Comments on: Drake moves to close military-civilian pay gap; participates in American Families Agenda

By: Isaiah

Isaiah — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:34:03 +0000

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By: Darrell -- Chesapeake

Darrell -- Chesapeake — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:23:11 +0000

ET2 Squid decides to get out after his six years. If he stays in he gets 2404 base or 15 bucks an hour. He takes a job from a real ad at VEC, fixing LCAC’s at 15 to 17 bucks an hour minus health care and other ‘benefits’. The feds BLS website says the know nothing entry level pay for the same job is $18.21. Squid has six years of experience and gets less. And I didn’t include BAS/BAH or special pays into his Navy salary. That’s a typical result for this area.

By: Terri K

Terri K — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:49:20 +0000

The best solution for “helping” families and the military is to get the far reaching tentacles of the federal government out of our pocketbooks and out of our lives.

We don’t need any more stinkin’ legislation!!

As JR said: Once again, it’s the government…and what’s the Bearing Drift motto? “Conservative. Because government will ‘f’ it up.”

AMEN!

By: Vivian J. Paige

Vivian J. Paige — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:06:00 +0000

I suspect the 3.4% difference is in actual salary, but does not include benefits, particularly the housing allowance. That’s why when folks get out and go to work in the civilian sector, particularly in Hampton Roads, they feel as if they are making less money, because what they bring home is less.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:12:10 +0000

Well, Stephen, perhaps you have a job that is not as in demand in the civilian world. However, there are heck of a lot of jobs in the military that are below the average, which probably makes the gap what it is. The problem with the base military pay scale is that it applies across all jobs and not just the ones that may be lagging or exceeding the civilian gap.

Once again, it’s the government…and what’s the Bearing Drift motto? “Conservative. Because government will ‘f’ it up.”

By: Stephen Gunter

Stephen Gunter — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:52:15 +0000

As a person who did 9 years in the navy and got out only two years ago, I made a whole lot more money while I was in. This idea of closing the pay gap to me is just ridiculous.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:55:04 +0000

Yes, Darrell, I am sure you have all the information that the full House Armed Services Committee has — you know, the one that approved the amendment.

By: Darrell -- Chesapeake

Darrell -- Chesapeake — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:08:42 +0000

“Currently, a servicemember makes 3.4% less than a civilian in the private sector with a similar skill set.”

I don’t know which database Thelma got her numbers from, but down here in Tidewater the only way a civilian makes more than an equivalent shorebased sailor is if they are retired military and include their retirement check into the comparison. I’ve worked in many different locations around the world and have never seen the lowball salary game like they play around here. I’m one of the lucky ones, with a saved pay provision from a past assignment.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:41:41 +0000

Great question, Ragnar…I’ll try to find out.

By: ragnar

ragnar — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:35:15 +0000

Jim – kudos to Drake, she’s on the right path. (Even if she does sound a little like a Democrat…

Do you know if she is supporting the Sen. Webb sponsored update to the GI Bill?

By: Chief Judge Joseph Story (Ret.)

Chief Judge Joseph Story (Ret.) — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:54:55 +0000

Where pray tell might I find the authority for solutions 2, 3, & 4 in the federal constitution?