Mark,
Wow! I appreciate the research that you did in order to make a definitive decision as to how you feel about this article. After reading your response, I was perhaps swayed a bit from my initial opinion and interpretation. As I have children and I am in the military, providing praise is a must. I think that my interpretation of Kohn’s article must be a little different though. "Good Job" is important regardless of the fact if you are an adult or child, but I feel that Kohn is inferring that a constant "Good Job" for menial tasks may not be the perfect response.
Kohn seems to pass on to me from his article that there should be a happy balance of praise and communication, in order to raise a child to be a functional adult that can adapt and flourish in society. I feel that Kohn is implying that communication is the key, throughout this entire article.
Regardless, "Good Job" is great as long it is praise for a "Good Job" that is well done. That is the value of opinion that I feel Kohn is relating to his readers. Furthermore, to appreciate the value for a major conquest in a really good job that has value and is well done is the greatest reward!
Thank you again for your insight and reflection in a real world work place. Your point of view, while different than mine, is a perfect example of how people need to hear "Good Job" for a job well done regardless of their age.
Great Post!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Extra Credit Response Unit II Dayna Clark
Dayna,
BRAVO!! You covered this article in entirety. I was super thrilled at your insight and opinions that Kohn has offered through his appeals. Your right, regardless of who you are, this article will bring you in based on many different emotions of pathos.
I, as a parent, read this article and to be honest I wasn't offended or put off at all. I was intrigued! When I read and interpreted it, I was decidedly swayed into Kohn’s argument and opinion. It is hard to be a parent and try to raise your children to be compassionate, sharing, respectful and loving individuals in today’s society. There are too many mitigating factors that influence a parenting style. I must admit that I do agree with the whole ideology of "Good Job". We are all guilty of this phrase regardless if we are parents or not. I too say "Good Job", but I try to be choicer of when and how I say it.
As society is ever-changing, I understand the implications’ that Kohn is trying to express. In my interpretation and opinion, a constant "Good Job" could possibly lead to emotional and peer issues. The biggest result in my opinion is that of entitlement. A child may constantly always expect and never develop a sense of a real "Good Job" well done!
Again thanks for really digging into this article. I really enjoyed your perspective and post!
BRAVO!! You covered this article in entirety. I was super thrilled at your insight and opinions that Kohn has offered through his appeals. Your right, regardless of who you are, this article will bring you in based on many different emotions of pathos.
I, as a parent, read this article and to be honest I wasn't offended or put off at all. I was intrigued! When I read and interpreted it, I was decidedly swayed into Kohn’s argument and opinion. It is hard to be a parent and try to raise your children to be compassionate, sharing, respectful and loving individuals in today’s society. There are too many mitigating factors that influence a parenting style. I must admit that I do agree with the whole ideology of "Good Job". We are all guilty of this phrase regardless if we are parents or not. I too say "Good Job", but I try to be choicer of when and how I say it.
As society is ever-changing, I understand the implications’ that Kohn is trying to express. In my interpretation and opinion, a constant "Good Job" could possibly lead to emotional and peer issues. The biggest result in my opinion is that of entitlement. A child may constantly always expect and never develop a sense of a real "Good Job" well done!
Again thanks for really digging into this article. I really enjoyed your perspective and post!
Extra Credit Response Unit II Darryl Overstreet
Darryl,
I must say although I didn't exactly interpret the article as you did, I did find some of your points valid. I don't think that Kohn was specifically saying not to praise your child, but for them to see the bigger picture in avenues of praise, sharing, respect and generosity. I as a parent have suffered with having high expectations for my children. I must admit that I feel that sometimes constant praise breeds a form of entitlement in our children. They rely on us as their parents to teach them and we must prepare them for the praise they may get as they progress through the challenges in life. I fell that Kohn may be implying that with the right type of praise and communication with our children, we may possibly help them with their successes and failures as far as dealing with them emotionally.
Praise is praise no matter how you want to implore it. Kohn seems to push more of a communicative state with children versus telling them "Good Job" for everything. We are all guilty of these idiocies, but for the most part it seems that his point was supported and well structured.
Either way I really enjoyed your opposition in your blog post. Thank you for shedding a different perspective on this article!
I must say although I didn't exactly interpret the article as you did, I did find some of your points valid. I don't think that Kohn was specifically saying not to praise your child, but for them to see the bigger picture in avenues of praise, sharing, respect and generosity. I as a parent have suffered with having high expectations for my children. I must admit that I feel that sometimes constant praise breeds a form of entitlement in our children. They rely on us as their parents to teach them and we must prepare them for the praise they may get as they progress through the challenges in life. I fell that Kohn may be implying that with the right type of praise and communication with our children, we may possibly help them with their successes and failures as far as dealing with them emotionally.
Praise is praise no matter how you want to implore it. Kohn seems to push more of a communicative state with children versus telling them "Good Job" for everything. We are all guilty of these idiocies, but for the most part it seems that his point was supported and well structured.
Either way I really enjoyed your opposition in your blog post. Thank you for shedding a different perspective on this article!
Unit II Response to Michael Leonard
Michael,
For the most part I believe we both see eye to eye on this ethical argument. I don't think that Kohn was implying to completely eliminate all praise, because after all we as parents are the first and last teachers of our children. I just read more into the reasoning to not praise for everything. After all, I think that he as a parent is just as vulnerable as we are, which makes the appeal of pathos come into play. Maybe his reward or praise structure is more based on having a conversation with your child, rather than to automatically jump up and praise them for the more simple tasks, regardless of the reason. I can see how as a parent sometimes this is really difficult. Haven't we all been there? This article seems like it could be construed as a guideline or tutorial that could assist any parent who is struggling with a child that needs that guidance.
This argument as you infer is loaded with logos, pathos, and ethos. I am a parent and while all of these appeals reach out to me in different ways, the reality is that we are the teachers of our children and we must find that medium that teaches them to be prepared for both the social and emotional deterrents in life. Kohn seems to make that his mission statement.
Great blog response!
For the most part I believe we both see eye to eye on this ethical argument. I don't think that Kohn was implying to completely eliminate all praise, because after all we as parents are the first and last teachers of our children. I just read more into the reasoning to not praise for everything. After all, I think that he as a parent is just as vulnerable as we are, which makes the appeal of pathos come into play. Maybe his reward or praise structure is more based on having a conversation with your child, rather than to automatically jump up and praise them for the more simple tasks, regardless of the reason. I can see how as a parent sometimes this is really difficult. Haven't we all been there? This article seems like it could be construed as a guideline or tutorial that could assist any parent who is struggling with a child that needs that guidance.
This argument as you infer is loaded with logos, pathos, and ethos. I am a parent and while all of these appeals reach out to me in different ways, the reality is that we are the teachers of our children and we must find that medium that teaches them to be prepared for both the social and emotional deterrents in life. Kohn seems to make that his mission statement.
Great blog response!
Unit II Blog Post ..."Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!"
"Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!" is a supported and valid argument of the possible detriment to our children's emotional attitude toward themselves, others and society in general. Kohn emphasizes that due to constant praise and reward of personally expected behaviors, repercussions of social acceptance may arise. It is through this article that a depiction of a valid perspective on the praise of "Good Job" is described. We are all guilty of praising and offering rewards for certain characteristics and behaviors; that "we" employ as good, just and right. Kohn is blatant in the reality of this never-ending cycle and offers a gradual solution to preparing our youth for their future.
As a father of two, I used to constantly reward and praise my children for everything from flushing the toilet to picking up a toy. Please note that I say used too.... As I have matured and my children have grown older, I have learned that constant praise doesn't necessarily resolve or entice my children to correct the initial problem. I agree with Kohn when he implies that we are guilty of praising with "Good Job", of what we as a parent or educator feel is a good job. But in reality it is the premise of again what "we" feel is a good job and not necessarily a whole encompassing good job, that is perceived by educators and peers. For example praising for cleaning up a toy as a good job is nice but it eventually, speaking as a parent, will wear off. One toy is a great job but what about that whole playroom of toys that are still laying helplessly everywhere. The child eventually seems to land at an emotional place of entitlement and constant approval of only their parents expected "Good Job" and not as a learned social whole.
I appreciate Kohn's argument. The validity is there. We as parents, educators and society as a whole, are constantly praising for the small things and the intended child eventually just accepts that they are going to be praised, regardless of the action, task or behavior. Kohn appeals to his audience through pathos, logos, ethos and kairos throughout this ideal of what is a "Good Job". Using direct reference material by psychologists and professors, Kohn is able to offer his credibility through research or the appeal of ethos; the argument is supported with credible sources. His play on his readers emotion while visible can be construed in a variety of different ways. I interpreted the pathos of this emotional article to be enlightening and an emotional way to be supportive of my children in the right way, while others could possibly construe the argument as a judgement on how they are supposed to be raising their children. It is the emotional imprint of the article that could be considered slightly controversial, because Kohn seems to have a tendency to direct and lecture on the right way to praise your child. The logos or logical appeal of this article is directed at a specific group of readers. They are primarily parents, family, or educators that are in contact with children constantly. This targeted audience will have the most to gain and reflect upon after reading this article. The entire encompassing kairos of this article is very fitting during today's conflicting arguments of child rearing in society. We constantly hear horror stories of the "perfect child". They were great students, athletically involved, attending Church, and so on, but now they are in a juvenile detention hall for murder. While I know that I am interpreting this article to an extreme, it is fitting considering the state of our youth today. Kohn has penned at a perfect time and place. Hopefully his argument of "Good Job", will help parents take steps to not only praise their children in a healthy emotional way, as well as prepare them for the successes and failures, throughout their entire life.
http://www.alfiekohn.org/parenting/gj.htm
As a father of two, I used to constantly reward and praise my children for everything from flushing the toilet to picking up a toy. Please note that I say used too.... As I have matured and my children have grown older, I have learned that constant praise doesn't necessarily resolve or entice my children to correct the initial problem. I agree with Kohn when he implies that we are guilty of praising with "Good Job", of what we as a parent or educator feel is a good job. But in reality it is the premise of again what "we" feel is a good job and not necessarily a whole encompassing good job, that is perceived by educators and peers. For example praising for cleaning up a toy as a good job is nice but it eventually, speaking as a parent, will wear off. One toy is a great job but what about that whole playroom of toys that are still laying helplessly everywhere. The child eventually seems to land at an emotional place of entitlement and constant approval of only their parents expected "Good Job" and not as a learned social whole.
I appreciate Kohn's argument. The validity is there. We as parents, educators and society as a whole, are constantly praising for the small things and the intended child eventually just accepts that they are going to be praised, regardless of the action, task or behavior. Kohn appeals to his audience through pathos, logos, ethos and kairos throughout this ideal of what is a "Good Job". Using direct reference material by psychologists and professors, Kohn is able to offer his credibility through research or the appeal of ethos; the argument is supported with credible sources. His play on his readers emotion while visible can be construed in a variety of different ways. I interpreted the pathos of this emotional article to be enlightening and an emotional way to be supportive of my children in the right way, while others could possibly construe the argument as a judgement on how they are supposed to be raising their children. It is the emotional imprint of the article that could be considered slightly controversial, because Kohn seems to have a tendency to direct and lecture on the right way to praise your child. The logos or logical appeal of this article is directed at a specific group of readers. They are primarily parents, family, or educators that are in contact with children constantly. This targeted audience will have the most to gain and reflect upon after reading this article. The entire encompassing kairos of this article is very fitting during today's conflicting arguments of child rearing in society. We constantly hear horror stories of the "perfect child". They were great students, athletically involved, attending Church, and so on, but now they are in a juvenile detention hall for murder. While I know that I am interpreting this article to an extreme, it is fitting considering the state of our youth today. Kohn has penned at a perfect time and place. Hopefully his argument of "Good Job", will help parents take steps to not only praise their children in a healthy emotional way, as well as prepare them for the successes and failures, throughout their entire life.
http://www.alfiekohn.org/parenting/gj.htm
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Extra Credit Response Unit I Sarah
Sarah,
Thank you for sharing in my same belief. I am a father to two daughters, one being of an age where I am a nervous wreck.
Too be blunt, I will voice it and say yes I have put my teenage daughter on birth control. While it is hard to do, the reality is I am not naive to the world.
With the opportunity of free birth control, I am completely for the possibility and reality. We live in a culture unlike what we as young adults experienced. While I am not promoting promiscuity,very much like you, I am saying that I know the consequence and I want my children to understand them and be prepared.
Reducing teenage pregnancy by offering free birth control is one of the most aggressive advances we can make in the future. While the promotion of free birth control is an aggravating factor to many, the reality is that our earth is growing at a pace much faster than we can accommodate. There are so many reasons for free birth control, but first and foremost, I see it as a safety measure to protect our youth.
Thank you for being honest, voicing your opinion and setting the stage for reality. How refreshing for someone to utilize an ethical appeal and in my opinion logical appeal, to educate others on such a controversial topic.
Very informative blog! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing in my same belief. I am a father to two daughters, one being of an age where I am a nervous wreck.
Too be blunt, I will voice it and say yes I have put my teenage daughter on birth control. While it is hard to do, the reality is I am not naive to the world.
With the opportunity of free birth control, I am completely for the possibility and reality. We live in a culture unlike what we as young adults experienced. While I am not promoting promiscuity,very much like you, I am saying that I know the consequence and I want my children to understand them and be prepared.
Reducing teenage pregnancy by offering free birth control is one of the most aggressive advances we can make in the future. While the promotion of free birth control is an aggravating factor to many, the reality is that our earth is growing at a pace much faster than we can accommodate. There are so many reasons for free birth control, but first and foremost, I see it as a safety measure to protect our youth.
Thank you for being honest, voicing your opinion and setting the stage for reality. How refreshing for someone to utilize an ethical appeal and in my opinion logical appeal, to educate others on such a controversial topic.
Very informative blog! Thanks!
Extra Credit Response Unit I Blog - Jennifer Bloodworth
Jennifer,
Wow! You hit the nail on the head. I agree that teaching starts at home and ends at home. This is a never ending journey,their education, that we take with our children. We are the first teachers and will most likely be their last, they learn from us!
I agree that due to unions, the bad teachers are aloud to remain. But the question is where they always bad, or are they burned out by years of educational and uninvolved parenting abuse? It is said to say, but not everyone shares our passion of educating our children. I have run the gamut of individuals who feel that it is a public schools job to provide the education. The downfall is that a specific teacher may start out with dreams and goals of making a difference but when they are faced with teaching, parenting, potty-training, providing discipline, and most importantly love, they too sometimes get drained and lose sight of their first love, teaching our children.
While financial cut backs and downsizing have drained some of our teachers, I see that one of the biggest problems are the parents who don't parent and teach at home. They expect someone else to do their job. How sad that a super-fantastic teacher has bottomed out and has no enthusiasm left for their job, because of the losses they see in the everyday family.
It is up to everyone of us to parent and teach our children and not leave it all up to the educator. Thank god for the educators with the Patience of Job, Grace and Goodness of God, and metabolism of the Olympic athlete!
Great blog, it was fantastic and really hit home!
Wow! You hit the nail on the head. I agree that teaching starts at home and ends at home. This is a never ending journey,their education, that we take with our children. We are the first teachers and will most likely be their last, they learn from us!
I agree that due to unions, the bad teachers are aloud to remain. But the question is where they always bad, or are they burned out by years of educational and uninvolved parenting abuse? It is said to say, but not everyone shares our passion of educating our children. I have run the gamut of individuals who feel that it is a public schools job to provide the education. The downfall is that a specific teacher may start out with dreams and goals of making a difference but when they are faced with teaching, parenting, potty-training, providing discipline, and most importantly love, they too sometimes get drained and lose sight of their first love, teaching our children.
While financial cut backs and downsizing have drained some of our teachers, I see that one of the biggest problems are the parents who don't parent and teach at home. They expect someone else to do their job. How sad that a super-fantastic teacher has bottomed out and has no enthusiasm left for their job, because of the losses they see in the everyday family.
It is up to everyone of us to parent and teach our children and not leave it all up to the educator. Thank god for the educators with the Patience of Job, Grace and Goodness of God, and metabolism of the Olympic athlete!
Great blog, it was fantastic and really hit home!
Extra Credit Response Comp II - Darryl Overstreet
Darryl,
I too feel your discouragement in our educational foundations. I am in awe that with mass revenue coming in from casinos, that your educational system is still being passed over. I would question where that money is actually going. It us remarkable that as a society we can talk about the avenues for funding, show the avenues for funding and make promises for the future, but sadly nothing more is done to advance the proper route of financial competency. While I am vaguely familiar with the SQ 744 proposal; only by what I am reading from your blog and a few online articles, it amazes me of the ignored agenda and the unfulfilled promises.
While I don't reside in Oklahoma, Virginia is just as misguided and mistrusted in their educational promises. Property taxes are outrageous, educators are taken for granted, government funding is providing for children whose parents are serving their country and unevenly distributed, but still there is never money for the acquisitions that are so desperately needed in terms of our children's education and future. How sad it is that we only want the best for our child's education, but yet our governmental support structure always seems to fall short, unless they are over-taxing or taking from other broken programs.
Thanks for the insight and emotional appeal. It is an outrage what we have to fight for to educate our children!
I too feel your discouragement in our educational foundations. I am in awe that with mass revenue coming in from casinos, that your educational system is still being passed over. I would question where that money is actually going. It us remarkable that as a society we can talk about the avenues for funding, show the avenues for funding and make promises for the future, but sadly nothing more is done to advance the proper route of financial competency. While I am vaguely familiar with the SQ 744 proposal; only by what I am reading from your blog and a few online articles, it amazes me of the ignored agenda and the unfulfilled promises.
While I don't reside in Oklahoma, Virginia is just as misguided and mistrusted in their educational promises. Property taxes are outrageous, educators are taken for granted, government funding is providing for children whose parents are serving their country and unevenly distributed, but still there is never money for the acquisitions that are so desperately needed in terms of our children's education and future. How sad it is that we only want the best for our child's education, but yet our governmental support structure always seems to fall short, unless they are over-taxing or taking from other broken programs.
Thanks for the insight and emotional appeal. It is an outrage what we have to fight for to educate our children!
Response to Unit I Blog - Michael Lenoard
Michael,
I really appreciate the topic and subject matter. First let me say I whole heartily agree with you about the money, it always seems to be the bottom line, or beginning line, or it seems that money is all that matters! How much, how quickly, and who the money can be made for. While I am a college ball fan, watch college ball religiously and seriously enjoy watching the talent come up, I prefer that it remain the way it is. Spending dollars on internal investigations into the BCS is a shameful way to throw needed money out the door. This is college ball, we haven't progressed to the NFL yet. I feel the need to say that college ball is about rounding out new talent and helping them achieve their dreams. It isn't about the big dollars, but the reality is that it is moving that way. So wasting money to investigate only seems to show how easy it is to through money away on certain things that need to be left alone.
It isn't about how much money the schools and college ball system can make... or maybe it is! They haven't made it to the big leagues so don't treat it like the NFL.
Again I appreciate your point of view and the subject matter was ideal for the time of year.
I really appreciate the topic and subject matter. First let me say I whole heartily agree with you about the money, it always seems to be the bottom line, or beginning line, or it seems that money is all that matters! How much, how quickly, and who the money can be made for. While I am a college ball fan, watch college ball religiously and seriously enjoy watching the talent come up, I prefer that it remain the way it is. Spending dollars on internal investigations into the BCS is a shameful way to throw needed money out the door. This is college ball, we haven't progressed to the NFL yet. I feel the need to say that college ball is about rounding out new talent and helping them achieve their dreams. It isn't about the big dollars, but the reality is that it is moving that way. So wasting money to investigate only seems to show how easy it is to through money away on certain things that need to be left alone.
It isn't about how much money the schools and college ball system can make... or maybe it is! They haven't made it to the big leagues so don't treat it like the NFL.
Again I appreciate your point of view and the subject matter was ideal for the time of year.
Unit I Blog - 2011 Military Pay Debacle NDAA 2011 (H.R.5136) - Reduce Military Size or Cut Pay?
The NDAA 2011 (H.R. 5136) or National Defense Authorization Act for 2011 has been put on hold due to the most recent elections. While I'm sure your wondering what I am referring to with bill numbers and abbreviations, the National Defense Authorization Act decides and dictates the current designated spending for the military. Unfortunately, this year's agenda is looking to cut a budget that is already shoestring thin, by either reducing military size, military special pay, or both. The newly elected politician results are in, but the NDAA 2011 undecided results aren't looking very promising.
This year, 2010,has been a major charade and debacle, in regards to military pay raises and military spending. The government is looking to cut corners and apparently the military is the place to go. There are three major concerns that our sailors, soldiers and airmen should be looking at within the 2011 NDAA. The first is whether the Senate will approve the discriminatory and minimal pay raise for service members. 1.4% proposed by the Senate and President, or 1.9% proposed by the House; obviously they are both repugnant, but, hey, a raise is a raise.
The other two critical proposals on the 2011 NDAA are whether or not to cut our military forces, or cut the existing military pay, or both. While both of these proposals are redundant, the government is going to do what they have to do to save money, regardless of its hardship impacts.
Included in pay cuts are the special duty allowances for military service members. These include eliminating tax free war zone pay, hazardous duty pay, special duty pay, and family leave and separation pay. By eliminating these pays, hardships and cohesion breaks will subtly set in. Obviously, there is overspending in all of our branches of the service, but the notion is that the military is making more across the board than the allowable ECI-Employment Cost Index. Okay, I have to be honest about this index, someone needs to explain to me why they are willing to cut pay,cut troops, and downsize in general for financial reasons, but in return higher on GSA employees and contractors to make on average almost 3 times the same amount of money of the man they just discharged, while offering an over-generous benefits package. This game of truth or consequences has too many hardships at risk, and the negative outcome will sadly discourage faith in America but its people.
While our economy is struggling, with bolstered media reports of an assumed financial recovery, cutting military pay and reducing our military size is an unfortunate and ignorant way to stay the crisis. If the government decides to downsize military forces, we will see a surge in the employment market, which will re-create our unemployment conundrum. With employment reduction comes individuals looking for alternative work. Apparently, we as a country can not handle the surging unemployment market, just think what a major military overhaul will produce. Most assuredly unemployment lines will continue to wind around the local and state employment security commission offices.
Reducing military size also puts America in a very vulnerable state. Technically we are still at war. Not only will this proposal add additional pressure onto a morale-deprived and weakened cohesive unit, but it will also require many to perform additional duties that they may be unprepared or uneducated to take on. It then becomes a burden of a weakened military to perform at 100% with only 75% staffing. Unquestionable problems are bound to inundate our ranks.
After consideration of military reduction has played out, the other recommendation is to reduce or stop special duty pay. To be honest, speaking as a sailor in the United States Navy, this will most assuredly cause a hardship. Special duty pays include such pays as family leave and separation, combat pay, tax-free war zone pay, SD AP for recruiters, and other additional incentive pays which specific sailors and soldiers work hard to attain, by additional education and taking on collateral duties. To reduce or remove these special payments will create a cohesion hardship, financial hardship, and morale hardship. It is through special pays that sailors and soldiers receive recognition for hard work and dedication to their country.
While this year's pay raises are criminally defunct, what should be a majority concern is the reduction in troops, reduction in pay or both. Our House and Senate still haven't come forth with a resolution to budget cuts in the military. Although I am sure that it will be soon, we as the people must really consider what these budget cuts will mean to both the military family and the civilian economy. Limited troops and limited pay can quite possibly spin our financial crisis right back to where it started, when we were sure that it was coming to an end.
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2010/10/congressional-politics-leaves-military-pay-hanging/
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2010/10/2011-military-pay-debate/?wh=benefits
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR05136:@@@J
This year, 2010,has been a major charade and debacle, in regards to military pay raises and military spending. The government is looking to cut corners and apparently the military is the place to go. There are three major concerns that our sailors, soldiers and airmen should be looking at within the 2011 NDAA. The first is whether the Senate will approve the discriminatory and minimal pay raise for service members. 1.4% proposed by the Senate and President, or 1.9% proposed by the House; obviously they are both repugnant, but, hey, a raise is a raise.
The other two critical proposals on the 2011 NDAA are whether or not to cut our military forces, or cut the existing military pay, or both. While both of these proposals are redundant, the government is going to do what they have to do to save money, regardless of its hardship impacts.
Included in pay cuts are the special duty allowances for military service members. These include eliminating tax free war zone pay, hazardous duty pay, special duty pay, and family leave and separation pay. By eliminating these pays, hardships and cohesion breaks will subtly set in. Obviously, there is overspending in all of our branches of the service, but the notion is that the military is making more across the board than the allowable ECI-Employment Cost Index. Okay, I have to be honest about this index, someone needs to explain to me why they are willing to cut pay,cut troops, and downsize in general for financial reasons, but in return higher on GSA employees and contractors to make on average almost 3 times the same amount of money of the man they just discharged, while offering an over-generous benefits package. This game of truth or consequences has too many hardships at risk, and the negative outcome will sadly discourage faith in America but its people.
While our economy is struggling, with bolstered media reports of an assumed financial recovery, cutting military pay and reducing our military size is an unfortunate and ignorant way to stay the crisis. If the government decides to downsize military forces, we will see a surge in the employment market, which will re-create our unemployment conundrum. With employment reduction comes individuals looking for alternative work. Apparently, we as a country can not handle the surging unemployment market, just think what a major military overhaul will produce. Most assuredly unemployment lines will continue to wind around the local and state employment security commission offices.
Reducing military size also puts America in a very vulnerable state. Technically we are still at war. Not only will this proposal add additional pressure onto a morale-deprived and weakened cohesive unit, but it will also require many to perform additional duties that they may be unprepared or uneducated to take on. It then becomes a burden of a weakened military to perform at 100% with only 75% staffing. Unquestionable problems are bound to inundate our ranks.
After consideration of military reduction has played out, the other recommendation is to reduce or stop special duty pay. To be honest, speaking as a sailor in the United States Navy, this will most assuredly cause a hardship. Special duty pays include such pays as family leave and separation, combat pay, tax-free war zone pay, SD AP for recruiters, and other additional incentive pays which specific sailors and soldiers work hard to attain, by additional education and taking on collateral duties. To reduce or remove these special payments will create a cohesion hardship, financial hardship, and morale hardship. It is through special pays that sailors and soldiers receive recognition for hard work and dedication to their country.
While this year's pay raises are criminally defunct, what should be a majority concern is the reduction in troops, reduction in pay or both. Our House and Senate still haven't come forth with a resolution to budget cuts in the military. Although I am sure that it will be soon, we as the people must really consider what these budget cuts will mean to both the military family and the civilian economy. Limited troops and limited pay can quite possibly spin our financial crisis right back to where it started, when we were sure that it was coming to an end.
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2010/10/congressional-politics-leaves-military-pay-hanging/
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2010/10/2011-military-pay-debate/?wh=benefits
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR05136:@@@J
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