I was looking for info on Military salaries

And ran into this: http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/apr2003/muse-a16.shtml

"The goal of the US military occupation is to impose colonial-style domination over Iraq and seize control of its vast oil resources. It serves the interests of American imperialism to humiliate Iraq and condition its population to submit to the United States and the stooge regime to be established in Baghdad. Attacking the cultural resources that connect the Iraqi people to 7,000 years of history is part of the process of systematically destroying their national identity.

The tragic result is that treasures that survived even the Mongol sack of the city in the 13th century could not withstand the impact of 21st century technology and imperialist barbarism. Bush, Rumsfeld and company personify the new barbarians: a “leader” who is himself only semi-literate and wallows in religious backwardness; an administration populated by former corporate CEOs for whom an artifact of ancient Sumer is of more interest as a tax shelter than as a key to the historical and cultural development of mankind."


I'm no commie but I was still outraged. Plus, it was an interesting side road in my search. I love the internet!

What I am looking for is info on salary increases for military personnel from 1980-2000. I'll keep looking. If you find a site let me know.

A few months back I looked up death benefits for soldiers killed in Iraq in a response to a conversation. Many people have a really mistaken impression of the income and death benefits received by our people in the military.

I think one of these links has some pages based on military pay incrases over the past few years. Also included is the link to an Army Times scathing editorial about how Republicans really show their gratitude for service people.

--------------------------------

Death benefit for a member of the Armed Forces killed while on active duty is $6000. A family member may also be eligible for a lump sum social security death benefit of $255. Suriviving spouses will get a pension of 55% pay ONLY IF the dead serviceman has been in the military at least 20 years and was already eligible for retirement. The pension benefit to the surviving spouse is reduced to 35% once he/she reaches age 62. Servicemen may also purchase life insurance through the government for up to $200,000 at a discounted monthly rate of 90 cents per $10,000 of coverage. See link...

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/casualty/blgratuity.htm
http://www.cpms.osd.mil/icuc/attacks/Death%20Benefits%20Chart.htm

http://www.armytimes.com/print.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-1954515.php

:toast:

If you are in the service (AD or Reserve) you pretty much have to have SGLI. It is up to the individual to pick the amount of coverage that they want.

As far as benefits to surviving spouses and children: There is the Social Security Survivors benefit that all children that loose a parent are eligible for. The amount is dependent on gross earnings just like your SS would be when you reach 65.

The VA offers tuition assistance and money to the surviving spouse. The total copensation that is available is documented in the Decedent affairs manuals of each service.

The 6K you refer to is the initial death benefit that must be presented to the surviving spouse or parenteral unit within I believe 72 hours of notification.

The surviving spouse is eligible for the 55% retirement IF both the service member and spouse sign up for it. THere is a portion of the service members retainer pay with-held each month to fund this. (essentially a insurance policy).

As a person that retired from the mility and one that lost a spouse, the military is much better at providing benefits then my wifes employeer was.

The person I was talking with (a Republican) said something like "Oh, yeah, I'm sure the person's family is taken care of for the rest of their lives."

I looked up the figures as best as I could because I knew the govt wasn't that generous. My cousin's husband was killed in Viet Nam and I know she had a real hard time taking care of her two little ones.

I kinda' wish I knew more about your mention of:

"The VA offers tuition assistance and money to the surviving spouse. "

I don't think we can do it enough for the families of the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Any war ought to be damn well worth it.

Sorry to reply to myself but: http://www.davidicke.net/emagazine/vol12/articles/military-wages.html

pretty cool, eh?