Veterans Day

 

This week brings about one of our nation's most appropriate holidays, Veterans Day.  The history of this holiday began after the cease of hostilities of World War I, which came about at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.  November of 1918 is considered the beginning of what became Armistice Day, later changed to Veterans Day.  

Veterans Day is a day to honor those that have served our nation in one of the most meaningful ways, signing a blank check for an amount up to, and sometimes including, their very lives.  

To veterans everywhere, thank you, and well done. 

Military Retirement Is Not What it Used to Be

I am once again kicking the dust off of this little blog. I doubt that it gets much readership, but perhaps someone will get a kick out of my occasional ramblings. 

I recently retired from the United States Marine Corps, after 30 years of service. It was a good run, but I am tired, and it is time to make room for the younger guys (and gals). I won't lament on the changes to the Corps' policies and practices, as that is an entirely different discussion. I will, however, take a moment to point out the horrid decline in the military's retirement benefits. 

One of the biggest "carrots" that has been dangled in front of military service members for many years is the benefit package of retirement from our armed forces. A substantial pension for life, with cost of living increases, commissary and base exchange privileges for life, and "free" healthcare for life. Sounds great, doesn't it? Unfortunately, our elected tormentors have been steadily chipping away at our military retirement benefits. I posted about this a few years back (Click here to read that post). 

Today, the pension that many of us counted on is no more. There is now a "blended" retirement system, much like a 401k, which relies on the financial discipline of the service member. How financially savvy and disciplined were you as a teenager? How much of your income would you have given up as a young adult? This is a travesty. 

Health insurance is expensive. One of the substantial draws of a career in the military is (was) the healthcare. Do your 20+ years, and you could count on paid healthcare for life--Not anymore. The coverage for retirees now has a monthly premium, with co-pays for everything. Granted, it is less expensive than most civilian coverage plans, but there is still substantial costs for retired military members. 

"But John, this saves the government money, that they can use to 'help' more people."   That is the pipe dream of starry-eyed liberal dolts.  Looking at this situation from a logical standpoint, the government now spends less money on military retirees, but at what cost in the long run?  I pointed out in my original post that retirement benefits improve retention of quality service members.  Erode those benefits and retention will suffer.  This is not based on my emotions, but simple and glaring truth.  

To the slimy crooks that infest our nation's mechanisms of government: Shame on you.  To the hopeless idiots that voted for them: Shame on you as well.  Hey, at least we don't have to hide in fear of mean tweets.