ATTN: Anyone with military experience

[DevilK9]

easy cowboy i come from a military family.

He asked a question and i answered. I have a good friend in the Marines, he travels overseas all the time. Hes in Jordan now, was in Iraq for 9 months too. He made ALOT of money when he was overseas for the hazard pay, tax free, etc. Hes actually trying to re-enlist when hes over there so his signing bonus will be tax free.

Its not ALL about the money, but come on, why do you think the military pays more for jobs in those areas? INCENTIVES.

Lets not pull any punches, when you join the marines, especially in todays world, and you pick an assignment overseas, you know the risk you are taking.

I appreciate your friends sacrifice, but they were brave and knew that this could have happened. You should honor them by remembering they paid the ultimate price, as do i. They knew the risk joining the military especially the marines.

So to the OP, since you have assumed the risk , i would go overseas, worse case scenario you wind up in IRAQ or Afgan. But you could be like my buddy an wind up in Asia, and other parts of the Arab world. And you make a good bit of money providing for your future as well why you are there.

FYI My father was a 20 Year Vet in the Air Force (Col.) and his father was before him, and before him. My mothers side has a Fighter Pilot and a Chief who gave almost 40 years of service. My Brother in law just got out, he was a major in the AF.

Kidd,

I know you, respect you, and I was not implying anything, just calling out a statement that appeared a little ignorant.

I know very much the dangers and benefits of overseas service. Been there, done that. True, you could wind up anywhere, and anything could happen. I was simply saying that ending up somewhere and making more money (whether that be increased BAH and COMRATS,Family Seperation Pay or Combat Pay in and area of conflict) was far from the worst that could happen.

I think it's great that your family has a history of service, but bloodlinesand military lifestyle do not a complete perspective on what the job truly means.

So to the original question, I spoke with the PFC on the phone and it looks like he's talking about a little slip of paper that they are required (by congress within the DOD Quality of Life Act of Whenever) to offer you that says "Where would you like to go?". These were passed out in peacetime and used as an incentive during A and C schools. Those that excelled got first dibs on a nice service station. Those that weren't as good generally took what they got. Since 2001, when I filled out the form, it pretty much means absolutely nothing. I gave the PFC a few ideas that will actually help him get where he wants to go.

So Kidd, this is not an argumentative post (as I've refrained from harsh language and use of sarcastic smileys). Just clarifying really.

By the way, per an article in Marine Corps Times earlier this year (yah, I still get it for some reason), the military pay equivalency came out to an average of -30% to civilian pay. Some were higher, some were lower, but overall, in skilled professions, enlisted pay is pretty bad. Officer pay isn't terrible, but there is a financial epidemic right now amongst enlisted personnel.

[EvasiveEF9]

Kidd,

I know you, respect you, and I was not implying anything, just calling out a statement that appeared a little ignorant.

I know very much the dangers and benefits of overseas service. Been there, done that. True, you could wind up anywhere, and anything could happen. I was simply saying that ending up somewhere and making more money (whether that be increased BAH and COMRATS,Family Seperation Pay or Combat Pay in and area of conflict) was far from the worst that could happen.

I think it's great that your family has a history of service, but bloodlinesand military lifestyle do not a complete perspective on what the job truly means.

So to the original question, I spoke with the PFC on the phone and it looks like he's talking about a little slip of paper that they are required (by congress within the DOD Quality of Life Act of Whenever) to offer you that says "Where would you like to go?". These were passed out in peacetime and used as an incentive during A and C schools. Those that excelled got first dibs on a nice service station. Those that weren't as good generally took what they got. Since 2001, when I filled out the form, it pretty much means absolutely nothing. I gave the PFC a few ideas that will actually help him get where he wants to go.

So Kidd, this is not an argumentative post (as I've refrained from harsh language and use of sarcastic smileys). Just clarifying really.

By the way, per an article in Marine Corps Times earlier this year (yah, I still get it for some reason), the military pay equivalency came out to an average of -30% to civilian pay. Some were higher, some were lower, but overall, in skilled professions, enlisted pay is pretty bad. Officer pay isn't terrible, but there is a financial epidemic right now amongst enlisted personnel.

What is COMRATS? Don't believe I've heard of it, yet...

And out of curiosity...that slip aside, to they normally send you nearer to home, or just wherever the hell they want to put you?

Devil, I'm sure you've heard, but thankfully they're TRYING to help that -30% in enlisted pay. I think we're expecting like 3% (???) increase in January? Only 27% to go, right?

I agree on civilian contracting...good god. I did some job searching before enlisting and saw offers for mechanics for the US in Afghan (??) offering like 70-80K a year, and more. So I called just to inquire, and they said it was pretty much only available to retired/honorably discharged personell. I decided I should have signed when I was 18.