Because, you know, Afghanistan is really a place for service members to deploy to, kick back, and forget about all the troubles of every day life back in America.
From Big Peace
As of February 1st 2012, President Obama has determined that Combat Pay for US forces will be determined by a new criteria. In general, Afghanistan has been deemed a combat zone and all US forces deployed in that region have been eligible for combat pay due to the certainty of encountering dirt-bags in firefights, ambushes, IED’s or suicide bombings. This new policy now requires having been shot at first. For those not understanding the problem with this, it now says that the US Government has effectively declared Afghanistan a “safe zone”! And this in spite of the nearly daily reports of Americans being either wounded or killed! This newest insult is certainly an effort to bolster what will be his campaign claim to have “pacified” Afghanistan during his tenure and having kept one of his last campaign promises to bring all troops home by the end of his first term. But here again is where perception, does not align with reality. In a land where the Taliban are given new control over the country by our unwillingness to hold them accountable in combat and where discussions of “peace talks” include promises to release known murderous thugs back onto the battlefield where our troops still operate, the Taliban have made it clear they are not only not in talks but that they are not interested.
Is this the “safe” Afghanistan where Warriors are still forced to patrol daily, are wounded in daily, killed in daily, betrayed by Afghan Soldiers and Police Cadets, daily and which the Obama Administration has now effectively declared no longer a combat zone?
So once again, the health and well-being of our Warriors will suffer for political expedience. In addition, all troops fired upon, wounded or killed by our “Afghan partners” will not be viewed as combat deaths but fratricide/murder, making those incidents criminal acts. This will affect the way United States Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen who are wounded or killed in that polluted land are treated by this government. It will also most likely change the SGLI eligibility status from non-taxable to taxable!!
The mask is coming off this communist POS. As his back gets closer to the wall he has no choice but to throw bones to his rabid base to secure their support – that they are the bones of Americans tells you everything you need to know about Obama`s true colors. They are not Red, White and Blue.
Hey guys, don’t mean to be a buzz kill but I think this story is a little off. I spoke with a buddy of mine in the military when I heard about this and he broke it down for me. The original flat rate of $225, Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) or Haz Duty Pay, is now being broken down into a daily per diem rate of $7.50.
Originally if you were in a combat zone for a week let’s say, you got paid the flat rate for the month even though you were only there for seven days. Now, if you are in a combat zone for seven days you are only going to receive $52.50 of IDP or 7 days x $7.50. Too my knowledge there is no requirement for actually being engaged by the enemy. You just have to be in a theater that has been designated a combat zone by the DOD. Also, just by right of being in the country of Afghanistan you are going to get IDP for the time you are there whether or not you are shot at or sitting in an office on a base.
However, if you are in the “rear with the gear” in a place like Kuwait, where you used to get IDP, and are in very little to no danger whatsoever, you probably will not be privy to recieving IDP.
I understand this is second hand, but it is coming from an active duty US military member. If this is incorrect please let me know just for clarities sake.
Mike,
So it’s wrong? You let me know, and I’ll adjust or remove it.
Thanks for the info.
Hey have you left yet for travel?
You know if the story turns out to be inaccurate, some loser in the little cubicle at MMFA is gonna kick it up to V.Jarretts office to try to improve his stature – she`ll take it as a “why did`nt I think of that” moment, and we`ll read about it in a month or so…..anyway, with all the “mandates” that are coming from the big O – I stand by my comment. Safe trip M.
From what I’m reading it looks as though there are gonna be area’s in Afghanistan deemed safe zones and if your in an area like that you won’t receive the extra pay unless your in direct danger. I did 2 tours in Iraq and they never did that over there but we have to remember that there is a different president now and once an area is declared a non-war zone the rules can be bent or changed no matter how unfair they are. A perfect example is the ROE (rules of engagement) in a war zone anything goes in a non-war zone your ass will go to prison for the same actions you once were allowed to do. I’m sure that if military.com is reporting this there is probably a good chance it is true just my opinion though…….
This is just one more example of Obama’s RADICAL policies..this is an INSULT to our troops in an unstabilized region on the front lines..this IDIOT has GOT to be put out of office, he is DANGEROUS to our National Security!!!! I would like to see HIS daughters putting their lives on the line with no combat pay…this dude is selling out America, he needs to be IMPEACHED!!!! How disgusting!!!!