Your contract with the military - it's one sided. Why?

SSG Jacob Wiley — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:37:01 -0400

Many on here have been in the military much longer than myself, however I believe we all joined under the same pretenses.

If you serve 20 years, you earn a retirement with healthcare for the rest of your life.

That no longer rings true. You now pay for the healthcare, under go unnecessarily long wait times for care, and your retirement "package" is constantly picked at.

Still being active duty, I wonder why I should stay 20 years in a job with shrinking retirement benefits. Mention you want to leave early, the words "you signed a contract" are boasted like it holds some kind of value. Yes, I did sign a contract - and the other party keeps changing the deal.

Thoughts?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 7:21 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:21:40 -0400

Folks

Let me ask this question - name one contract, that lasts at least 20 years, that does NOT go through changes, modifications, updates, revisions, etc.... Once we have that identified, we can compare.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Sep 9 at 2014 8:17 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 20:17:38 -0400

My contracts have never been one sided...I've gotten plenty out of each contract; but I worked my ass off for all of it.

If Soldiers wonder why they should stay...I'd refer them to ACAP. The military is not for everyone.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 10 at 2014 11:44 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:44:17 -0400

If you think your healthcare benefits is no longer "up to par", I suggest you try using civilian healthcare insurance for a bit. Yes, you have some wait times, but the premiums you pay for your family to use Tricare is MUCH cheaper than any comparable civilian health insurance.....

BTW your retirement pay is not a "pension". It is a retainer fee. You're STILL in the Army, just on the retired rolls and no longer subject to UCMJ. Reduced pay for reduced service. But I'd also challenge you to find any "retirement" program in the civilian world that even approaches what you get from a military retirement. The grass is not always greener.....

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 12:28 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:28:47 -0400

My short-and-sweet answer to that is: what is on the contract in black and white. Everything else is up for debate.

If you can find a guarantee of all expense paid medical care UPON RETIREMENT for the rest of your life in a contract, have at it!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 12:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:37:19 -0400

I disagree with your sentiment.

In my career the Army has been more than good. Even though we all go through some BS. The Army is a great institution for any 18 year old kid that has not figure out what they want in life.

The Army afforded me the opportunity to go to Brazil and Paraguay (Iraq does not count LOL). This year I may get to see Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

The Army also payed my Associates Degree and is currently paying my Bachelors. What private institution will afford you the opportunity to do that, very, very few. I will add, that now I can afford nursing school for my wife thanks to the Army and GI bill.

Pretty much you give and take, but you have to take every time you get the opportunity. If congress takes my benefits, I will still leave the service with some tools such as a degree and experience in my field.