It never ceases to amaze me how little the civilian world knows about the military. Understandable, no draft, leaders have little or no military experience. Case in point. The much ballyhooed article by Phil Bronstein, formerly of the San Francisco Chronicle, about the Navy Seal who was the no 2 guy to shoot Bin Laden, like he needed killing twice. Bronstein's article says no medical care and no retirement for the "Seal." Of course, no retirement. He got out after 16 years. Why? The minimum for a pension is 20 years. The military did go through a short period when they wanted to get rid of people and allowed retirement earlier but even then it was 19 years I think. My suspicion is Bronstein wanted a good hook so maybe rendering the military as heartless was it.
A basic wrong in the Bronstein article and in a reference in Time Magazine is the VA. You don't apply for VA, you are entitled to it. The vet merely signs up. There is a "means" test which is self defeating I think. It really is punishing vets for being successful but that is a side issue. But, most, like the Navy Seal merely need to "sign up." No problem. And, all soldiers should be evaluated anyway. My suspicion is Bronstein wanted a stothesis the hell with the facts. This afterall is the guy who was married to Sharon Stone and then got bit by a kimono dragon. Does that tell us something.
No comments:
Post a Comment