Wait.. Whaaaaa?! This is the paycheck? Uh ya, newsflash military members (especially junior enlisted) aren't rich or anywhere near it. Many people are under the idea that joining the military is the solution to all problems. While yes, in this economy having a stable job/paycheck, health insurance and a place to live is awesome. It's no where near the lavish experience many people perceive. I'm not saying saying every junior enlisted service member, hell any service member lives paycheck to paycheck, but they still have to budget and have to be frugal. The pay service members receive does not do justice for the job they do, in my opinion.
With the economy on a continuous downfall the military recruiting offices are jammed packed with people 'wanting to serve their country'. Ehm, bullshit. Well for the most part. A lot of the people want all the benefits of the military without the sacrifices. I'm sorry sweetheart, it doesn't work that way. You have to do this because you want to. You have to have a passion to put that uniform on everyday. It takes a special kind of person to be a member of the United States military. Don't get me wrong many DBA (dead beat Airmen.. well any branch) slip through the cracks of BMT/Bootcamp and tech school, but they will not get far.
I guess I just wish more people would understand that A.) The military is not a 'cure all', in fact it adds a lot more stress than most people can deal with. and B.) That military doesn't get paid out the ass. I hate going places and they find out H is military and they make a comment like "Oh you guys have to be bringing in some money" or "Must be nice to have all that money".. uh what money?! Lol.
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I'm a new follower :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. My boyfriend is in the military, and he does it because he wants too. He likes doing what he does.
Yay! :) I love new followers!
ReplyDeleteThat's my biggest problem with media and recruiting strategies. They treat the military like a scholarship program. No, this isn't Miss America. It's not "something you do" while you go to college (although I think the education benefits are fabulous and necessary). It's a life choice. No one can or should join the military without the primary expectation of being put in harm's way, since we are at war, but it seems like so many people do. And yes, in many ways, our life was MUCH simpler pre-Army. However, I wouldn't trade the fact that my husband now has a job he loves for anything!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree JG! The commercials are making it seem as if all you have to do is go to work Monday through Friday for 4 years and you'll get free money for college without having to work overtime and/or deploy.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more woman!!! It goes hand in hand with my post and the people who are just so freaking ignorant.
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