2-Tier Death Benefit Package Stings Marine Colonel's Family

[21H40]

Thanks for the link... I'll admit that I've been counting on SGLI as my primary life insurance for too long, and I haven't even shopped for alternatives.

BTW I didn't join for entitlements or college money, but I also didn't join for Anthrax vac's. or stop loss. Newsweek a couple months ago said only 0.4% of Americans are in military service now. I imagine more people will feel that servicemembers are an undeserving minority aiming for a free lunch.

 

[petrel800]

BTW I didn't join for entitlements or college money, but I also didn't join for Anthrax vac's. or stop loss. Newsweek a couple months ago said only 0.4% of Americans are in military service now. I imagine more people will feel that servicemembers are an undeserving minority aiming for a free lunch.

I hope my statement hasn't made you feel that I feel that way about all service people, and let me once again express my gratitude for your service. It is a shame that military numbers are dwindling and .gov needs to make the job more enticing to young americans through better pay and benefits just like how any business increases their work force. Also, this crap about not allowing recruiters in high schools to speak with students is also bunk (I reference a story about a philly community barring recruiters, sorry no link). When I graduated high school I was proud to allow members from the Army come to my house and speak with me about the service. In the end, after considering all my options I choose a different path. My only problem is with those who sign an agreement and then after the fact want more than they agreed to. I do not feel as though people who have joined the service have done so out of entitlment or for a free lunch.

There is no more honorable profession then serving this great nation and you all do deserve to be compensated for it.

 

[DelayedReaction]

In a war without front lines, I have trouble with anyone having their benefits limited because of where they died. Soldiers should receive the best benefits possible, regardless of where they are.

 

[Cellar Dweller]

Life insurance doesn't, nor should it include "kickers" for years of service, # of deployments, # medals, officer/warrant/enlisted, MOS etc. Life insurance isn't a "be-all, end-all" nor is it supposed to be like winning the lottery.

She has at least 5 years worth of income to either remarry or get a job, and she does not have to be a "stay-at-home" mom. Unless things have grossly changed since I was in, she will also be collecting SSI until the children are 18 (or 19 in school, or 23(?) if disabled) plus she gets some SSI until the youngest is 16 (ex. I die today, my wife + 2 children get ~$2500/month; my service time was SSI-creditable income in the 80's-90's).

Don't most, if not all state universities have "children of veterans" scholarships? If not, then it's moot...

She appears to be complaining about PRIVATE, NON-PROFITs denying her and her children, not the government. They make the rules, his death doesn't fit, therefore perks are denied...very simple.

 

[280PLUS]

Soldiers should receive the best benefits possible, regardless of where they are.

I'll second that emotion but would change "soldiers" to "military personel"

 

[21H40]

280,
Absolutely, "service members" is really what I've seen here. My unit has been working with Navy Seabees, Marines and AirForce throughout our deployment. I've heard rumors of Coast Guard, but I haven't made it to the beach to cheack it out -- reckon the comander'd approve a request for a weekend recon at the beach to look for CG? Maybe I'll take the NTV (Non-Tatical Vehicle) and a couple of cases of near-beer, you know, just in case of emergencies!

As far as petrel800, I appreciate that you don't mean anything personally, but you did hit a nerve. This perpetual war is tearing up families faster than it seems to be killing insurgents (the last Army Times mentions divorce rates climbing amazingly high -- I need to start carrying my reading material into the internet cafe so I can quote them accurately , I'll just say real high since I don't remember #'s). I probably ought to stop here before I rant too far off topic.

Despite all that, it is fundamentally difficult for me to have sympathy for a senior officer's wife. O-6 is a level where you should be able to understand all of the word play that .gov uses around it's "benifits," and at a minimum, she shouldn't act suprised.

 

[wmenorr67]

It still boils down to the fact that service members in a "combat" zone get a little bit better pay with the separation allowances and hazardous duty pay. Which by the way most if not all is going to be at least tax free on the federal level. Then the government is going to pay for the 1st $150000 worth of life insurance. The cost for me on my SGLI is $16.25 a month for the current max of $250000. I also pay $9 something for $100000 on my spouse. I also have a "civilian" policy of $150000 (I think) that will not pay based on an act of war. Plus I my company provides $10000 free. My family will be taken care of until my wife decides to go to work wether I die in or out of combat.