Were you in the Military?

[Johnfromokc]

Anyone planning to join today, remember: they offer those bonuses for one of two reasons:
1. It's a crappy and/or dangerous job that nobody sane wants to do, or
2. It's something you can earn twice as much doing it as a civilian.

Go in with a level head and eyes wide open. Find someone who will tell you the unvarnished truth (like a prior military person) before signing anything.

I agree with #1, but not #2. If that were true, we would have to resort to the Selective Service System aka the draft, to get enough boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Plus, what 18 year old has enough work experience and skill sets to make more than minimum wage today? Vocational progams have essentially been defunded in many communities. When I enlisted, I was as accomplished a welder and metal worker as an 18 YO could be because of an excellent vocational program at my high school. Plus, I had worked for a general contractor in the remodleing business since age 16 - 18 as needed, in addition to being a food service worker in the local municipal hospital, and then working for a local plumber until I deployed.

How many 18 year olds have a resume like that today? Few. When I was 18, many of my friends were already fairly accomplished mechanics who had built their own hot rods from the crank shaft up. Kids today glue plastic shit on their cars and call it "pimping" their ride. When was the last time you saw a teenager with a 67 Chevelle with a high lift cam, Hurst shift kit, and headers that he installed himself?

So why did I join? Simple - for the adventure, training and world travel. Patriotism? A little - my dad was Army in WW2, one uncle Navy and another USMC, both WW2.

As to the pay issue? An E-1 buck private earns $1467.60 per month. That's $8.47 per hour, plus free housing, 3 meals a day and 30 days paid vacation wile stateside. More pay for deployment and overseas duty.

That beats the hell out of being a minimum wage worker at $7.25 per hour and ZERO bennies doesn't it?

http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

An E-9 over 24 earns $5873.40. Thats $70,481 per year, or $33.89 per hour. Not a bad gig, and they get free health care for life, plus a very nice retirement pension.

How many private sector jobs pay that well?

 

[Accountable]

I agree with #1, but not #2. If that were true, we would have to resort to the Selective Service System aka the draft, to get enough boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Plus, what 18 year old has enough work experience and skill sets to make more than minimum wage today?

Right. Which is why in that case it would be a good idea to get the training and GTFO!

 

[The Doc]

I agree with #1, but not #2. If that were true, we would have to resort to the Selective Service System aka the draft, to get enough boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Plus, what 18 year old has enough work experience and skill sets to make more than minimum wage today? Vocational progams have essentially been defunded in many communities. When I enlisted, I was as accomplished a welder and metal worker as an 18 YO could be because of an excellent vocational program at my high school. Plus, I had worked for a general contractor in the remodleing business since age 16 - 18 as needed, in addition to being a food service worker in the local municipal hospital, and then working for a local plumber until I deployed.

How many 18 year olds have a resume like that today? Few. When I was 18, many of my friends were already fairly accomplished mechanics who had built their own hot rods from the crank shaft up. Kids today glue plastic shit on their cars and call it "pimping" their ride. When was the last time you saw a teenager with a 67 Chevelle with a high lift cam, Hurst shift kit, and headers that he installed himself?

So why did I join? Simple - for the adventure, training and world travel. Patriotism? A little - my dad was Army in WW2, one uncle Navy and another USMC, both WW2.

As to the pay issue? An E-1 buck private earns $1467.60 per month. That's $8.47 per hour, plus free housing, 3 meals a day and 30 days paid vacation wile stateside. More pay for deployment and overseas duty.

That beats the hell out of being a minimum wage worker at $7.25 per hour and ZERO bennies doesn't it?

http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

An E-9 over 24 earns $5873.40. Thats $70,481 per year, or $33.89 per hour. Not a bad gig, and they get free health care for life, plus a very nice retirement pension.

How many private sector jobs pay that well?

Army Health Care is terrible. Its about getting you in and out. They treat you pretty crappy too. Trust me, I am an Army health care provider. Reminds of when i got swine flu in basic training and got quarintined. The nurses came in there wearing astronaut outfits.

 

[Johnfromokc]

Army Health Care is terrible. Its about getting you in and out. They treat you pretty crappy too. Trust me, I am an Army health care provider. Reminds of when i got swine flu in basic training and got quarintined. The nurses came in there wearing astronaut outfits.

There are many who disagree with your assessment Doc. My sister is a manager with TriCare at Fort MacDill. They take care of active duty and dependents. They see private doctors and get excellent care. She deals with all services, and she says the people who bitch and complain the most are Army, lol. Must have to do with the Army culture.

Another of our members here, MAK2 is an RN with the VA and his opinion differs as well. Of course, all 3 of our opinions here are technically anecdotal. Back in the 80's 100% of my experiences with the Naval Base Hospital staff was excellent. My one experience with an Army base hospital? Not so much - but it was a minor issue that really wasn't that big of a deal. My own father, a WW2 vet, died in a VA hospital in Atlanta Georgia in 1987. The care I witnessed was the most compassionate I have ever seen - better than any private hospital I have had contact with.

Bottom line? Don't you think the estimated 40,000,000 Americans with no health care coverage whatsoever would love to have what you have?

 

[Accountable]

I'm not sure they're willing to pay the premium. Sometimes they charge an arm and a leg.
http://www.google.com/search?q=bamc...gc.r_pw.&fp=16c00fab79f32163&biw=1127&bih=627

 

[Johnfromokc]

I'm not sure they're willing to pay the premium. Sometimes they charge an arm and a leg.

True. And sadly, it is not the price of freedom these guys are paying so much as the price of profits for the military industrial complex.

 

[The Doc]

There are many who disagree with your assessment Doc. My sister is a manager with TriCare at Fort MacDill. They take care of active duty and dependents. They see private doctors and get excellent care. She deals with all services, and she says the people who bitch and complain the most are Army, lol. Must have to do with the Army culture.

Another of our members here, MAK2 is an RN with the VA and his opinion differs as well. Of course, all 3 of our opinions here are technically anecdotal. Back in the 80's 100% of my experiences with the Naval Base Hospital staff was excellent. My one experience with an Army base hospital? Not so much - but it was a minor issue that really wasn't that big of a deal. My own father, a WW2 vet, died in a VA hospital in Atlanta Georgia in 1987. The care I witnessed was the most compassionate I have ever seen - better than any private hospital I have had contact with.

Bottom line? Don't you think the estimated 40,000,000 Americans with no health care coverage whatsoever would love to have what you have?

Im telling you man, it really does suck. Its structured around saving money. This is one of few jobs i have seen where i, a PFC can yell at all patients, Privates, seargents, officers etc... and get away with it. The doctors are rude and yell at patients alot too...lol.. i think its funny but i would never in a million fucking years take my mother or father to an army clinic.

 

[Johnfromokc]

Im telling you man, it really does suck. Its structured around saving money. This is one of few jobs i have seen where i, a PFC can yell at all patients, Privates, seargents, officers etc... and get away with it. The doctors are rude and yell at patients alot too...lol.. i think its funny but i would never in a million fucking years take my mother or father to an army clinic.

There's a huge difference between TriCare and a base hospital. I'm talking about the funding of the care as opposed to the experience troops have. I think your situation has more to do with Army culture in your particular location. Such behavior would not be tolerated in a Naval hospital.

 

[Accountable]

Im telling you man, it really does suck. Its structured around saving money. This is one of few jobs i have seen where i, a PFC can yell at all patients, Privates, seargents, officers etc... and get away with it. The doctors are rude and yell at patients alot too...lol.. i think its funny but i would never in a million fucking years take my mother or father to an army clinic.

I'm a regular visitor to Camp Bullis' new Taylor Burk Clinic and Brooks Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston. I'm always treated with the utmost respect, as is everyone within eyesight or earshot whenever I've been there. I'd bet my experience is more common than yours. Stop yelling at people, and remember that you're a leader and don't let other people do it, either.

 

[Darrell]

Im telling you man, it really does suck. Its structured around saving money. This is one of few jobs i have seen where i, a PFC can yell at all patients, Privates, seargents, officers etc... and get away with it. The doctors are rude and yell at patients alot too...lol.. i think its funny but i would never in a million fucking years take my mother or father to an army clinic.

Army Clinics are a fucking mess, Doc. They always have been, and they always will be. Privates yelling at people? I was a Staff Sergeant when stationed with the Army, if a Private had yelled at me, I would have put my foot up his ass. :24:

The VA needs work too. They are better than Army medical centers by a long shot, but they still leave a lot to be desired.

Air Force medical centers by far are the best, I'm not saying that because I'm an Air Force vet either. I did joint service with the Army in Afghan and at the DLI, so I've experience what Army and Air Force have to offer from a medical standpoint, and the Air Force doctors were more compassionate, better trained, and overall superior providers. They didn't treat everything with Motrin and Robitussin like the Army.