Posted on Sep 26, 2015
Should there be added benefits to Soldiers who completed their full 8 year requirement and were discharged honorably?
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Why? It's what we do. What's next, a letter from POTUS thanking us for taking a shower ???
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Cpl Timothy A. Lagerstrom
The Certificate of Honorable Discharge was good for me. Its what I signed up for. The thanks of my community is nice. I didnt join to get a letter from the Pres for doing my job the way it was supposed to be done. Honorable Discharge means that you did your job. Above and beyond generally rates medals and such. Everyone wants a trophy.
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I don't think so. You come into it knowing there is nothing on the back side unless you do 20 or more. Obviously if your injured you should def get VA compensation.
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree with what you are saying MSG, however the VA has to do a much better job of scanning who gets benefits. There are way too many people out there getting 100 percent disability who are first termers and really have not done anything, and at the same time we have others who have done very little who maybe twisted an ankle and had to get a shot in the foot trying to get full disability. The idea of VA compensation is a good one to people who need it, but it has to be scanned there are too many people abusing it and who pays for that? The taxpayers you and me.
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I think that all members who serve honorable should be able to keep their base/post access without having to go through the visitor's center. Some type of I.D., not the retiree I.D. or a CAC but something that allows base access. That way you can still visit bases in your area, maybe stop and say hi to former co-workers and stop at the BX/PX to buy things. I know I will probably still have family asking me for AF stuff like shirts and what not even after I am out. Would be nice being able to go up to Grand Forks AFB and get some.
I wouldn't say that we should receive money though. That is the only real incentive for staying in for 20+ years. You start giving that to everyone even at a reduced amount and retainability is going to become a huge issue.
I wouldn't say that we should receive money though. That is the only real incentive for staying in for 20+ years. You start giving that to everyone even at a reduced amount and retainability is going to become a huge issue.
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CW4 Brian Haas
That's for retirees. If you work for IBM for six years, you don't keep getting the company discount.
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SrA David Steyer
I think it is time for this to happen. Only because it could keep DeCA and AAFES alive. People don't bat an eye that AAFES is (or was) looking for a way for all honorably discharged veterans to shop online, plus people who have a star card (but are discharged) can shop from AAFES online and when you bring up the idea of letting veterans (again honorably discharged) physically visit the base and shop at AAFES and/or DeCA and possibly keep them afloat people loose their minds.
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Maj William Gambrell
SrA David Steyer - Please don't bring up the AAFES nonsense. The prices at the BX are no better than Wal-mart and especially the internet. Oh, but the AAFES claim of benefit is that we don't have to pay state taxes. What I never understood is why AAFES doesn't eliminate the state tax at the gas station. I have always wondered who got that tax since it is built into the gas price at the pump.
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They already do get benefits (through the VA). However, they don't get a stipend (unless it's disability). IMHO, I don't think they should get a stipend. Once your contract ends, direct payments should cease.
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MSG Paul DePrimo
I know we preach that "there are NO stupid questions", but this is a stupid question! I signed up at 17, voluntarily! We all know we MUST do 20 years for a retirement, unless medically discharged!
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LTC Kevin B.
MSG Paul DePrimo -
SGT Del Lavature was just throwing the question out there for discussion. He said that he didn't support the idea, but just wanted to provoke some discussion. I think it's a fair question.
SGT Del Lavature was just throwing the question out there for discussion. He said that he didn't support the idea, but just wanted to provoke some discussion. I think it's a fair question.
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PO1 John Miller
SSG (Join to see) - But if you're doing online school you only get something like 50% of the national average instead of the full BAH based on your geographical location (or your school's main campus).
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The benefits you receive are knowing that you honorably gave those 8 years of your life to the great people of this beautiful country. That within itself is a benefit. It's enough for me
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I think it would be funny if we could switch the outgoing benefits between the Services and the Congress. After 5 years you get 85% of your max salary and free medical. Congress gets what we get after 20 - if they serve for 20. But that's just a "for fun" statement - there are lots of complications that make it not truly relevant.
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My yearly Stipend is the memory for good Men and Woman standing side by side in the face of the unknown. Its the pride in the hearts of the young troopers going the extra mile. Its that Damn cup of Joe at 4:30 waiting on the troops to get rolling at 5:00. Its the heart brake when we had to send them home before there time. It is the colors flying above enemy ground. Sorry got carried away.
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No, you already get a ton of veterans benefits. Retirement should befor those who make a career out of it.
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CDR Terry Boles
MAJ Danny Clark
I couldn't agree more. One goes in knowing if you don't do the 20, there is no retirement, its not a surprise. If they want to walk away before 20 with some funds, then contribute to the TSP. But don't belittle those who made a career.
I couldn't agree more. One goes in knowing if you don't do the 20, there is no retirement, its not a surprise. If they want to walk away before 20 with some funds, then contribute to the TSP. But don't belittle those who made a career.
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I believe this is already coming with the modernization of the retirement plan which will make it more like the private sector, and not require a 20 year or nothing status.
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Capt Whitney Davis
LTC Yinon Weiss, do you know where I can find some specifics on the proposed modernization? I would be very interested to see in what direction they are going. Thank you.
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LTC Yinon Weiss
New military retirement system gets Pentagon OK
After months of official silence, the Defense Department on Wednesday sent to Capitol Hill its formal recommendation for transforming military
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