Originally Posted by
ChinookDriver47
Indeed, plus the airlines don't have the "LUXURY" of trying to land a fully loaded airframe at night, under NVG's, in the desert in a total brown out situation with your FE talking you onto target. Believe me, I would rather take the worst line or reserve duty out there than have my airframe shot at by small arms and RPG's.
When was the last time a RJ got shot at and limped home barely above Single engine safe speed? Oh that's right...IT DIDN'T.
We earn every tiny *******ING dollar that is paid to us. The fact that most of us make it to 20 years is a blessing.
I would galdly trade every "dime" that i saved on deployment to have a warm bed with running water and bathroom like the piece of Sh!t Ramada's that I have heard complained about rather than the fart sack, chem suit for a pillow and cold muddh showers that got to use twice a week at the LUXURIOUS Forward operating base that I had the pleasure of being stationed at.
Come see what conditions are like for the military on a deployment for ONE DAY, then see which you would rather have.
Skyhigh, I respect your opinion and wisdom, but on this case, Sir, I think you have your wires crossed.
ChinookDriver47,
I just wanted to say thanks for you service. It is appreciated, deeply.
I am a little older than most here, I think. I have chosen not to serve, in the military, although I have been very close to joining, a few times in my life. I took to heart things I heard from guys like yourself, and weighed the pros and cons. Ultimately, I looked at it like any other job, what are the risks/benefits/payoffs. I whole heartedly agree, that no one in a combat zone is being adequtely compensated (is there such a thing?)
Sometimes, I feel guilty for not having done my part for my country, but then agian, many, many, people before me, paid the ulimate price, so that I might live in a country where I have the choice. If my country calls me, I will be there. In the meantime, I am bit**ing and moaning about how tough I have it, like the rest of the civilians, here. But I know that we are comparing apples to watermelons.
I think many here forget what our troops are going through, because the media would rather talk about which celeb is in rehab this week, than about combat deaths. (stories, not just numbers) No one knows how to report actual news anymore. I think it is slowly killing our society.
Thanks again, and stay safe.