I earned my military retirement, and it is a small sum of money, about $16,000 a year, not even enough to make my house payment.
My husband, who is disabled completely thanks to two tours in Viet Nam and exposure to AO has more than earned his and I have earned mine in my own right too.
When we both signed on the dotted line, part of the guarantee was that should we serve at least 20 years we would then have earned, with our retirement stipend, military benefits which would include medical care..When my DH was 65, for a short time he could be seen at the Military Treatment Faclity BUT he also had to have the secondary ins which at one time was Health Net and at a different time it was Secure Horizons. Then thanks to Colonel Day, Tricare For Life was put in place and now finally the medical benefit that was promised ( though the wonks in DC claim that was not part of recruitment packages though how could so many of us have heard it so wrong, was put in place. Now if the sacred cows in DC could get away with it they would take it away.
This same govt has fooled with the original retirement program and and now let’s find another way to treat our “heroes” by denying them the medical care that was promised and foul up the retirement pension in the bargain.
With the now in place don’t ask don’t tell removed...it will be interesting to see just who signs on the dotted lines now..
Wait until the govt has to pay for disability for illnesses brought on by behaviour! Stand by for a new round when the cost of STDs and Aids come into focus.