There is no one in public service - from the President down - who deserves to get better treatment than those who put their lives on the line for the country. No one.
if it were up to me;
20+ years service would get free dental and medical for life (on base, at military facilities)
for self and family (children until 18 years of age)
but pensions would not kick in until 65
30+ years would be allowed pensions after 50
1. So it appears that military members and their families are not supposed to have a follow on career any farther than they can drive to a military base.
2. 20-years active duty, transfered to the fleet reserve in 1998, annual retirement? $17,000 a year.
I started a new career at the age of 39, that new career started at significantly lower then my peers (by age) because - you got it - I didn't have 20-years in the field. After earning both a Bachelors and a Masters degree on off duty time. The $17K just brought me back to par with professionals in the same field at the same age.
When people want to bitch and moan about military retirements they always seem to latch on to figures for Captains (Colonels) and Generals - they don't realize that the vast majority of military retirees are enlisted pukes.
>>>>
you leaped to an erroneous conclusion
i EXPECT them to have a follow up career after service
most servicemen are very highly trained and have great experience
i have worked with many ex-servicemen who were trained in the military and, after their service was over, they joined the workforce.
most of them were great guys and very good at their jobs
so
i maintain my position
free medical and dental for life for themselves, their wives and their kids until 18
and pensions kick in after 65 for 20+ and after 50 for 30+ years in the service
all things considered i think this is pretty good;
they join the service
get the best training and education
free medical and dental
when they leave the service they get first crack at jobs (companies favor ex-military)
they continue to get free medical and dental (under my policy)
i would be happy to give them 4 more years of college for any future career plans
and then they get 2 pensions when they retire
sounds pretty good to me