US Armed Forces = Union-style Meritocracy?

[Bob Macadoo]

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/bowe-bergdahl-released/bowe-bergdahl-loses-automatic-promotion-staff-sergeant-n123896

Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban for five years before he was released to U.S. forces in exchange for five Taliban commanders, was a Private First Class when he went missing in 2009. He was automatically promoted twice while in captivity. He was promoted to the rank of specialist in June 2010 and then sergeant in June 2011.

So Bergdahl could lead a squad into battle for just being (ie. Not earning it IMO) a PONEW? (New Term: Prisoner of Never Ending War) Sounds like one of the signs of a slothly union....promotion without merit....ughh. Now Bergdahl is also agreeing he didn't earn it. Who would've though the #1 representation of the USA is just a big rich union.

I haven't a problem him going up the payscale, but title should mean something in the military at least.....he should still be a PFC, doing those duties if he was ever put back into duty.

Edited June 8, 2014 by Bob Macadoo

[monty16]

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/bowe-bergdahl-released/bowe-bergdahl-loses-automatic-promotion-staff-sergeant-n123896

So Bergdahl could lead a squad into battle for just being (ie. Not earning it IMO) a PONEW? (New Term: Prisoner of Never Ending War) Sounds like one of the signs of a slothly union....promotion without merit....ughh. Now Bergdahl is also agreeing he didn't earn it. Who would've though the #1 representation of the USA is just a big rich union.

I haven't a problem him going up the payscale, but title should mean something in the military at least.....he should still be a PFC, doing those duties if he was ever put back into duty.

It's probably got a lot to do with the quality of people their miiitary can attract. It would be the kind of person who doesn't stop and consider what he will be 'fighting' for but instead think it has something to do with protecting their country. We now know that's not the case. Bergdahl was as good as they get but they miscalculated and didn't think he was so good as to have a conscience on what he was 'really' doing.

So far they don't face that kind of threat very often when opposing Russia's actions. They are raised from the cradle to think of Russia as the evil empire that is coming soon. Very soon!

Few escape that conditioning of their psyches.

Edited June 8, 2014 by monty16

[Shady]

It's probably got a lot to do with the quality of people their miiitary can attract. It would be the kind of person who doesn't stop and consider what he will be 'fighting' for but instead think it has something to do with protecting their country. We now know that's not the case. Bergdahl was as good as they get but they miscalculated and didn't think he was so good as to have a conscience on what he was 'really' doing.

So far they don't face that kind of threat very often when opposing Russia's actions. They are raised from the cradle to think of Russia as the evil empire that is coming soon. Very soon!

Few escape that conditioning of their psyches.

Complete nonsense.

[monty16]

Complete nonsense.

Not much of a rebuttal Shady. Sound more like a denial withut any substance. The facts on Bergdahl speak loudly and you've failed to address them. Could it be that it's widespread and they are joining up for a job and not considering that they have to do the devil's work for the money?

Give us your best and keep in mind that this isn't about me o.k?

[Shady]

Not much of a rebuttal Shady. Sound more like a denial withut any substance. The facts on Bergdahl speak loudly and you've failed to address them. Could it be that it's widespread and they are joining up for a job and not considering that they have to do the devil's work for the money?

Give us your best and keep in mind that this isn't about me o.k?

Unfortunately your posts are without substance. Your opinions, in which you're entitled to, aren't facts.

[monty16]

Unfortunately your posts are without substance. Your opinions, in which you're entitled to, aren't facts.

You must mean 'to which I'm entitled'? In any case I'm not hearing any kind of rebuttal and so will move on and not waste my time.

[Signals.Cpl]

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/bowe-bergdahl-released/bowe-bergdahl-loses-automatic-promotion-staff-sergeant-n123896

So Bergdahl could lead a squad into battle for just being (ie. Not earning it IMO) a PONEW? (New Term: Prisoner of Never Ending War) Sounds like one of the signs of a slothly union....promotion without merit....ughh. Now Bergdahl is also agreeing he didn't earn it. Who would've though the #1 representation of the USA is just a big rich union.

I haven't a problem him going up the payscale, but title should mean something in the military at least.....he should still be a PFC, doing those duties if he was ever put back into duty.

It is the US governments policy that those who are POW's or MIA would continue to receive benefits while in captivity:

http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Library/Federal_Benefits_Page/POW__MIA_Entitlements.html?serv=147

[Bob Macadoo]

Don't hijack and drift this thread. The response is unrelated, emotional posting that you flood all over this forum and the rebuttal is no different. Raise a "US Sucks/Rocks" thread if you want.

[monty16]

Don't hijack and drift this thread. The response is unrelated, emotional posting that you flood all over this forum and the rebuttal is no different. Raise a "US Sucks/Rocks" thread if you want.

Right on Bob! I was thinking the same thing.

[Bob Macadoo]

It is the US governments policy that those who are POW's or MIA would continue to receive benefits while in captivity:

Monetary benefit fine.....giving him leadership capability.....sounds like a union, or worse than as you don't become shift lead just for years of service.

[monty16]

Here's the predicted US damage control that will make Bergdahl into another John McCane style songbird/turned hero.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/08/bergdahl-torture-taliban_n_5468218.html

Too late though because the Taliban video was meant to show him healthy and walking on his own in a spritely manner!

Chances are very likely that he's a man who saw the light about the evil he was doing and he walked away from it. The US will never let that kind of image stand because it shows some truth that compromised their cause.

Senator Bergdahl? 2020 or before?

[Signals.Cpl]

Monetary benefit fine.....giving him leadership capability.....sounds like a union, or worse than as you don't become shift lead just for years of service.

I dont think the ranks are full ranks, meaning that they would be the Equivalent of acting/lacking where he cant exercise authority in the rank until he meets the prerequisites if he ever does. I suspect that the ranks carry leadership courses and such so if he were to stay in the army he will have to most likely complete them before he is anything but acting/lacking in the rank.

[bush_cheney2004]

Monetary benefit fine.....giving him leadership capability.....sounds like a union, or worse than as you don't become shift lead just for years of service.

Couple of points on this:

1) As in Canada, labour unions are illegal for U.S. military personnel....this does not apply to other federal employees or contractors:

(l) It shall be unlawful for a member of the armed forces, knowing of the activities or objectives of a particular military labor organization—

(1) to join or maintain membership in such organization; or

(2) to attempt to enroll any other member of the armed forces as a member of such organization.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/976

2) Promotions and pay are based in part on time in service / grade. Other factors apply for enlisted members and officers.

http://milpaychart.com/2014-military-pay-chart/

3) American POWs have long enjoyed the benefits of promotion and pay if only for the sake of dependents and declared beneficiaries.

4) Leadership positions for company and field grade commands/units are based on rank unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

Edited June 8, 2014 by bush_cheney2004

[monty16]

Reminds me of when the two decided to go for a walk during the Kosovo war. They were shown with a Serb who gave them both a black eye or two and then sent them back to their mommies. They became American war heros too!

edit: Or was it three?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/309554.stm

Edited June 8, 2014 by monty16

[Signals.Cpl]

Reminds me of when the two decided to go for a walk during the Kosovo war. They were shown with a Serb who gave them both a black eye or two and then sent them back to their mommies. They became American war heros too!

edit: Or was it three?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/309554.stm

Did your wife/husband leave you for an American?

[Big Guy]

Do repatriated POW's receive back pay to the date of their last payment or have the dependents been getting his money all along?

If he is proven to be a deserter, will he have to repay the government?

Is there any "special hazard" or other pay that a repatriated POW is entitled to?

[bush_cheney2004]

The U.S. will provide back pay, combat pay (hostile fire), subsistence pay, housing allowance, etc. for Sgt. Bergdahl if he is classified as “captive, missing or missing in action” (i.e. POW). He would forfeit such pay and veterans benefits if found to be a deserter or AWOL.

I do not know Sgt. Bergdahl's military dependent status, but would assume that his parents are the designated life insurance beneficiaries absent dependents.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/06/04/bergdahl-could-receive-300k-in-retroactive-pay.html

[monty16]

Did your wife/husband leave you for an American?

This isn't about me. Thanks again for respecting the rules of the forum!

[Signals.Cpl]

This isn't about me. Thanks again for respecting the rules of the forum!

Oh but it is, you don't seem to have any other topic to discuss than the US. You are a one trick pony and even that trick is so incoherent that its actually sad... not even funny. You hijack every thread for your rants and I feel rather sad for your lack of abilities to discuss anything other than how evil the US is and how angelic the Taliban are.

[Argus]

3) American POWs have long enjoyed the benefits of promotion and pay if only for the sake of dependents and declared beneficiaries.

4) Leadership positions for company and field grade commands/units are based on rank unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

Am I the only one who sees obvious problems with this? If time served automatically grants promotion then you have complete morons who can barely tie their shoes making it up into the ranks of senior NCOs, and leading, or trying to lead, troops who will quickly come to realize just how much of a failure they are.

A stupid private will usually only get himself killed. A stupid sergeant can get a lot of people killed.

[Argus]

So far they don't face that kind of threat very often when opposing Russia's actions. They are raised from the cradle to think of Russia as the evil empire that is coming soon. Very soon!

Few escape that conditioning of their psyches.

I know others will read this and raise eyebrows at the amusing irony - a guy who praises murdering dictators complaining about how mindless American soldiers are - but I salute your courage, sir!

It isn't every man who can stand in the face of universal scorn and condemnation and proclaim how much he admires murderers while condemning Americans for killing others, but you do it quite well!

[bush_cheney2004]

Am I the only one who sees obvious problems with this? If time served automatically grants promotion then you have complete morons who can barely tie their shoes making it up into the ranks of senior NCOs, and leading, or trying to lead, troops who will quickly come to realize just how much of a failure they are.

It's not that simple....enlisted service members have to complete advancement exams for their rating or specialized MOS. Time in service and time in grade can actually work against them if they do not advance "normally". They also have to complete and pass advanced training courses at technical and leadership schools. Any NJP or other disciplinary actions in their record will also hold them back.

NCOs have their own pecking order within commands based on grade and time-in-service. These "lifers" are the heart and soul of the U.S. military, without which, could not function as an all volunteer force.

[monty16]

Oh but it is, you don't seem to have any other topic to discuss than the US. You are a one trick pony and even that trick is so incoherent that its actually sad... not even funny. You hijack every thread for your rants and I feel rather sad for your lack of abilities to discuss anything other than how evil the US is and how angelic the Taliban are.

And once again, this isn't about me. I won't report it this time but please cease and desist from the personal attacks.

[monty16]

I know others will read this and raise eyebrows at the amusing irony - a guy who praises murdering dictators complaining about how mindless American soldiers are - but I salute your courage, sir!

It isn't every man who can stand in the face of universal scorn and condemnation and proclaim how much he admires murderers while condemning Americans for killing others, but you do it quite well!

Thank you, it takes courage to go against your country's propaganda efforts. I welcome the scorn as I understand that the lowlife who hand it out are those that have been propagandized into not being able to understand anything else.Even Nazi Germany had it's few who weren't afraid to tell the truth when the tide was rushing in against good and truth.

[Signals.Cpl]

And once again, this isn't about me. I won't report it this time but please cease and desist from the personal attacks.

No, this is not a personal attack, I just think you need new repertoire. I didn't mean to offend your sensibilities, I was just pointing out that the song and dance gets boring since its always the same and it seems irrelevant to you how relevant your repertoire is to the topic on hand...