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> Federal government has limited purview of its citizens, but can more easily regulate the people in the military and interactions with them. Congress passes t

by kodah 5y ago

> Federal government has limited purview of its citizens, but can more easily regulate the people in the military and interactions with them. Congress passes these protections, the military just lobbies for them internally because they cause problems with the operations of the military. Some things I saw a lot: - A Private, PFC, or Lance Corporal who lives in the barracks (therefore has the most straight-forward pay with little extra incentives) [1] gets approved for a car loan on a used car at 20%+ APR or credit cards which revolve into 20%+ APR with caps well above their means. When they can't pay they will attempt to contact the chain of command and pressure the military into intervening. Eventually they'll settle, the car or items get returned, the Marine gets busted down, and then they go on to do the same thing all over again with the same car. - Lending services know that military are fixed income and that they are also low income, and will therefore shop predatory rates to them as a means of "refinancing". Really, it's debt consolidation because military members also have a high rate of divorce and debt. - Banks will attempt to repossess homes while military members are on deployment and cannot access internet or financial services. Also happens to reservists who are without their primary income and are deployed. (ServiceMembers Civil Relief Act) [2] Military just face some very unique situations, but a lot of it derives from the fact that we pay enlisted personnel (the greatest in number) dirt for their trade. [1]: Note, these are pre-tax: https://militarybenefits.info/2021-military-pay-charts/ https://militarybenefits.info/2021-military-pay-charts/ [2]: https://www.texasbar.com/flashdrive/materials/military_law/MilitaryLaw_Odom_Update_FinalArticle.pdf https://www.texasbar.com/flashdrive/materials/military_law/M...

RicoElectrico 5y ago
> When they can't pay they will attempt to contact the chain of command and pressure the military into intervening What logic does this follow? Like, why would I ask my employer to intervene if I have taken some loan with bad conditions?
- kodah 5y ago
  I worded that poorly, sorry. Businesses will contact the troops chain of command. The military exercises a lot influence over troops, they can bust you down or remove your security clearance. They can also push you into payment plans and reflect these situations in your performance reviews. The military, for all intents and purposes, acts as much more than just a simple employer and lending services (among other businesses and people) exploit that.
- michaelt 5y ago
  The military provides your clothes, your housing, your food, your laundry, your transport, your healthcare, and your chaplain. They can control your schedule 24 hours a day, decide who you're allowed to call or write to and what you're allowed to say, and decide what electric appliances you're allowed in your quarters. They can change your place of work to a foreign country, prevent you from resigning, and even literally have you imprisoned or executed. While in some regards the military is like an employer, in other regards it's very different.

by kodah 5y ago

RicoElectrico 5y ago

> When they can't pay they will attempt to contact the chain of command and pressure the military into intervening What logic does this follow? Like, why would I ask my employer to intervene if I have taken some loan with bad conditions?

kodah 5y ago
I worded that poorly, sorry. Businesses will contact the troops chain of command. The military exercises a lot influence over troops, they can bust you down or remove your security clearance. They can also push you into payment plans and reflect these situations in your performance reviews. The military, for all intents and purposes, acts as much more than just a simple employer and lending services (among other businesses and people) exploit that.
michaelt 5y ago
The military provides your clothes, your housing, your food, your laundry, your transport, your healthcare, and your chaplain. They can control your schedule 24 hours a day, decide who you're allowed to call or write to and what you're allowed to say, and decide what electric appliances you're allowed in your quarters. They can change your place of work to a foreign country, prevent you from resigning, and even literally have you imprisoned or executed. While in some regards the military is like an employer, in other regards it's very different.