Veterans group angry former Australian Army Chief talked about republicanism instead of military iss - Polidicks

[quote]Anger is growing in the veterans' community over the appointment of former Army Chief David Morrison as Australian of the Year. Some veterans have accused the retired Lieutenant General of turning his back on Defence personnel, and an online petition is now calling on him to consider resigning his new position. Petition author and former soldier Geoff Shafran said he was appalled to hear General Morrison nominate a republic as a priority after winning his award, but not the welfare of veterans. "When you can get on at an Australia Day speech and discuss the republic and not allude to veterans' issues when he had, I think it's 13, soldiers who were actually killed overseas while he was Chief of Army, it's just turning your back on these people — the ones who have come back and are suffering mental and physical issues," Mr Shafran said. "There is something that is really quite sickening about that."[/quote] [url]http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-29/david-morrison-war-veterans-upset-with-australian-of-the-year/7125952[/url] Maybe it sounds heartless, but he has every right to talk about something else. He doesn't need to spend every public appearance their issue and their issue only. I honestly think the ABC has blown this out of proportion; this should not have been on the front page of the ABC. For those who don't know who Morrison is, he's this guy: [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaqpoeVgr8U[/media]

I hate how people complain he's not talking about veterans issues, especially since he talks about them all the time. Just seems like monarchists getting pissy.

Some veterans are the most self-entitled people out there. You volunteered to serve, you were paid extremely well for your service to your country, you are thanked with a pension, subsidised housing, insurance, dental, healthcare and more, and there are a range of charities which cover what the government doesn't. Why should there be hand holding with the government at every opportunity, and why can't the defence chief talk about things other than veterans?

[QUOTE=Antdawg;49633609]Some veterans are the most self-entitled people out there. You volunteered to serve, you were paid [B]extremely well[/B] for your service to your country, you are thanked with a pension, subsidised housing, insurance, dental, healthcare and more, and there are a range of charities which cover what the government doesn't. Why should there be hand holding with the government at every opportunity, and why can't the defence chief talk about things other than veterans?[/QUOTE] Except for this bit, I agree with you. Dunno how you Aussies do things, but most enlisted service members in the US get payed shit. You're right about all the free stuff though. Free food and clothing if you're enlisted, free healthcare, free housing, etc. etc. I agree that there are way too many assholes in the veteran's community. Isn't limited to just the US or Australian communities either.

[QUOTE=Psychokitten;49639910]Except for this bit, I agree with you. Dunno how you Aussies do things, but most enlisted service members in the US get payed shit. You're right about all the free stuff though. Free food and clothing if you're enlisted, free healthcare, free housing, etc. etc. I agree that there are way too many assholes in the veteran's community. Isn't limited to just the US or Australian communities either.[/QUOTE] This is the current pay scheme for the ADF: [url]http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/Pay_Current_Rates.pdf[/url] Base pay for a year one private (PTE) is A$45500/year plus whatever speciality bonus you earn.

[QUOTE=download;49642739]This is the current pay scheme for the ADF: [url]http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/Pay_Current_Rates.pdf[/url] Base pay for a year one private (PTE) is A$45500/year plus whatever speciality bonus you earn.[/QUOTE] Holy shit. That's over twice what I would get [URL="http://www.dfas.mil/dam/jcr:81e6bd2c-a106-461b-851d-c77c7066baa5/2016MilitaryPayChart.pdf"]payed[/URL] as an active duty E-3 with less than 2 years. (the chart is monthly pay, just fyi)

[QUOTE=Psychokitten;49644133]Holy shit. That's over twice what I would get [URL="http://www.dfas.mil/dam/jcr:81e6bd2c-a106-461b-851d-c77c7066baa5/2016MilitaryPayChart.pdf"]payed[/URL] as an active duty E-3 with less than 2 years. (the chart is monthly pay, just fyi)[/QUOTE] If you're a US soldier you can sign up for the ADF for a straight pay increase. It's literally a running campaign we have last I checked.

It's only for specialty positions we're short on. They have an enourmous line for grunt jobs.

[QUOTE=MuTAnT;49645495]If you're a US soldier you can sign up for the ADF for a straight pay increase. It's literally a running campaign we have last I checked.[/QUOTE] Well I'd hope that program includes citizenship and permanent living arrangements, because enlisting in a foreign military is one of the few ways you can have your citizenship to the United States revoked. [sp]If I remember correctly.[/sp]

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;49647995]Well I'd hope that program includes citizenship and permanent living arrangements, because enlisting in a foreign military is one of the few ways you can have your citizenship to the United States revoked. [sp]If I remember correctly.[/sp][/QUOTE] Yeah I'm not sure how the program works but from how close AUS/US relations are I doubt you'd get screwed that hard.

[QUOTE=Psychokitten;49644133]Holy shit. That's over twice what I would get [URL="http://www.dfas.mil/dam/jcr:81e6bd2c-a106-461b-851d-c77c7066baa5/2016MilitaryPayChart.pdf"]payed[/URL] as an active duty E-3 with less than 2 years. (the chart is monthly pay, just fyi)[/QUOTE] You are in the lowest 1/3rd of the military's pay scale though, sticking around long enough it goes up pretty quickly

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;49647995]Well I'd hope that program includes citizenship and permanent living arrangements, because enlisting in a foreign military is one of the few ways you can have your citizenship to the United States revoked. [sp]If I remember correctly.[/sp][/QUOTE] The program features dual-citizenship. Apparently the hardest part is moving your family over, but it's possible.