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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| In response to the administrations inability to balance a budget, they are looking to cut costs by getting rid of my retirement. Not even grandfathering those who are currently serving into our old system. I would get 25% instead of 50%. I and others currently serving would appreciate any and all help on this matter. Please email your congressmen and representatives. Thank you. Here is a link to the proposal: http://www.stripes.com/news/military-retirement-system-broken-board...
And here is my letter to my representatives:
Hello, my name is CW2 Jason Wade and I am currently serving the US Army stationed in Kuwait. I am appalled and feel betrayed at the idea of the new retirement system that is proposed. I enlisted in 1999 as a Private and achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. When I enlisted I was promised that if I served 20 years then I would receive 50% of my base pay as retirement along with 2.5% for each additional year along with Tricare for life. I have turned down other opportunities in my career so that I may continue to serve my country and for the ?guaranteed? retirement. Only around 17% of the force stays in to retirement anyways so the change is minuscule to the national debt. Those who serve less than 20 and complain about no retirement have no leg to stand on. They would not receive a retirement in a civilian job. They knew the deal before they volunteered. I understand we are in tough times, that is why I have not written about the lack of pay increase, or my decrease in housing allowance. However, to change my retirement plan after twelve years of service is not only illegal, but immoral and just plain wrong. If the system is to be changed, it should be for new recruits who enlist and make the career choices with that understanding. Grandfather the current troops into their old plan of which the agreed to when they enlisted. Please, do not change my retirement. My family and I have sacrificed so much for this country that for the leaders to change my retirement would feel like being betrayed and not appreciated. Our soldiers give so much, please don?t take what little we have left.
Jason L Wade
Marine Engineering Officer
LSV-6 James A. Loux
CW2, US Army
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I've stood on the Loux, and voyaged on the Besson, have a hat to prove it - thanks for your service to our great nation, CW2 Wade. Thanks for making us aware of this, I just read the article. I'll do what I can, I've been retired 12 years now and still serving our soldiers and have a special interest in the watercraft community. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| You're kidding. I've served on both and currently in Kuwait on the Loux. Getting ready to sail it across the Atlantic here soon. Not many Army watercraft folk out there or even know we exist. Small world. Thanks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | well, I need to give more detail. I'm a "ground" maintenance type, but my last two years was at Eustis, retiring in 1999. The voyage on the Besson was around the pier when they had to move it and I was onboard. Later, on their first trip to SWA I was there to wish them well and bought a hat. I then remarked that I couldn't wear it since I never sailed. The WO reminded me that I did, anytime the vessel is not moored it is underway, so I did sail, even if it was only about thousand yards. I currently work with a Reserve WC Warrant out of Morehead City. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| Just knowing we exist is more than most. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
Robins AFB, GA | I come up to my 20 years in 2015 - I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For those serving already to NOT be grandfathered out of any change to the retirement system would be a betrayal of epic proportions. My family and I have sacrificed many family events and holidays over my 17 years. I can't imagine our civilian leaders being willing to piss off so mightily the all-volunteer force. The retention ripple effect would be a tsunami. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
| Leaders should set the example when they want to reduce other peoples benefits. What kind of reduction have they taken in pay and retirement benefits? If they want to withhold increases or roll back benifits they need to set the example by taking the reduction or ellimination themselves! I have observed that most elected officials lose site of the little picture on how their decisions impact the individual.
Edited by Tazfan 2011-08-04 10:08 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| I know. I had back surgery at the age of 26, and at 30 received hearing aids for both ears. I came in Airborne Infantry, graduated Air Assault School and have my EIB. That is some of the cause. Light Infantry is not so light. I then went Prime Power, Recruiter and now a boatie. I have and will continue to give, but they need to uphold their end.
Thank you guys for your service, and let your representatives and congressman know. We need to squash this notion before it gains momentum. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Lennox, SD | First of all a big thank you for ro all those who served.
This article really pi**es me off! It is just another move by our government to take from those that deserve it and give it to those who do not deserve it. Cutting from military benefits of anyone with military service so that they can keep some other entitlement for someone that lives by handouts alone.
It is time to change the entire system in Washington! Revolution in the voting booth! If they have served more than 2 terms vote them out.
Sorry everyone for the venting on this.
I will be contacting my representatives to voice my opinion. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| Right, unemployment would remain untouched. They mentioned not paying us soldiers if there was no agreement on the debt ceiling but keeping unemployment. Does that make sense. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | 14 years for me in the Army, and as I look forward to the option of retiring in 6 years to proceed onto a more "normal" life I find all of this quite disheartening. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Done.
And thank you Prime, and all the others on the board, for your service. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| Links to find who to email:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
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Cruiser
Posts: 66
Oklahoma City | Sadly, they have been talking about this for years now. I have served in the USAF for almost 20 years now and officially become a civilian 1 Jan 2012. I seriously doubt any changes they make will not be grandfathered, as you are under contract for the 20 year retirement. They should not be able to take that away as it falls under 10 USC Chapter 371 for all branches of service. Also, for every previous change to retirement you kept what you came in under, so I wouldn't be terribly worried if you are already in. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| They are saying though this one would be different. And I looked into my contract when I enlisted and couldn't find any mention, so if legally they could change it correct? I hope not. I would feel better if I could find it in my contract. I may not be able to sue for malpractice (which is wrong too) but if I find it in my contract that should be a suit. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
Robins AFB, GA | mlockman - 2011-08-04 4:01 PM
I seriously doubt any changes they make will not be grandfathered, as you are under contract for the 20 year retirement.
+1. This is what I'm clinging to right now as well.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 66
Oklahoma City | Prime Power - 2011-08-04 4:39 PM
They are saying though this one would be different. And I looked into my contract when I enlisted and couldn't find any mention, so if legally they could change it correct? I hope not. I would feel better if I could find it in my contract. I may not be able to sue for malpractice (which is wrong too) but if I find it in my contract that should be a suit.
Who are "they"? I tend not to trust things unless I can dig up the information for myself. This way, I don't get all worked up in what ends up being nothing. If past changes to retirement are any clue, then this one, if it happens, will have the old guys grandfathered in. So sit back, go for a relaxing ride and wait till something official comes out, until then it's all rumor  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| They are military times, and other reports I read along with the genius ex marine pilot that proposed this thing. I would like to relax, and I should. I just feel that if this thing does go through and I didn't do all I can to stop it, I have less of a leg to stand on. I'll try though. |
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Need some support for the military!
