Do you feel betrayed by your leaders?

2014-04-19T00:11:44-04:00

The top seven 4 star generals are expected to testify to Congress that programs like their near 400 billion dollar F35 are more important than your pay. Pay cuts for troops are expected to be asked for. This is on top of a law passed in 07 that makes a general's pay go up nearly 80k per year AFTER they retire to almost 225k. 

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2014 4:09 PM

2014-04-19T16:09:23-04:00

I feel completely betrayed. The ONLY people who can testify that they are willing to sacrifice pay for training are the people who already make $90,000+ a year. There is too much of a gap between the top and the bottom and not enough leaders willing to stand up for their Soldiers, instead just a bunch of yes men trying to get the next rank. It's discusting to think that our top "leaders" think they can speak on our behalf about such a subject. Money is wasted far more at the top levels of the military and the lower levels pay with pay reductions. Makes me sick and I can't wait to get out.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 19 at 2014 4:49 PM

2014-04-19T16:49:16-04:00

No one is asking for pay cuts...simply pre-9/11 pay raises. The law you're referring to was to retain our senior-most leaders at a time when many would have retired instead of fighting a war with no clear end-state. Also, what's more important for our country to win wars?  Highly paid and substantially benefited troops or weaponry to deter/fight and win future wars/campaigns?  If anyone has betrayed us, it's the civilian leaders within the District of Columbia.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 3:47 PM

2014-04-28T15:47:03-04:00

I feel very much betrayed by my leaders. But not to the degree that your post is referring to 1SG. On an entirely different level. I've lost faith in any leader of mine above my company level.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 28 at 2014 4:14 PM

2014-04-28T16:14:34-04:00

Honestly, no. I've never really believed the lofty ideals we preach day in and day out were very realistic. They tend to ignore the human element of the Army. Human failings like greed, apathy, anger, and selfishness have to be taken into account. The higher up we go, the day to day Soldier loses visibility, becomes a number, one of many assets the senior leadership has at it's disposal (and I use the term disposal purposely). We are an asset. A number on a spreadsheet.We cease being people, with bills and children and responsibilies. Our paychecks, to us are necessary. To them, they are an expense. One of many, admittedly.

I don't expect the senior leadership to be any more interested in me than the CEO of Wal-Mart would be in some random clerk in Sheboygan. So I've never put them on a pedestal. To me, they've always been humans, subject to all the same normal human failings as the rest of us.

So do I feel betrayed? No. I don't expect them to care about some random part of the machine. But am I dissapointed? Very much so. I am dissapointed that, while so many of us say "when I'M in charge, I won't do XXX" the machine ensures that those promises are rarely kept. I'm dissapointed to know that, in the end, politics and self interest will always win out over ethical responsibility.

Apologies for being long winded...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 5:09 PM

2014-04-28T17:09:16-04:00

All is well :)

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 28 at 2014 5:30 PM

2014-04-28T17:30:49-04:00

Well I guess that would depend on the level of leadership we are talking about here. At platoon, company, battalion, brigade and division level I have never felt betrayed. Above that, I would have to say yes, both in the military and especially our elected officials. We are once again fighting in a war that we will not be allowed to win. Afghanistan is slowly turning into a cross between Korea (forgotten) and Vietnam (taking ground only to give it back to the enemy). This is my opinion and I will stand by it no matter what others may say or vote.

Response by SSG Nathan Bryant made Apr 28 at 2014 5:37 PM

2014-04-28T17:37:18-04:00

The Leaders way up at that level . . . yes, I do feel betrayed. I wonder what Soldiers were polled reference us willing to sacrifice pay. I didn't get the email, the memo, or the MILPER Message reference regarding that. I could go on about it, but will maintain military bearing and be professional.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 6:56 PM

2014-04-28T18:56:00-04:00

Betrayed no, dismayed maybe. I find the idea of cutting down on commissaries and soldiers paying for health care appalling. Even worse a high military official saying it will teach discipline. Troops don't make a lot of money and there are many on food stamps...these benefit cuts could send more on food stamps which is pathetic. I understand the need for fiscal responsibility and there has to be other places to start.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 11:01 PM

2014-04-28T23:01:33-04:00

I will obey the orders of those appointed over me, as well as use my education benefits and eyeball my ETS date.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Apr 29 at 2014 7:51 PM

2014-04-29T19:51:57-04:00

Negative, I have always believed in controlling what I control in life and not stressing that which I do not. With that in mind, I do my job to the best of my abilities. I feel if I do that the rest will come. It does not always go the way I would like, that is inevitable. But then, it is life, it is the Army and therefore I cannot control everything. A positive attitude can make all the difference in the world.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 29 at 2014 8:21 PM

2014-04-29T20:21:34-04:00

Yes