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Antryg, using the DoD as a catch-all term was a faux pas on my part - what I meant was "the military." As for the Congress, they approve the blank checks - and, yes, sometimes they are particular about where and how the money will be spent. All of which can be monkeyed with by the OMB. Four destroyers being built in four separate cities (in NC) is obviously attributable to one long-term Senator who loves to eat his bag of military pork barrels every morning, if I recall correctly.
$355 billion increase too much? Dunno. I just saw a relevant article and posted it. I have no clue what it's all being spent on and if it's worth it. Check out the bill links to thomas.loc.gov at the bottom of the article if you're interested in the specifics.
Pay raises for armed services? I dunno. Look, I have tons of friends and family members who are vets, and I almost signed up at that time in my life. I have TONS of respect for the service. But, I have heard a lot of my military friends say that it *can* be the worst form of welfare in some cases. Before you flame me, check out what I mean. Good service will get you quite far in the military, but it is demanding. However, if you are predisposed to laziness and are happy being a career buck private, you can (from what I'm told) basically sit on your ass all day without fear of losing a job. Is this true? I admit, I'm not personally knowledgible on it.
However, I do note that the armed forces is one of the better middle income careers out there today, with great benefits for you and your family and a great pension. There are plenty of sectors with underpaid overworked folks. While maintaining every respect and decorum regarding our fine men and women in uniform, I would say I don't have the facts to know about the need to raise their pay.
Cheers all. [img]graemlins/cheers.gif[/img]
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