By the way this is a ridiculous thread. There was a time people went active duty to serve, and by posting payscale.com is has proves that individuals on this site are more interested in money than service. I realize that this post will most likely get me banned, however it is apparent from posts that people of lost sight of military service.
By the way I was active duty and currently in the reserves so save your speeches.
I don't think that should get you banned.
If it makes you feel any better, i'm guessing in 5 years a growing portion will find their way back to the private sector, but not by choice. I'm guessing when that happens, the lack of $30K in tax free money is going to sting (I know it did for my first pay check last year).
I don't generally recommend KPers suggesting everyone else is in it for the money (I always thought that's all KP was about), but I also wouldn't say, in some instances, that isn't true.
I'm also not a huge fan when members of the military (especially officers) play the pity party argument. The benefits of active duty service are replicated NO WHERE in the U.S. (maybe on Indian reservations...)
Free healthcare, whenever you'd like? Free prescriptions? Tens of thousands of dollars in tax-free pay? Retirement at 20? The ability to STILL WORK in the federal government after you've retired from federal service?
Please, save me the tears. Yes service is hard on the family, and yes, there is some danger to what members of the military do. But We should not have a debate at one moment about how profitable it can be, and then say "poor poor me".
Just my opinion.
