Of course 25% is far to much! I ignored that becasue I thought it was too far-fetched to discuss.

I was speaking about the smaller amount. And your points about base housing, health sys perks Etc are taken into consideration.

But Dan, there is a certain responsibility of the citizens of this country to not force those who defend it to live below the poverty level. And, yes Dan I was factoring in the perks.

You and I agree about this subject in 99.99% of fact. But I respectfully suggest that stepping forward to do what I consider duty to stand between us and those who would attack us. Those should not have to suffer from penuriance from overly tight purse strings.

Those who wear a uniform today have to be smart enough to operate some of the most sophisticated electronic machinery in existance today.

When they quit training and go to real war, they face a modern battlefield of incredible complexity and lethality. More lethal and complex than their fathers, and grandfathers (like me) .

Let us at least pay them a decent wage.