"Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket"

"Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (Full Version)

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Vendaval -> "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/11/2007 4:45:22 PM)
"Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket - CNN.com" POSTED: 9:27 a.m. EDT, April 11, 2007 "WASHINGTON (AP) -- The struggle to entice Army soldiers and Marines to stay in the military, after four years of war in Iraq, has ballooned into a $1 billion campaign, with bonuses soaring nearly sixfold since 2003. The size and number of bonuses have grown as officials scramble to meet the steady demand for troops on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan and reverse sporadic shortfalls in the number of National Guard and Reserve soldiers willing to sign on for multiple tours. Besides underscoring the extraordinary steps the Pentagon must take to maintain fighting forces, the rise in costs for re-enlistment incentives is putting strains on the defense budget, already strapped by the massive costs of waging war and equipping and caring for a modern military. The bonuses can range from a few thousand dollars to as much as $150,000 for very senior special forces soldiers who re-enlist for six years. All told, the Army and Marines spent $1.03 billion for re-enlistment payments last year, compared with $174 million in 2003, the year the war in Iraq began." http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/11/military.recruiting.ap/index.html

farglebargle -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 7:22:05 AM)
Yeah, funny how yesterday they extended duty tours to 15 months, eh?

pahunkboy -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 7:34:35 AM)
Forest Gump said that sargeaant Dan said to keep your sox dry.

Majik -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 9:01:48 AM)
I work on a military base close to where I live and I have customers coming in all the time telling me how they are on their 3rd and even 4th tours. Alot of these military people cannot even get out of the service because their enlistments have been extended. Same way with folks trying to retire. Seems the government is doing alot to keep these people in.

domiguy -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 12:36:28 PM)
During my three years in Vietnam, I certainly heard plenty of last words by dying American footsoldiers. Not one of them, however, had illusions that he had somehow accomplished something worthwhile in the process of making the Supreme Sacrifice. I hope the extra money makes their sacrifice worth it.

Alumbrado -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 4:29:40 PM)
A bonus of 'few thousand dollars' isn't exactly skyrocketing, given that the standard re-enlistment bonus for a first timer was 5K to 15K back in the 1970s....supply and demand..

Vendaval -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 5:13:26 PM)
I have heard the same stories, Majik, amongst my circle of friends.

SimplyMichael -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 5:14:51 PM)
me thinks the military gets what a giant clusterfuck and meatgrinder this war really is.

Vendaval -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 5:15:05 PM)
Do you mean on a case by case basis or the total increase to the budget?

Sinergy -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 8:44:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Alumbrado A bonus of 'few thousand dollars' isn't exactly skyrocketing, given that the standard re-enlistment bonus for a first timer was 5K to 15K back in the 1970s....supply and demand.. According to Cindy Sheehan, her son signed a contract guaranteeing him a $20,000 enlistment bonus. What he actually received was about $2400. Sinergy

SDFemDom4cuck -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 8:54:16 PM)
Interesting, but it sure isn't happening in the Air Force. My UM is a Crew Chief, his original sign on bonus was supposed to be $10,000 It took almost 8 months (after the one year mark) for him to receive part of it. He just finished his original 6 and re-enlisted for 4 more years last month. We didn't discuss if there was a bonus offered. I'll have to ask him when I call him tomorrow.

Alumbrado -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/12/2007 9:01:39 PM)
In the early '70s they didn't need sign on bonuses, they had the draft. Getting people to re-enlist was where the money came in.

Majik -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/13/2007 7:41:27 PM)
I asked a recruiter today about the bonuses and he told me that they were pro-rated over the enlistment time. It also can take up to a year to get the first payment....oh and also they take out taxes on the bonuses.

subfever -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/13/2007 8:20:26 PM)
Personally, I believe that government should have 4 branches instead of 3... and overall, should be about one tenth of it's current size. And in my hypothetical world, there would be zero income taxes on individuals earning income within the US. If this were the case, I'd say that we should have a referendum poll to see who is for, and who is against any war. Those who vote for the war would be assessed a special tax to fund it. The mercenaries who enlist should be paid a bonus equal to the average full-time national income per year of enlistment, plus a salary equal to the average full-time national income. Gee... other than genuine national defense, I wonder how many wars we would be involved in. Okay... I gotta go get another beer now... [;)]

jauntyone -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/13/2007 8:32:24 PM)
Greetings Master is career so he will never leave the service. I just signed my re-enlistment for another 4 years. As for an incentive. I really don't even know to tell the truth; nor do I care one way or another. I wish you all well melissa

UtopianRanger -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/13/2007 8:40:07 PM)
quote: If this were the case, I'd say that we should have a referendum poll to see who is for, and who is against any war. Those who vote for the war would be assessed a special tax to fund it Hell..... Forget about a ''poll'', I'd like to see a safeguard placed into the system in the form of a ''national referendum vote'', where voting blocs of people can override congress and the President in instances of wars and specific treaties like NAFTA. - R

subfever -> RE: "Military re-enlistment bonuses skyrocket" (4/13/2007 9:26:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: UtopianRanger quote: If this were the case, I'd say that we should have a referendum poll to see who is for, and who is against any war. Those who vote for the war would be assessed a special tax to fund it Hell..... Forget about a ''poll'', I'd like to see a safeguard placed into the system in the form of a ''national referendum vote'', where voting blocs of people can override congress and the President in instances of wars and specific treaties like NAFTA. - R Yup, I agree... "national referendum vote" is a better choice of words than "referendum poll." But in my hypothetical world, a one-tenth sized government wouldn't have the power to declare and finance war.

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