I saw an active-duty soldier(regular US army, not reserve or the guard)
and his family using food stamps at local grocery.... it was a real
sad sight to see....


do you have any idea how many soldiers fighting in Iraq actually qualify for
food stamps? almost 10,000 of them.... this is just wrong.... they are
fighting for their country, yet their families need food stamps to survive?
Where's the logic in that?

if you dont want to be on welfare, dont have 8 kids.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

Gravis Wrote: "if you dont want to be on welfare, dont have 8 kids."

-----------------------

Oh come now, Gravis. What has that to do with the idea that we pay those who volunteer to defend the nation at a level that qualifies some of them for food stamps?

Yeah seriously. Go to college instead.

Gravis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> if you dont want to be on welfare, dont have 8
> kids.

i dont get how any of you all can say anythin negative about soldiers..

This phenomenon is common... military people have to show fiscal discipline like the rest of us. While heartless, Gravis is right.

They did an episode of "the west wing" about it.

Gravis is dead on. The fastest way to life-long poverty is to have a bunch of kids you can't afford, military or not.

I respect our troops, but for the most part, they are young, immature, and make terrible life and financial choices. Most would be flippin burgers back home, if they had a job at all.

We need a draft in this Country! Single guys that would do 2 years and get out. This would also help prevent costly debacles like Iraq.

Say, how is it that Costco is cheaper than the commissary anyway?

RESton Peace Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This phenomenon is common... military people have
> to show fiscal discipline like the rest of us.
> While heartless, Gravis is right.
>
> They did an episode of "the west wing" about it.


I would bet this soldier has a 50" flat screen and the premium cable package, a Hummer3 and a mcmansion in the burbs.

He apparently bit off a little more than he could chew.

The US Army provides housing, clothing and health insurance to all members. Where did he go wrong?

Sgt. Hulka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RESton Peace Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This phenomenon is common... military people
> have
> > to show fiscal discipline like the rest of us.
> > While heartless, Gravis is right.
> >
> > They did an episode of "the west wing" about
> it.
>
>
> I would bet this soldier has a 50" flat screen and
> the premium cable package, a Hummer3 and a
> mcmansion in the burbs.
>
> He apparently bit off a little more than he could
> chew.
>
> The US Army provides housing, clothing and health
> insurance to all members. Where did he go wrong?

In 2006-07 32.52% of kid at Fort Belvoir Elementary were on free and reduced priced meals. I think most or all of them live on base.

If the Army wanted to you have a family, they'd issue you one in the
Supply Room!

The guy above asks an interesting question.

Does Costco undersell the commissary/PX? Or does Costco sell stuff not available at commissary/PX?

Sgt. Hulka Wrote:
> The US Army provides housing, clothing and health
> insurance to all members. Where did he go wrong?


Obviously, you were never in the service....

A prior-service enlisted Green to Gold LT will even qualify for WIC and FRL if s/he has 2 or more kids. The pay is just not that good despite the bennies. And yes, the value of your BAH w/dep is added to the total pay in terms of income qualifiers.

Re-Up and Rot!

Lifer = Lazy Ignorant F*%#@* Expecting Retirement

Geo Will Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Say, how is it that Costco is cheaper than the
> commissary anyway?

+1, this is how I knew the OP was full of shit. Plus active duty guys don't wear an "I'm on active duty" sticker on their heads.

Highlander Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Obviously, you were never in the service....



I do not understand your response. Could you please elaborate?

Kid Wrote:
>> i dont get how any of you all can say anythin negative about soldiers..

FWIW, I'm not saying anything negative about soldiers. My dad's a Viet Nam vet, and so are 2 of my uncles. And two other uncles fought in the Korean War. I've been around war vets my whole life. I'm just saying what my dad said to me all my life: Study enough to get into college. It's a hell of lot better than tramping around a jungle getting shot at while you're defending people you don't give a shit about. Be smart and let someone else do it. While you might get some sort of patriotic satisfaction about serving your country, Uncle Sam really doesn't give a fuck about you personally, and you ain't gonna get rich by signing up.

I'm glad I took my dad's advice.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kid Wrote:
> >> i dont get how any of you all can say anythin
> negative about soldiers..
>
> FWIW, I'm not saying anything negative about
> soldiers. My dad's a Viet Nam vet, and so are 2
> of my uncles. And two other uncles fought in the
> Korean War. I've been around war vets my whole
> life. I'm just saying what my dad said to me all
> my life: Study enough to get into college. It's
> a hell of lot better than tramping around a jungle
> getting shot at while you're defending people you
> don't give a shit about. Be smart and let someone
> else do it. While you might get some sort of
> patriotic satisfaction about serving your country,
> Uncle Sam really doesn't give a fuck about you
> personally, and you ain't gonna get rich by
> signing up.
>
> I'm glad I took my dad's advice.


"Be smart and let someone else do it"????
On the contrary, I served two tours in Viet Nam. True,
some will not "give a fuck". Too bad for them.
I took full advantge of my G.I. Bill and managed to
finish a B. A. in Government from the U. of Md. I
had Veterans Preference and manged to retire from a
Federal agency after 30 years. My career was based
on technical skills obtained in the Army. Also, Ive
bought three homes now on my benefit package. It served
me well. As a result of 60's and 70's attitudes,
sometimes it wasnt popular to admit being a Nam vet,
but I sure as Hell dont have to apologize to anyone.
I will not speak to anyone identified as a "draft dodger"
including that chickenshit former Prez of ours.
One thing I noticed after returning home was how naive
the war critics could be. They could solve all the worlds
problems in a demonstration, but couldnt find Nam on a map
if their life depended on it. I also once heard a real "war hero"
of a Womens Libber bitching because she thought that all women
should be receiving something similar to the G. I. Bill due
to a history of repression against women. I told her if she
wanted G. I. Bill benefits she shoudl get her big fat ass
over to a recruiting station and sign up. No taker there. Too
lazy. I do not believe ONE WORD of those WHOPPERS that Hillary
told about trying to enlist in the military. IMHO, she isnt
good enough to shine my fucking combat boots!

Slimey, hey, I remembered you were a Vet. My dad hated those protesters too, he was not a war critic. He got shot at for year and then had to come back and listen to yet another group of assholes criticizing him. But all along he wasn't fighting for his country, he was fighting for his fellow soldiers stuck over there with him. He just wanted to get the fuck home and make a life for himself.

Back them he didn't know a thing about Hillary or Women Libbers, or whatever you are talking about.

"I will not speak to anyone identified as a "draft dodger"
including that chickenshit former Prez of ours."

Don't worry, I ain't talking to you either.

Hey what about the current prez? That stupid motherfucker flew over Texas a few times and disappeared.

Too bad we don't have more facts about the soldier using food stamps. Military members receive rations, billeting, medical, post exchange, commissary, among other benefits. In these situations where a soldier uses food stamps, I would opine that he/she is not planning and budgeting effectively.

I suspect if you're below E-6 you may have a hard go of it if you're in Northern VA or another high cost of living area. But if you're serving out in the provinces, $20k a year with lots of bennies isn't bad money if you're 18-19. Meet up with the wrong girl and she will get knocked up 'cause she wuvs you so much, lol ...

Slimey, I think your contempt for Clinton is more about him being a Democrat than about him dodging the draft. Somehow I don't think you despise Dick 'I got married to get out of the draft' Cheney with equal fervor.

Active duty soldiers do not get the benefits that most ppl think they do....Biting off more than you can chew or not does not change the fact that LOTS of soldiers, young or old, do not make much $$. Sure, they could have chosen a different path in life, but would you have chosen theirs' and take our place sacrificing what they do on a daily basis? WHat they do, allows you to speak freely about their bad choices. Try budgeting daycare, let's say 2 kids, groceries, clothing, diapers and such, car note (sometimes 2 so both hubby and wife can work or get kids to appointments) and just your daily costs of living on $24k/year. Please don't forget to add in military discounts of 10% or a tax free item if you are lucky...Pay for clothes? $300/year for ACUs and nothing for dress blues. hmmmm.... What about the rest of the family. Medical is great when you can be seen or if the pharmacy has your meds (if not, you have to go elsewhere and pay for them). I could say SO much more, but will stop here. Try finding out everything or living in a soldier's shoes for a month or so before bashing them!
If you can't stand behind a soldier and be supportive, feel free to stand in FRONT of them and do it yourself.

old post but great line!

"If you can't stand behind a soldier and be supportive, feel free to stand in FRONT of them and do it yourself."

So how much should we pay them?

Better SNAP goes to a soldier then an illegal. Oh excuse me, I don't want to offend the liberals, "undocumented". Funny, the priorities of those here who without any knowledge simply assume the soldier is unable to budget his expenses, instead of thinking of a way to help our troops and their families. Disgusting.

Welcome to Obama's America................48 million and counting on food stamps................can't wait for the next four years!

DorMor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Active duty soldiers do not get the benefits that
> most ppl think they do....Biting off more than you
> can chew or not does not change the fact that LOTS
> of soldiers, young or old, do not make much $$.
> Sure, they could have chosen a different path in
> life, but would you have chosen theirs' and take
> our place sacrificing what they do on a daily
> basis? WHat they do, allows you to speak freely
> about their bad choices. Try budgeting daycare,
> let's say 2 kids, groceries, clothing, diapers and
> such, car note (sometimes 2 so both hubby and wife
> can work or get kids to appointments) and just
> your daily costs of living on $24k/year. Please
> don't forget to add in military discounts of 10%
> or a tax free item if you are lucky...Pay for
> clothes? $300/year for ACUs and nothing for dress
> blues. hmmmm.... What about the rest of the
> family. Medical is great when you can be seen or
> if the pharmacy has your meds (if not, you have to
> go elsewhere and pay for them). I could say SO
> much more, but will stop here. Try finding out
> everything or living in a soldier's shoes for a
> month or so before bashing them!
> If you can't stand behind a soldier and be
> supportive, feel free to stand in FRONT of them
> and do it yourself.

"nothing for dress blues"? I spent four years on active duty and
wouldn't have dreamed of buying the dress uniform. First of all, you
weren't required to and if you did you could be called to attend just
about every formal occasion on post whether you liked it or not.
I knew one troop who did and he wound up serving coffee at receptions
for visiting senior officers and attending Post Chapel weddings for
people he didn't know, all this on his own time. Also, the accompanying
sword isn't stuck in it's scabbard. You have to drill to the degree that
you can execute commands during ceremonies and look good in front of the
cameras. I said no thanks to all the spit and polish. I would have
liked to have gotten my hands on one of the swords (they're very high quality)
but the PX won't sell them without purchase of the dress uniform.

No AD soldier,sailor, marine or VET should be on food stamps. They should have a sufficient salary and benefits so that is never necessary. I know it has been the case forever - but it is not right. It is a disgrace to this country - that our soldiers are not paid better and better taken care of while they wear the uniform.

I used to get very upset seeing local foreigners taking up donations and doing canned food drives for our enlisted men and their families in Germany every year. I was at first in shock, then I became angry. How can the greatest country on earth do that to its troops?

For those of you blame and flame artists pointing at bad decisions and life choices - rot in hell. We are better than that. Military Service as a way up the ladder and into a better place is a noble enterprise that makes America better.

Bringing back the draft is one way to ensure that everyone understands what service and sacrifice is all about, and that we should be doing a much better job taking care of our troops and their families.

Disgusted Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No AD soldier,sailor, marine or VET should be on
> food stamps. They should have a sufficient salary
> and benefits so that is never necessary. I know
> it has been the case forever - but it is not
> right. It is a disgrace to this country - that
> our soldiers are not paid better and better taken
> care of while they wear the uniform.
>
> I used to get very upset seeing local foreigners
> taking up donations and doing canned food drives
> for our enlisted men and their families in Germany
> every year. I was at first in shock, then I became
> angry. How can the greatest country on earth do
> that to its troops?
>
> For those of you blame and flame artists pointing
> at bad decisions and life choices - rot in hell.
> We are better than that. Military Service as a
> way up the ladder and into a better place is a
> noble enterprise that makes America better.
>
> Bringing back the draft is one way to ensure that
> everyone understands what service and sacrifice is
> all about, and that we should be doing a much
> better job taking care of our troops and their
> families.

Let's see how popular reviving the Draft would be in Congress. Think Obama would touch it? Going to Draft women? Yeah right.....

Simple economics and math.
Attachments:

Kid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> i dont get how any of you all can say anythin
> negative about soldiers..


I was a US Marine and unfortunately 75% or more of the servicemen I served next to, were complete idiots. They are divorced, with 3+ kids, no money, and an expensive car in attempts to show off. Not smart.

As others have pointed out already I am finding some serious flaws in this story's accuracy. First, why would an active Duty Army soldier be shopping at Costco when there is the PX and commissary? Second, unless the OP saw the soldier's ID there isn't any way to verify which component he is enlisted in. Third, if anyone in Army were to qualify for SNAP it would be single soldiers who get the ass end of the boot in most cases. Fourth, with that many kids he has to be pulling over 2 grand a pay period with BAH, marriage pay, TIS, etc.

captRambo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Second, unless the OP saw the
> soldier's ID there isn't any way to verify which
> component he is enlisted in.

I'm guessing the soldier was in uniform, with the branch of service on the left side, his last name on the right. But since the OP didn't say, I's just guessin' here.

captRambo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As others have pointed out already I am finding
> some serious flaws in this story's accuracy.
> First, why would an active Duty Army soldier be
> shopping at Costco when there is the PX and
> commissary? Second, unless the OP saw the
> soldier's ID there isn't any way to verify which
> component he is enlisted in. Third, if anyone in
> Army were to qualify for SNAP it would be single
> soldiers who get the ass end of the boot in most
> cases. Fourth, with that many kids he has to be
> pulling over 2 grand a pay period with BAH,
> marriage pay, TIS, etc.

I'm skeptical of the story too but sometimes Commissaries and PX's can really suck and there are better deals at Costco and local supermarkets.

JustanFYI Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kid Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > i dont get how any of you all can say anythin
> > negative about soldiers..
>
>
> I was a US Marine and unfortunately 75% or more of
> the servicemen I served next to, were complete
> idiots. They are divorced, with 3+ kids, no
> money, and an expensive car in attempts to show
> off. Not smart.


Being a good Marine has nothing to do with being a good provider to your family.

TheDudeAbides Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> captRambo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Second, unless the OP saw the
> > soldier's ID there isn't any way to verify
> which
> > component he is enlisted in.
>
> I'm guessing the soldier was in uniform, with the
> branch of service on the left side, his last name
> on the right. But since the OP didn't say, I's
> just guessin' here.

Regardless Active, Reserve, or National Guard a soldier wears the US Army name tape.