Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Stripes letter: Shame on Army secretary

“Army secretary: Can’t compare soldiers with contractors” (article, Nov. 9) goes too far, in regard to Army Secretary Francis Harvey’s remarks on soldiers’ pay and benefits.

How dare you, Mr. Secretary, imply that we are here for the cash. We are not mercenaries. Your comments only prove just how out of touch you are with the soldiers you lead. Your mind-set is akin to the comments made by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about going to war with the army you have and not the one you want.

The benefits you speak of do not apply to everyone equally. Do you honestly think that the Army spends the same amount of money on housing for a private who lives in the barracks that it does for the general who commands the base? Do you really think that the Army spends all that money for medical care on a soldier who only goes on sick call once a year? They most certainly do not.

These so-called benefits are averages across the board as I understand them. Although I cannot quote facts and figures, it is also my understanding that we still have soldiers who qualify for food stamps. If this is true, you should be ashamed of yourself.

I challenge you to lead by example. If you think we should cut benefits for soldiers, then start with your own. Demand that Congress cut your benefits and pay by 10 percent, demand that they cut their own benefits and pay by 10 percent. Show us that you believe what we have been taught when it comes to leadership, “Follow me.”

Staff Sgt. Dennis E. Schell Jr.
Habbaniyah, Iraq

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