Why do we watch millionaires play for millions on superbowl Sunday?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 14:44:02 -0500

Why do we barely make enough money to take care of our families? The fact that lawmakers allow the Government to shut down, or that they protest modest raises for the military, and they would like to cut our benefits.....

I am always amazed when professional athletes join the military. The servicemembers protect the rights and freedom for all Americans, we are an all-volunteer force, and we do not hesitate to make any sacrifice. We are not asking to be millionaires, just to be paid a decent wage that can support our families now and into retirement. When did supporting the troops morph into just lip service?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 3:01 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:01:59 -0500

SSG Lonnie K,

We are making some significant progress toward more compensation parity with other first world national militaries. From what I have seen we are substantially better off than Vietnam pay scale. But, we do have a long long way to go. I haven't done much in this area lately; let me do some research and knock on a few doors up the hill.

Where do you see the greatest need(s) today: salary, benefits, uniform allowance, housing, housing subsidies, your education, children's education, spouse employment, day care, health care, commissary, PX, family medical care leave, emergency leave, business travel / accommodation / meals other areas? What would make the most difference to you, your family, your subordinates, and your leaders?

How do these issues affect your focus on the job, motivation, retention, transition, and retirement concerns?

Warmest Regards, Sandy

p.s. Perhaps we watch the SuperBowl because it is the culmination of so many football contests from touch football to the professional level, as in many other sports, where players often rise from terribly underprivileged backgrounds to be rewarded among the highest earners in the country. I personally love the Army-Navy game; but, ARMY needs to win!!!

So, let's get the game on and may the best team demolish their opponents!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 3:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:36:48 -0500

Football should be

outlawed and every professional sports player and team owner thrown in jail or into the military their money earned from sports given to comunities where they have cause hardship on persons forced to sell their homes for less than it would take them to move such as Arlington TX where the Dallas Cowboys now kown as the Arlington Assholes and Jerry Jones us imminent domain to force people that did not want to sell out of their homes and off of their land to build a football stadium that was not neeed.

Response by TSgt Phillip L. made Feb 2 at 2014 3:52 PM

TSgt Phillip L. — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:52:08 -0500

I've always failed to see the attraction to professional sports like this. My eyes were opened during the baseball strike in the 90's, and I've not supported a single professional sport since. To the second part of you question/statement, I will say that in the 15 years that I was collecting a paycheck from the military, I watched significant improvements to pay. So it does happen, it's just been stalled for the past several years with Obama. While still in uniform, you have to watch what you do politically, but you can certainly help educate the soldiers around you. I watched for years as the airmen around me supported the Clintons, and then Obama. I simply couldn't fathom the amount of stupidity it takes to vote for someone who has stated they will cut your positions and lower your pay. There are a lot of misguided, and poorly educated people in this country, and many of them are in the military. Mentorship is all about teaching and building up those who need it. The military promotes, or at least used to promote, mentoring younger and lower ranking troops. The best way to educate others, is to take them under your wing, befriend (as appropriate), and build them up. Then you'll earn a place where you can speak truth about subjects like this, and hopefully inject some sense. It's always worked for me. Even outside the military. We can take back this country, but it happens one persona at a time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 4:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:58:13 -0500

Because Football.