"The democracy will cease to exist when
you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would
not."
-- Thomas Jefferson
If you don't forward it, you don't deserve their sacrifice.
CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama as an Assistant Director for NATIONAL
SECURITY in the Congressional Budget Office.....
This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the
Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers
across America .
Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the pay
raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13%
wage increase was more than they deserve.
A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a
bonus for this.
"MS Williams:
I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough”,
and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment
is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS
(The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my
latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes per month.
After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I
come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40 after.
I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team
responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with
infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick
check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C.
Area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three yearsˆ™ experience
in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is
being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum............. I'm sure you can
draw the obvious conclusions.
Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure
of serving your country in her armed forces.
Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD
leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay
brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of
deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN; I leave the choice of service branch
up to you. Whatever choice you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it
will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends,
thus giving you full "deployment experience."
As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and
children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note
that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet
while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the
"vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.
Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial
favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering
against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there
aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade
whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle
casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.
Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long
enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You
may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you
present in your open piece.
But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death your right to say it.
You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment
right and every other right you cherish...On a daily basis, my brother and
sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your
collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and
under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and
brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay
of civilian companies.
And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve?
What do you think someone should be paid to defend your life, and the life of
your family?
A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC
IF YOU AGREE,
PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO
AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN
AND WOMAN
GOD BLESS AMERICA