Veterans deserve every benefit they get — maybe more. I think forcing them into extended service is shameful.
One of the MAJOR benefits that all prospective military retirees, during my generation, was 1) the retired check after 20 years; 2) the commissary benefit; and 3) medical care for life.
So, what happens. The Imperial Federal Government gives us the retired check. They tried to cut it from 50% at 20 years, to 40% at 20 years, but that fell flat on its face and they lost people from non-reenlisting. So, they close base after base after base. That reduced the access to a military commissary for shopping to a rare thing. The nearest commissary to me is 110 miles to Huntsville, AL at Red Stone, or 115 to Atlanta for Fort Gillem, which is also going to be closed, or 145 miles to Fort Benning. If you take the time and money to drive to those, what have you saved? The nearest post was Fort McClellan, AL. It was 7 miles from the house. Hundreds of retired military here. So, Klinton kills Fort McClellan and it closes. The AL national guard uses part of it now. Real Estate developers have the rest. Many really, really nice building, gyms, pools, etc., in the old MP School area, are falling down. Wasted millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars as they rot to the ground. And lastly, the health care benefit. First, the base closures take away access to the hospitals. They they create this monstrosity of a health-care system called TRICARE. That is basically our insurance carrier now. We have to now pay a fee every year, and co-pays. NOW the WONDERFUL BUSH administration wants to nearly TRIPLE our yearly fee payment.
While a lot of people will say, well boo-hoo-hoo about that, the thing is, this is what kept a lot of folks in the military. Willing to forego the lower pay, the constant travel, the time away from families. These benefits that we were promised, were what kept my generation and earlier generations there. We knew what we were getting for our service. However, after you are retired. The imperial federal government, BUSH, says, NO, those were only PROMISES. The RECRUITERS did not have the right to make those promises!!!!! However, the imperial federal government committed FRAUD, knowingly allowing their recruiters to make such promises, however NEVER told them to stop. The system was working to their advantage. When they did not like the system later, they changed it. Piss on us.
Would I serve again. YES. However, I would have made much different life choices also. I would have done a lot of things different. A lot of decisions I made, for me and my family, were made off what I was TOLD I was getting. Only, after the fact, the Imperial Federal Government changes everything to meet their agendas and lies about it.
I would not give you 15 cents for ANY politician. NOT ONE. I do not trust any politician to what he or she promises. They ALL LIE. What is worse, I do not trust my government. When the people do not trust their elected officials and government, then what do you have. I have lost ALL FAITH in my government. At all levels. They all lie to fit their own personal agendas. George Bush is a prime example of a liar who tell you one thing and delivers another.