This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Why is Congress willing to cut military and retirees' pay and benefits?
Please have your reporters investigate why our elected officials will not support military personnel. They only seem to support the troops (and sailors) during times of war. How much is my life worth? How about an arm or leg? We are deployed and away from our families half the time (or more). When we are home, we average 50 to 60 hour work weeks.
Our government will hire "mercenaries" to supplement our force at such a high rate that many of the best will get out to work for these companies. Why can't the government maintain an adequate stable force. If we had ended up in combat against Russia would we have the forces necessary. What about China's posturing? And we are about to reduce the size of our carrier force.
I would think that supporting the military would take precedence over "not raising taxes." The top income tax rates have been reduced over the years. How do they justify not providing for the military both during service and after retirement?
I work enough hours that would have been considered "overtime" that if the money not paid had been invested it would more than cover my retirement pay.
Please investigate and do a story.
John Love
Salt Lake City