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Originally posted by turbo6bar
Does anyone know if the US government provides compensation for the immediate family?
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There is an automatic servicemans group life insurance. From memory, the value is not very high, but more coverage is available. I seem to remember that there was other survivor benefits as well, but I didn't have dependants at the time, so I didn't pay much attention.
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In fact, I would argue that some are in the military for the education only. Then, when a war starts, they scream bloody murder, "When I joined the Army, I never thought I'd have to fight in a war."
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I haven't heard of any of this happening this time around, but this was always something that really irritated me in 1990/91. Some tool whining "I joined the Army for school money, not to fight a war!" It really makes me wonder, what army did they think they were joining? The Salvation Army? Did they not notice the pictures of the tanks and guys with guns in the recruiters office?
I think it should be pretty common knowledge by this point that when you join the
ARMED FORCES that the possibility exists that you may die a violent death. If someone is too stupid to realize that, they probably should be locked up somewhere for their own safety.
Another thing that chafes my hide, born-again "consciencous objectors." I don't mean people who are against war under any circumstances, that is a moral decision that is up to the individual, and if you believe that way, that is your right and I respect that. However, what I do have a problem with is a guy who has been in the military for a few years, and has his school money locked up, is milking the benefits for all they are worth, only to decide he is against war the moment the possiblilty arises that he may actually have to go fight.
Reality check: When you enlist in the military, there is a ton of paperwork that is filled out. One of those documents has a list of yes/no statements that you must mark and initial. One of those statements is along the lines of "I have no beliefs that would preclude me taking up arms for the government." If you do have such a belief, that is fine, but you can't be in the military. It is an all-volunteer force. It is not like people are being drafted. You go sign up, you get the benefits of the military, but you get everything that goes with it, crappy pay, separation from family, and the off chance you could get killed.
Or worse, a 3 year assignment to Adak.
Tom