Thread: Education cuts for military

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

Most other countries achieve masters degrees in 2 years, Bachelors degrees in 3 years ... just saying.

Sorry, I meant bachelors + masters.
I started from scratch, and had my masters degree 4 years later.

I never mention the bachelors degree because it is superseded by the masters. Back in the day we used to joke that someone with a bachelors degree was someone who didn't finish his studies.

I still think of a bachelors degree as meaning "this person can be trained" not that they are.

2 bachelors + masters = 6.5 years I also worked full time the last 3 years of those years.

enjoy,
jim

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

Most other countries achieve masters degrees in 2 years, Bachelors degrees in 3 years ... just saying.

I am guessing that still makes it 5 years to get a Masters because you have to have your bachelors first to get into a Masters. Then again I could be all wrong only having grade nine education.

Bob

Well guys, I'm on the 16 year plan for an Associates Degree. Anyhow, that's completely irrelevant to this thread. But congratulations to those of you who are above average, from someone who is evidently very much below average.

As for Army TA. I used it. It pays for about two classes per semester at a university, probably more at a community college. 4500 a year is the amount. You are allowed to take the classes without question. But, if your unit goes on a field exercise, you miss class. If you get stuck on staff duty, you miss class. If someone loses their pro mask, and the whole unit gets put on lockdown for 40 hours in the company area, you miss class. If someone gets a DUI, and you all have to stay late to get lectured, you miss class. If you come down on orders to spend the next year of your life overseas, you can pay for distance learning with it. But the only ones who seem to use it overseas are the office personnel. Infantrymen aren't going to have the time. Instructors are very understanding of all this ofc. But it can be challenging.

In my 7 years in the military, I knew a total of 8 people who actively used the Armed Services Tuition Assistance benefit. Not that I asked every single person I ever met in service if they were using it. But I preached passionately on the subject to my soldiers from their day zero in the unit. And never got a single taker, in 4 years as a leader, and probably 60 different soldiers under my care. So my thought is that as programs go, this one could stand to be cut. If even 50 percent of soldiers used the benefit, I think it'd be worth it to keep on the books. Of course, if they cut my GI Bill payments, I'll be singing a different tune in a heartbeat. But I also look at the GI Bill as an entitlement, rather than a benefit. I paid the government a certain amount of money over the course of my first year of service, in exchange for the GI Bill. I paid them, and I met the requirements of time in service necessary to receive it. It wasn't given freely. I paid for it, it's mine. Get it?

Those few servicemembers I know who were using the benefit, are very upset about losing it. And I feel for them. But as those above average individuals above have proven. If you want something bad enough, you'll get it regardless of whether or not somebody else chips in on your success. And judging by the personality types I met who were using the benefit, this will only be a hiccup in their plans.

Originally Posted by BobH

I am guessing that still makes it 5 years to get a Masters because you have to have your bachelors first to get into a Masters. Then again I could be all wrong only having grade nine education.

Bob

You're still a good guy Bob.

Originally Posted by Nightblade

You're still a good guy Bob.

Thanks, never any doubt in my military mind, put my pants on the same way as the Admirals do.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Thanks, never any doubt in my military mind, put my pants on the same way as the Admirals do.

Bob

you have an aide to dress you?

Originally Posted by syslight

you have an aide to dress you?

Certainly, my right hand if not otherwise gainfully employed.

Bob

Originally Posted by syslight

Taxes are low in the US? perhaps the income taxes are a little lower than other places but we make up for it in other taxes and fees. i do not track my sales tax on groceries and booze or gasoline. my other taxes and fees last year, 53.87% of my gross pay, how much more to you want?

jim

The Most Tax Friendly Country In The World Is.... (Spoiler Alert: It's Not the U.S.) - Forbes

If it's taxes you care most about, you have several other choices than the US:
least burdened to most:
India
Canada
China
Mexico
Russia
United Kingdom
Netherlands
United States
Germany
Australia
Brazil
Japan
Italy
France

I'm not sure that the conditions in the US are really known in other parts of the industrialized world. Minimum wage in the US is 7.25$us an hour. That's Before Local, State and Federal Taxes. It's also Before Social Security and Health Insurance.
And there are people in this Country that want to lower that. That's happening is the old "Bait and Switch". You enter a job with the promise of Benefits be it Health, Education or retirement and before your able to take advantage they're either taken away or decreased.
If I person enters the military with the idealistic ideas of doing so to benefit his/her country; his/her country shouldn't screw them!