

 

[CumminsBu]

OH MAN I aint walkin past that.

Bring back the draft! so citizens appreciate/understand the military.



Basics of military pay

All ranks of a certain grade (Enlisted and Officers) make the same BASIC pay, whether they are at sea or kickin it in San Diego.

Special pays compensate members (and their families) for hardships of the military, it is the system that has allowed us to field the finest all volunteer military in the world. Don't think for a minute that the services are full of those who couldn't make it into college, you would be VERY wrong. The federal tax breaks are the method best utilized to keep the best and brightest at work protecting this country (even if they risk their life and crash a plane in training). Yes, sometimes it takes Reenlistment bonuses, Sea pay, Hazardous Duty pay, Family Separation pay, and other benefits to keep the military from being a hollow force of untrained and unmotivated workers (just punchin the clock), who have to work an extra job to make ends meet.

The heroes of this nation who met the call as draftees are heroes, nothin less, they met the pay standard that you would see re instituted, and came home to scorn. Maybe they should have followed your advice and just quit.

Oh wait. . they couldn't, they were DRAFTED into service!



JJ

Well said.

I'm proud to say I'm a Coast Guard Sailor, and enjoy all the extra pays that go along with being on a ship. Right now I'm on land as Hydraulic instructor training men and women going to Coast Guard cutters. I'm glad I'm doing my part to help this country. When it is time for me to transfer I hope to get a Coast Guard Polar Ice Breaker.



I also support all the other men and women in the our four services that have more hazardous duty then I do. Hope they have a safe tour and our home soon.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Do you have a guilty conscience? That's twice now you have attempted to cut off an attack that isn't there.



I expect you are speaking from ignorance.



Take a look at pay scales for the military, both officer and enlisted. THey pretty much suck. . So the military gives incentive pay which is seperate from their normal pay. Like sea pay, and BAQ/VHA which is Basic allowance for quarters and Variable housing allowance, the latter two which helps offset the costs for the servicemember of off base housing. All of these things are Quality of Life issues which help the military maintain their ranks, which allows the military to perform the tasks given them by the civillian leadership.



Why not just pay em all a decent wage instead? One that will keep our forces all volunteer? I'm thrilled that you asked that question.



Because when said military members retire their "retirement pay" is doled out at the rate of 2. 5% of their base pay at the time of seperation. So 20 years in the military will get you 50% of your base pay. . The key here is that all those other incentives listed above (flight pay, sea pay, etc) are NOT part of your base pay. I have no idea what the number is but this little accounting feature saves the government (and you the taxpayer) BILLIONS of dollars every year.



Still don't think a guy or gal flying F-15's in unfriendly skies deserves flight pay? Or that a Seaman Duece deserves a few bucks extra for spending 4 years on a ship, over a year of that spent floating overseas, where a 12 hour day feels like a holiday cause the days are NEVER that short when deployed overseas... Well then I can't help ya,,



Perhaps you should join one of the branches of service to see what they go through.



Forgot another example of extra pay... Those folks serving in the heat and sand of Iraq and Afganistan also pay no federal income tax. . Is that unfair as well?

I don't think ANY of us should pay federal income tax! That is why I am a huge advocate for the FairTax! www.fairtax.org

 

[donnier]

IMHO, I am thankful for the men and women who are called to serve their country. To them I say THANK YOU.

What I would like to see, is the government quit cutting funding to the VA so the service members returning from places like Iraq, would be treated for the many disorders that affect them while serving there.

Like I said in the begining, That just my opinion.

 

[BigEasy]

Um, Randy, you were just going on and on about all the extra pay they get above their pay scale for doing extra stuff, like flying, or being on a boat, or whatever. Did you forget about that already? I guess you only remember it when it is convenient for your arguement.

JDiepstra... you really need to sit back down. You're talking out your ***.