4 ms·

They can make all the arguments they want about what "good" this money does. But all I see is its taking people who might be interested in leaving the military

They can make all the arguments they want about what "good" this money does. But all I see is its taking people who might be interested in leaving the military after 4 years, and sucking them back in due to debt, or not earning as much money as they thought they could. Its a underhanded forced recruitment tool.

the_snooze 1y ago
It really shows how rotten and cynical the "leadership" has become. To take a cue from Band of Brothers, "never put yourself in a situation where you can take from these men." https://youtu.be/AyLHIobW0HQ https://youtu.be/AyLHIobW0HQ
- reactordev 1y ago
  The two class system of the military broke that rule during Vietnam… Morals only apply to enlisted men. And only then if commanded to have them. Officers are given way more leeway and afforded more luxury.
  - indymike 1y ago
    When I was in the Navy, the two-class system needed to go. It led to suboptimal leadership and the departure of many of the best people from the service.
_mlbt 1y ago
I really don’t believe that’s the motivation here. Bad credit is one of the most common causes of losing your security clearance and failing to pay your debts can result in disciplinary actions. The military has no issues throwing money at retention when they need to. I do honestly believe it is just a misguided attempt to fund Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.
- westpfelia 1y ago
  Well in the case of the person in the article by "funding morale, welfare, and recreation" the military lost an officer. Not something cheap considering the wild amount of money that gets pumped in to training. He lost his family/friends, nearly his life, and financially ruined. But hey at least the VA was able to find a old dusty pamphlet a few years later.
  - le-mark 1y ago
    > the military lost an officer. Not something cheap considering the wild amount of money that gets pumped in to training. This is uninformed. The US military is in the business of weeding out officers (and enlisted) via up or out policies. If you don’t get promoted within a certain number of years you’re out.
snarf21 1y ago
There is part of this that is about a lack of financial education in our country. The interesting thing is that if you give a lot of disposal income to young people without a lot of life responsibilities, they will spend it like water. I know lots and lots of soldiers who come back from being deployed and promptly spend all their bonuses on a new truck, a new motorcycle and a new boat. 6 months later, that money is all gone and all of a sudden they can barely afford the payments and start selling things off at a huge loss.
- _mlbt 1y ago
  To the military's credit, at least in the Army, financial literacy is now part of the mandatory initial entry training that Soldiers are required to go through. There is also another round of basic financial literacy classes that are required prior to exit from the military.

the_snooze 1y ago

It really shows how rotten and cynical the "leadership" has become. To take a cue from Band of Brothers, "never put yourself in a situation where you can take from these men." https://youtu.be/AyLHIobW0HQ https://youtu.be/AyLHIobW0HQ

reactordev 1y ago
The two class system of the military broke that rule during Vietnam… Morals only apply to enlisted men. And only then if commanded to have them. Officers are given way more leeway and afforded more luxury.
- indymike 1y ago
  When I was in the Navy, the two-class system needed to go. It led to suboptimal leadership and the departure of many of the best people from the service.

_mlbt 1y ago

I really don’t believe that’s the motivation here. Bad credit is one of the most common causes of losing your security clearance and failing to pay your debts can result in disciplinary actions. The military has no issues throwing money at retention when they need to. I do honestly believe it is just a misguided attempt to fund Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

westpfelia 1y ago
Well in the case of the person in the article by "funding morale, welfare, and recreation" the military lost an officer. Not something cheap considering the wild amount of money that gets pumped in to training. He lost his family/friends, nearly his life, and financially ruined. But hey at least the VA was able to find a old dusty pamphlet a few years later.
- le-mark 1y ago
  > the military lost an officer. Not something cheap considering the wild amount of money that gets pumped in to training. This is uninformed. The US military is in the business of weeding out officers (and enlisted) via up or out policies. If you don’t get promoted within a certain number of years you’re out.

snarf21 1y ago

There is part of this that is about a lack of financial education in our country. The interesting thing is that if you give a lot of disposal income to young people without a lot of life responsibilities, they will spend it like water. I know lots and lots of soldiers who come back from being deployed and promptly spend all their bonuses on a new truck, a new motorcycle and a new boat. 6 months later, that money is all gone and all of a sudden they can barely afford the payments and start selling things off at a huge loss.

_mlbt 1y ago
To the military's credit, at least in the Army, financial literacy is now part of the mandatory initial entry training that Soldiers are required to go through. There is also another round of basic financial literacy classes that are required prior to exit from the military.