Response to Cindy Williams' editorial
> 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.
>
> On Nov. 12, Ms. Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV
>show), wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s)
>coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage
>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 GIs 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. 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 years experience with 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 chil
>dren 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 (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 nearly be 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 oped 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 rights 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 nose 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? Rubbish!
>
> A1C Michael Bragg
>
> Hill AFB AFNCC
>
> IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS
>POSSIBLE AND SHOW OU R SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN.
>THANK YOU!
>piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in
>all newspapers across America.
>
> On Nov. 12, Ms. Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV
>show), wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s)
>coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage
>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 GIs 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. 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 years experience with 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 chil
>dren 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 (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 nearly be 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 oped 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 rights 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 nose 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? Rubbish!
>
> A1C Michael Bragg
>
> Hill AFB AFNCC
>
> IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS
>POSSIBLE AND SHOW OU R SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN.
>THANK YOU!