America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 20 years ago by usahog. 19 replies replies.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#1 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 2:10 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Roundtable

Soldier must pay for his trip home



We are usually quiet individuals, expressing little about world events and politics, etc. However, we have to stand up and say something now.


Our son-in-law is in the Army, serving our country for several months in Iraq. He was recently authorized to return home for two weeks. We are all grateful for this news! However, there is one catch _ he has to pay for the journey!


How can the government expect him to pay his own airfare? It seems unfair the government won't foot the bill to send troops home, after they risk their lives for our country. They have had to leave their families struggling emotionally and some financially. Then when they do have the opportunity to come home briefly, they are expected to pay their own way.


This is an atrocity! And, too often, there is no way some of these families can afford the airfare.


Our country is spending a fortune on behalf of another country. But, our fighting forces should be the main priority, including traveling home for a reprieve. We truly believe our armed forces should be rewarded with a paid visit to their loved ones. Don't you?


tailgater Offline
#2 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 2:26 AM EST
Joined: 06-01-2000
Posts: 26,185
I don't think this is true.

A group of soldiers just came home to Rhode Island recently and they didn't have to pay for the ride.

RICKAMAVEN Offline
#3 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 2:32 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
the article was written by their parents.
xrundog Offline
#4 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 3:28 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
Going home for 2 weeks? He is obviously taking leave. Leave is the military word for vacation. When you go on leave, you have to pay the cost. He could possibly get space on a military transport. That depends on space availability though. It's not reliable. Soooo yeah, he has to pay his airfare. Home and back. It's not an atrocity. Not even close. Hell, it's not even wrong.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#5 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 3:47 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,516
Even if you take a transport(which I don't recommend, unless you like to be re-routed and bumped off a plane by a Col.'s daughter!)you have to show that you have a ticket there and back.

That's how I got to see the Azores for a week and the fabulous country of Greenland for 3 days! If you get bumped...its on YOU to make it back to your unit otherwise...AWOL!
usahog Offline
#6 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 4:47 AM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=FL_rest_092603
Iraq Soldiers To Get Brief R&R
Associated Press
September 26, 2003
The government pays for the flights to Germany and Baltimore. Troops continuing on from there to their homes or other places will cover that expense.

The new rest and relaxation leaves announced Thursday will mean offers of 15-day vacations, some with paid transportation, for every soldier, sailor, airman or Marine staying in region for a year, said Marine Maj. Pete Mitchell, a Central Command spokesman.

I'm not sure if this really applies to Guard and Reserve components... which fall under different guidlines then Regular active duty troops... but I'll find my answer!!!

Hog
JonR Offline
#7 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 7:40 AM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
Ho hum more Maven crapola "yawn", going to take a nap now. JonR
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#8 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 8:29 AM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
jonR

don't shoot the messenger.

i always got military hops when i went anyplace in the air force.
usahog Offline
#9 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 8:43 AM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
Rick... thats because when you were in.. the Cold War had just started and the Berlin Airlift just ended... and there were Military Airlift hops available around the country... Now with the Activity of the War on Terror Most Hops would be in the region of the Middle East!!!!! or in conjunction there of....

Going my Way????

Hog
Gb Offline
#10 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 8:52 AM EST
Joined: 03-20-2003
Posts: 260
I know that while someone is deployed overseas, military hops were available all over the place, but if you took one to the states, you were responsible for any travel expenses from where it dropped you off. Basically, you could bound all over Europe, but couldn't get hops inside the US. That was my understanding.

As for troops having to pay for their own travel while on leave, absolutely they should have to pay that!
HockeyDad Offline
#11 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 8:54 AM EST
Joined: 09-20-2000
Posts: 46,164
I saw something about this also. The military is picking up the cost for civilian charters out of Kuwait to Germany and Baltimore. The soldier has to cover any further airfare. Civilian charters are to be added to Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
xrundog Offline
#12 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 10:27 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
The tone of the piece also makes it sound as if the soldier has endured great hardship against his will. Rangel didn't get the draft going while I was looking the other way, did he?
Gb Offline
#13 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 11:44 AM EST
Joined: 03-20-2003
Posts: 260
The fact that they are picking up the cost to get them back to the states is very generous.
xibbumbero Offline
#14 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 12:08 PM EST
Joined: 01-25-2002
Posts: 12,535
Dubya's gotta pay for the war somehow. X
mrsanmrfox Offline
#15 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 12:45 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2003
Posts: 133
Its always been that way, what people dont understand is that the story is being falaciously told. When the service man or woman come home from Iraq they go back to their home base (Were ever they are stationed at the time they left). From there they must pay to go home to see the folks if that may be in another state. It has always been that way whether we like it or not. Nothings changed since I was in.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#16 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 1:10 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
mrsanmrfox

not only are you correct, but i apologise for doubting your use af the word "falaciously".

i am humbled by the word and you will forever be my hero.

i am not being sarcastic, snide, or somether fancy word i can't think of at the moment.
Gene363 Online
#17 Posted: Wed, Oct 1 2003, 1:47 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,850
Yeah, I have always say, “Why use obfuscatory words when the diminutive will suffice.”
usahog Offline
#18 Posted: Tue, Oct 7 2003, 3:13 PM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
UpDate!!!!

Senate OKs Soldier Travel Reimbursement

http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=FL_travel_100303

WASHINGTON - The Senate passed legislation Thursday to pay the full travel expenses of soldiers on temporary leave.
The amendment would amend current Defense Department policy, which is to pay the soldiers' travel costs to a designated spot in Europe or the United States, but leave it up to soldiers to make their way home from there.

For instance, the government paid for flights last month to Germany and Baltimore for the first wave of U.S. soliders sent on a two-week home leave from Iraq. Troops had to cover their own expense the rest of the way, whether they were continuing on to their hometowns or other destinations.

"This amendment is an important victory for our troops," said Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who sponsored the legislation with fellow Minnesota Sen. Mark Dayton, a Democrat. "Our nation owes it to the brave servicemen and women overseas to bring them home during times of leave. "

The amendment, if passed by the House and signed into law, would cost just under $100 million. The two senators say it would come out of President Bush's $87 billion Iraq-Afghanistan bill.

"In a time when our troops are living in extremely difficult conditions and serving much longer terms of service than originally thought, the least we can do is pay for their ticket home to see their loved ones," Dayton said.

Enjoy!!!!
Hog
penzt8 Offline
#19 Posted: Wed, Oct 8 2003, 5:33 AM EST
Joined: 06-05-2000
Posts: 1,771
I think it's unfotunate that all of this gets turned into a political/patriotic debate. Ever since this war started certain groups have pushed for increased hazardous duty pay, family separation allowance, life insurance and now this. The fact is everyone who's in the military is a volunteer and should have known the risks when they signed up. Why should the rules get changed just because we're now involved in a war.

It happens because everyone gets emotional about it and it gets on TV. If you vote against these benefits you look like an ass. The sad thing is that when this war is over, these brave men and women will go back to their previous pay that is barely enough for many of them to live on.

So in the short run the politician look good but if they really cared they'd fix military pay, then these heat of the moment displays wouldn't need to be made.
usahog Offline
#20 Posted: Wed, Oct 8 2003, 12:08 PM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
Very True Indeed Penzt... good to see ya back btw..

"Threadjack ON"
hows the Water in your area?? how bad did you get hit??

ohhh and I got some picks of Ashton I'll get them developed and posted and then give an update on Him...

I think you gave me a Terrorist in Discise though LMAO!!!! he's got Bulldog in him for sure... more Bull Headed then my Red Headed Wife LMAO!!!!!!
it's fun to watch those two bump heads though as long as he's not chewed up something costly LoL

Hog

"Threadjack OFF"
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top