Military Gets Cola, Vets Get Nothing

[broncovet]

Here it is:

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-...s?ESRC=navy-a.n

The military says that military deserves a pay raise, and I agree, but says on the other hand, Veterans get zero.

The VA squandering of our money is bad enough, an increase was given to the VA by congress sufficient for a pay raise, but VA executives decided to keep this money for themselves and award each other bonuses instead.

[navydoc2]

12R3G,

Thanks for the post.

The $250.00 is what we need to be writing congress and our reps about.

When the CPI-W formula shows no cola - that's it.

carlie

I would much rather a COLA increase rather than a one time check for $250 since it COLA would be monthly that makes it a no brainer.

[carlie]

We can kick and scream till the cows come home

and it will not change the formula they use to figure cola's.

Anyone that want's to contact or write congress, great, go for it,

and if there is success I would certainly applaud all of the effort.

I have just started (about the last 3 or 4 years) to choose my battles

more carefully and now put my energy into the ones I find most obtainable.

The cola debate is absolutely nothing new here, or to veteran's and SSA.

It happens every year and people bicker back and forth for a few months on it.

carlie

[carlie]

BTW,

A pay increase for military member's v cola increase for veterans

is like comparing apples to oranges.

One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

jmho,

carlie

[sgmdae]

I searched this out four months ago. It was obvious that we would not get a raise.

Last years raise should of triggered everyone about the future raises.

There is nothing we can do, getting the $250.00 is a constalation prize by the President.

I would like to think he is concerned, but I think its another ploy to keep some of the Vets on his side.

I know like a lot other Vets, I look forward to that additional money each month, no matter how small

[Pete53]

I have made up my mind to be grateful for what I get from VA. I am sure that the Military who are serving can use an increase and ours has never been the same amount anyway.

What will be interesting is to see how much Congress gives themselves this year.

Instead of a COLA maybe that quality of life increase will happen. I am sure that someone will post a flying pig.

I am helping a Veteran with a claim and talked to 800 number today/ It is the most worthless conversation I have had in a long time.

[sgmdae]

At one time, the 800 number was my best source.

The volume of calls has got so enormous, they have placed rules on the Call Center, that is is not VET Friendly

I have one that will talk to me freely, and tell me their procedures.

If your getting canned answers, they are doing as directed.

If they have 100 lines , and 90 are active, they will give you some time,but if they are at capacity 100/100, you time will be 2 minutes or less.

It is monitored by their supervisors.

Another questions, it depends on who answer your call, if they make a entry at their station, that operator will know the last time you called her/ his station.

I don't think they have accountability of every call you make to the center.

Last, they have been directed to tell you call as often as you want. They want to stop the idea the VETS are feeling that their inquiry is a bother to call center.

Before the seasoned Hadit member attack me for the above information, it was passed on to me from a 3 year experience Call Center member, that was trying to be informative.

Edited October 23, 2009 by sgmdae