Reply #6: hell,no..many Service Members are in [View All]

[gimama]

HEAVY credit card debt,having to pay for certain equipment,supplies, AND travel expenses. Few years ago, the Guys would get R & R last minute, Military would fly 'em "HOME" to the US of A, ONLY to 2 bases, 1 of which was Bangor, Maine. If the Guys wanted to go to THEIR HOMES & FAMILIES during their 2 wk 'break', THEY had to pay their own way. Since these were last-minute R&R's,they did NOT get any discount fares, many couldn't even get tickets, wasting DAYS, sitting in airports, on "stand-by".Many Families would have to meet their Soldier in an airport several states away, & drive them HOME, or make a nearby hotel their "HOME" for the "break".
Things may have improved, now, I sure HOPE(!) so. This is still a sore spot for me.. Not only were these situations EXTREMELY stressful, they kept the Active-Duty in hock up to their eyeballs..& at the end of enlistment, many Soldiers re-enlist, thinking the Military is their best FINANCIAL option.
"$1M per Soldier" ~NOW!~ & I bet they still end up paying way too much of their OWN 'personal' expenses. grrr! ..wow, pushed MY button, huh? ;)