Readers railed against proposals to limit dual military couples to a single housing allowance and to limit troop's ability to choose their own running shoes. Readers were split over the value provided by military bands, which are now under congressional scrutiny. weighed in on the high-level discussions to ditch the blue-and-gray Navy working uniform and on the new tattoo rules that allow sailors to have a neck tattoo and sleeves on their arms.
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'SLAP IN THE FACE'
In addition to patriotism, what are some of the biggest reasons that people join the military? School, job security, medical benefits and housing benefits are among them. Now, what happens when you start taking benefits that service members earn when they pledge to uphold the Constitution? You hurt the people protecting this great country.
Because the Senate version of the defense authorization bill would limit dual-military couples to one Basic Allowance for Housing payment, many — and I mean many — people are about to lose their ever loving minds. ["Congress is targeting military housing stipends, and it could cost troops thousands," May 28]. How can we target not only military members but military-to-military couples?
I joined the Air Force in March 2010. I enlisted for four years and later re-enlisted. Both enlistments were as a single airman. I got married to another military member in 2014. So now that I found someone who loves me and with whom I want to spend my life, we're being penalized? I took both enlistments as myself, not myself plus one. My husband is also on his second enlistment. When we enlist we are doing it as two different people, separately. This isn't a two-for-one special, folks. We all earn our military benefits.
I have and will continue to give up everything the military needs from me, but why I am being looked at as a plus one? Are you also going to cut my paycheck as well? This is a big issue for 34,000 military members in the Air Force who are dual military. I read the op-ed by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody, which she stated that 28 percent of women in the military are married to another military member. ["Airmen's pay and compensation is earned!" June 10]. Now, it feels like we are being targeted. Why push people further and further from wanting to serve? We all sacrifice, but we do it as individuals.
Is Congress prepared to lose not only the country's military members, but their knowledge and experience? If we mean enough to you, you will help change this provision, which will screw over a lot of people who have worked hard for this country. As a plea for all military members, lets remove the BAH amendment detailed in Section 604 of the NDAA.
If we don't get this resolved, it will be a huge slap in the face to everyone who took the oath, just like myself.
Senior Airman Kimber Rachuy
Osan Air Base, South Korea
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DON'T LIMIT PT SHOES
I am a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with six years of military service. I was dismayed to read the online article, "Fight over military sneakers could leave troops with fewer footwear choices in the Army." [see page 26].
Please do not pass a law that limits the type of shoe I can buy for physical training. I try to take the best care of my body and each year consult with running professionals who analyze my running style and gait. I purchase the shoes they recommend because I want my legs and knees to hold up for the rest of my life.
Having an "issued" running shoe, or limiting us to one brand, is a horrible idea. I can't wear Nike or Adidas running shoes, as they don't fit my foot. Also, if issue running shoes end up being like issue boots forget it! The only things Army-issued boots are good for is clothing inventory and blisters.
Please don't pass a law that limits availability or brand of running shoes.
Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Butler
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
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MILITARY BANDS' VALUE
Don't discount a maintainer's, cop's, combat engineer's, pilot's or any other critical skill's value over playing in a band. We are short-handed in all these areas. I like watching the bands play, but most would airmen would rather work less hours and maybe have a reduced ops tempo than to see a band.
James Livingston
Via Facebook
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When our aircraft maintainers have the parts, tools and resources needed to put aircraft in the air, then you can have bands. We have aircraft maintainers working 60-plus hours a week making up for lack of parts and tools. Honestly, I am not a supporter of dual military couples both getting BAH, but I definitely see a lot of wasted money on these bands. I have 23 years in aircraft maintenance and have never had a chance to see any of those shows. Some airmen had to actually perform duties to support the primary mission, as well as earn their rank. They were not given E-6.
Mike Pry
Via Facebook
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Capitol Hill has nothing better to do than to screw the military's morale! Military bands have been playing for years. What they need to do is increase the manning to the proper numbers for each squadron to accomplish the job efficiently, so our members won't be overworked until they burn out.
Jessie Jablonski
Via Facebook
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Conserve end strength by reducing the number of military bands: awesome idea! Redirect $437 million a year to an actual strategic entity: even better idea! Too bad it didn't happen before the Enlisted Retention Board. We could have kept some of the folks who were truly operational.
Mark Vazquez
Via Facebook
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Talk about a red herring. Zillions spent on weapons that aren't needed or don't work, and we're focusing on this.
Donald Johnson
Via Facebook
