21
21
0
For the past 14 years, the American public has largely sought to thank our troops and show their support through measures both great and small. From "Support Our Troops" bumper stickers to airlines allowing Military personnel to board flights ahead of all other passengers. With the Wars now winding down, Navy Veteran and Team Rubicon employee Ken Harbaugh explores a much deeper looming dilemma as he sees it: The Risk of Over-Thanking Our Veterans. He goes well beyond the simple courtesies of the 10% discounts and the pats on the back from a grateful nation - he points to the exploding costs of caring for the Veterans who have been at war these past 14 years, the soaring VA budget, a Comp & Pen system that is often gamed by Vets for a payout, and the potential fallout and resentment this may ultimately engender with the broader taxpaying public who may ultimately ask if they are paying too much?
What do you say, RP Nation? Does Mr. Harbaugh raise some valid points? Or is he merely a Veteran who is better off than most who is on a soap box and pointing fingers? What say you?
What do you say, RP Nation? Does Mr. Harbaugh raise some valid points? Or is he merely a Veteran who is better off than most who is on a soap box and pointing fingers? What say you?
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
DAV
The American Legion
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 34
6
6
0
Im gong with Other.
While Mr. Harbaugh makes a decent point when he talks about members gaming the system, their are veterans who legitimately NEED those compensations.
Truth is we have some bad apples in the military. Just like there are bad apples in every place. Some people are gaming the system. I feel a bit weird when Vets pressure me to file for disability. I've been out 3 years and honestly don't see a need as I am in good health. I think there is a culture of grab everything you can. But I also think that stems from legislators who constantly play with our benefits, adding and subtracting them to get what ever votes they want. I think Vets get tired of lawmakers playing "how much can we get away with". I always laugh when they cut the military spending budget and the first thing they go after is member benefits.
So sorry I'm on the fence. I hate the bad apples, but I also hate the way Lawmakers play with us.
While Mr. Harbaugh makes a decent point when he talks about members gaming the system, their are veterans who legitimately NEED those compensations.
Truth is we have some bad apples in the military. Just like there are bad apples in every place. Some people are gaming the system. I feel a bit weird when Vets pressure me to file for disability. I've been out 3 years and honestly don't see a need as I am in good health. I think there is a culture of grab everything you can. But I also think that stems from legislators who constantly play with our benefits, adding and subtracting them to get what ever votes they want. I think Vets get tired of lawmakers playing "how much can we get away with". I always laugh when they cut the military spending budget and the first thing they go after is member benefits.
So sorry I'm on the fence. I hate the bad apples, but I also hate the way Lawmakers play with us.
(6)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
MSgt Robert Pellam, you have nothing to apologize for at all, MSgt. You are probably speaking for the majority of Veterans on this matter. You cannot control the actions of those who seek to play games, either for personal gain or political; you must merely live in the environment as it exists. Just like we all must.
(3)
(0)
MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D.
I applaud you for maintaining your health, and not feigning illnesses... Those who do such, actually harm those of us that need VA care as a result of service connected disabilities/ I'm thankful to the VA for my eye care -- my lenses alone cost more than $1,500.00. What veterans need to now and be thankful for is: If you are healthy - stay healthy, and if you have disabilities, don't give up; albeit te employment process may be nearly impossible, and voc rehab may be utterly worthless.
(3)
(0)
5
5
0
You can never say thank you enough. It's the most under used phrase in the English language.
(5)
(0)
5
5
0
Bullshit. The war in Iraq is not close to being concluded. Some veterans will fudge the system but that is another issue. Our military goes to war and the civilians go to the mall and probably think the ME is a nebulous place.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
I think that everyone needs to be thankful for what veterans have done for our country and the world in general.
Nothing against anyone who has not served, except for those who steal valor and are complete fakes and liars, we all serve or do not serve for our own reasons.
That all being said, I sometimes am irritated by people who constantly are gushing their thanks for my having served. Its almost like its an expected thing to be said and for most the sincerity is not there. I also look at Veterans Day, free meals and other free or discounted things to do, but its getting to the point of people walking in wearing some cammies from the thrift store and saying they are a veteran and getting a free meal. Yeah there are supposed to be checks on ID, DD-214, etc., but who in all actuality carries their DD-214? Lots of people like I said just walk in wearing cammies pants and everyone assumes they are a veteran, some may be, but I am pretty certain most are not.
Nothing against anyone who has not served, except for those who steal valor and are complete fakes and liars, we all serve or do not serve for our own reasons.
That all being said, I sometimes am irritated by people who constantly are gushing their thanks for my having served. Its almost like its an expected thing to be said and for most the sincerity is not there. I also look at Veterans Day, free meals and other free or discounted things to do, but its getting to the point of people walking in wearing some cammies from the thrift store and saying they are a veteran and getting a free meal. Yeah there are supposed to be checks on ID, DD-214, etc., but who in all actuality carries their DD-214? Lots of people like I said just walk in wearing cammies pants and everyone assumes they are a veteran, some may be, but I am pretty certain most are not.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
Ok so here I go. Is the VA system broken? YES. Does it need to be fixed? YES. We all get that. Fixing the broken system is going to take time, money, and man power. There are a lot MORE veterans now then 20 to 30 years ago and the VA fell way behind and can not keep up. Do some people "game the system"? YES. And that does need to stop. But first you have to fix the system so you can stop the people who are gaming it. Now, I do not want to sound greedy. However, I'm service connected and retired. What Mr. Harbaugh fails to realize is, as a retiree my "disability payment" is deducted from my retirement pay. I personnel feel that this a little slap on the face. Why does it have to come out of my retirement pay? Yes, it is tax free. However, I earned both. I personally feel that we should be getting both.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
How is it possible to "over-thank" anyone who writes their life as a blank check for the government to utilize as it sees fit? Service members don't, very often, get the say in where and how often they will go to keep their military career going, to see it through to retirement.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
It's all cocomamy, even adjusting for benefits, we're still underpaid for all the intangibles of what we do. Diminished health, lost relationships, personality changes, hardships adjusting to a civilian world that may not need our skills, etc.
Whatever 'after service' benefits we get, are either difficult to actually use, long waiting lists, excuses as to why we're not entitled to this or to that, etc.
If anything, our after service benefits should be increased and made easier to actually use.
Whatever 'after service' benefits we get, are either difficult to actually use, long waiting lists, excuses as to why we're not entitled to this or to that, etc.
If anything, our after service benefits should be increased and made easier to actually use.
(4)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA, depending upon the benefit you are seeking to access, some are easier to apply for and utilize than others. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is an extremely efficient process, as are the Yellow Ribbon programs many schools and states offer to compliment the Post 9/11. Healthcare and Service-Connection can be a nightmare, but can vary wildly depending upon the VAMC you are going to for services. It is a system in need of reform, but we have an Administration that doesn't seem interested in fixing anything at this time.
(1)
(0)
4
4
0
Here is an excellent counterpoint to Mr. Harbaugh's commentary, written by Michael D. Helm, National Commander of The American Legion.
To save articles or get newsletters, alerts or recommendations – all free.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
3
3
0
Ask that question of Vets from the 60's and 70's and how we where treated back then vs now and I think most will agree that Mr Harbaugh doesnt speak for US!
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google