Army pay in 1970...

[Sistema1927]

During WWII, in those 4 years, if a general could not produce a victory in a couple of months they were removed of duty and replaced without prejudice or bias.
The US has been in Afghanistan almost 20 years and no US general has produced a major victory. They are certainly getting good pay.

Apples and oranges.

First, find me anyone, anywhere, in any period of history, who has been able to succeed in the "graveyard of empires". Getting bogged down in Afghanistan is more a denial of history than a military exercise.

Second, and related, can anyone tell me what "victory" in Afghanistan would look like? At least in World War 2 you knew what the objective was.

 

[Ziggy2525]

Second, and related, can anyone tell me what "victory" in Afghanistan would look like?
...

... Glass ...

 

[Sistema1927]

... Glass ...

Simple solutions to complex problems. Guessing that would open up a whole 'nother can of worms.

 

[Drm50]

I think pay was 81.50 in boot camp 1970. I made E4 in 5months in service and shipped to RVn. I forget what pay was. I know we got Combat pay, hazardous duty, foreign duty and pro pay. All I remember was I got minimum pay off books every month. Had max in soldiers savings, $100 savings bond and Credit Union at home. We didn't have anything to spend money on. We wore out script playing cards. We got everything free except hard booze.

 

[bigwheelzip]

This is from the casualty report of hubby's uncle, a Marine who died at Camp Lejeune 7/7/62. An E-1 pay grade with 3 years in, married, getting 105 dollars a month.

 

[Ziggy2525]

Simple solutions to complex problems. Guessing that would open up a whole 'nother can of worms.

I don't think it's a moral solution. But based on a couple thousand years of Afghan history, it's probably the only solution where an outside country would be able to declare "victory." Sometimes simple solutions are the only workable ones.

 

[REM 3200]

Second, and related, can anyone tell me what "victory" in Afghanistan would look like? At least in World War 2 you knew what the objective was.

Sure can, a Glass Parking Lot.

 

[jimmyj]

Volunteered the day I turned 17. IIRC (?) my pay was $90.00 month.
I was single (stayed that way for years) Lived on base or ship and sent most of my pay home to Mom and Dad. I think that I drew a couple of dollars extra for shooting expert (?). Luckily back in that era the "Old Timers" took the "Kids" under Their wings and helped them to keep away from falling down big holes.

 

[NYlakesider]

My adopted grandson was a bit of a problem after school was over, he went through a bunch of jobs and quit or was fired.

My son who had adopted him a bunch of years back when he got married finely convinced his mother that time to do something was long past.

Long story short he joined the Army a couple years ago seemed to like it, did well and is now going to get his sergeant stripe. He reenlisted but is soon going to Afghanistan if I remember correctly. He is crossed trained as a correction officer, MP and has had a lot of armorer training.

 

[dave1918a2]

If I recall I was making $87 a month when I enlisted. I couldn't even afford a girlfriend let alone a wife. Kudo's to You for sticking it out.
PS: My old hunting partner of the last 51 years was also in Ankara, but He left at the end of 67. He was a Batman.

 

[Huski92]

Can't remember what I made early 90's. But I was single and lived on the ship. Always had beer money.


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