Children of our noble War dead

[KafirChobee]

According to the VFW mag, and their "Washingtonwire"; A February report from the American Psychological Assoc. notes that 700,000 children have had parents serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. "It is estimated that 2,733 of those children had a parent killed there".

The report concluded that many troops and their families "are going without mental health care" to help them cope with the war's trauma because of the limited amount of such services and "barriers" to access them. It found that the military has experienced a 22% decline in uniformed clinical psychologists and a 40% vacancy among licensed clinical psychologists in the Army and Navy.

According to the Pentagon's Manpower Data Center, of the 3350+ American dead in Iraq (and Afghanistan) through Jan. 2007, 1,586 were married, or 47.3%.

Nice, eh? Of course the GOP congress did raise the death insurance (in 2006, after pressure from the Dems) to $100,000 - Honest to God it was $10,000 before, the same as 'nam 40 years ago.

In Feb. and Mar. 2007 two Bills (S. 659 and H.R. 1116) will allow the payments to go those who raise the orphans of our noble dead - Grandparents or relatives.

What I was shocked about was that GI insurance was still only $10,000, and that it was limited to who it could go to (that's new from the 'nam era - you were allowed to name the beneficiary then ... expect Red to correct me on this). How sad that the 2006 increase was not made retroactive - then again the GOPists hate raising taxes (even to pay for their mistakes - except during the Reagone era, "the pertend golden era of rightists purity"). Still, what does one expect from politicians (both sides of the spectrum) that are more concerned with pleasing their major contributors than serving those that serve the nation on the wall and in-harms-way? After all, they're volunteers - .03% of Americans. Screw'em?

[Devastatin Dave]

According to the VFW mag, and their "Washingtonwire"; A February report from the American Psychological Assoc. notes that 700,000 children have had parents serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. "It is estimated that 2,733 of those children had a parent killed there".

The report concluded that many troops and their families "are going without mental health care" to help them cope with the war's trauma because of the limited amount of such services and "barriers" to access them. It found that the military has experienced a 22% decline in uniformed clinical psychologists and a 40% vacancy among licensed clinical psychologists in the Army and Navy.

According to the Pentagon's Manpower Data Center, of the 3350+ American dead in Iraq (and Afghanistan) through Jan. 2007, 1,586 were married, or 47.3%.

Nice, eh? Of course the GOP congress did raise the death insurance (in 2006, after pressure from the Dems) to $100,000 - Honest to God it was $10,000 before, the same as 'nam 40 years ago.

In Feb. and Mar. 2007 two Bills (S. 659 and H.R. 1116) will allow the payments to go those who raise the orphans of our noble dead - Grandparents or relatives.

What I was shocked about was that GI insurance was still only $10,000, and that it was limited to who it could go to (that's new from the 'nam era - you were allowed to name the beneficiary then ... expect Red to correct me on this). How sad that the 2006 increase was not made retroactive - then again the GOPists hate raising taxes (even to pay for their mistakes - except during the Reagone era, "the pertend golden era of rightists purity"). Still, what does one expect from politicians (both sides of the spectrum) that are more concerned with pleasing their major contributors than serving those that serve the nation on the wall and in-harms-way? After all, they're volunteers - .03% of Americans. Screw'em?

Its 200,000, but rant away if it makes you feel better...

[KafirChobee]

What's 200,000? I pretty much quoted the VFW and APA report, so feel free to disagree that we aren't doing enough for the orphans Bush43 has created - but please define your why you possition.

I'm wrong because I FEEL WE NEED TO DO MORE FOR THESE CHILDREN?

Of course, I appreciate your wanting to limit the number of children whose parents have served - but, that makes it better?
:wall:

[Major Robert Dump]

The enlistment papers I signed around a month ago had me designate beneficiaries for payment of 100,000 death gratuity in the event of my death while in combat, around combat or training for combat, and 12k for a regular death. Also, should I opt into SGLI my beneficiaries could get up to 400,000. Also, there is a dependant Indemnity plan called DIC to take care of kids and there is a uniformed services survivor thingy called SBP that pays out 55% of the retirment pay the enlisted person had based on time of service.

[KafirChobee]

Dump, you're talking about $400,000 insurance for them - the family (of course it isn't specified how much the families have to pay - face it, nothing except CEO's salaries are free in this country). The Bill, btw, will be approved (the GOPists could never ... say no to this one - today; they fought against it btw for 4 years) but, it hasn't passed yet. So, they are feeding you a line of the future and not the present.

As to the "retirement thingy"? Thats called Social Security - my cousins Mom received it after their war-time Dad committed suicide in 1955. Of course it was an accident to the family, I saw him fall from the bridge my GrandDad was building (we were having a picknic watching the "tying of the bridge) - I was four (my Dad told me the truth on his deathbed). Still, I know what you mean Dump.

As for insurance - buy it now before you enter the service - it's alot cheaper. PS - don't tell them your entering the armed forces .. save yourself the grief.

Enjoy, my friend. Be safe, don't get stupid, and realize that not everyone can be saved. Not that they all don't deserve it. In other words, Don't displace god, or try to be him - try to remember what ever you promised your lady. Adhere to that, and maybe you got a shot at surviving your curiousity about Iraq. Or, your willingness to go back to a situation (the military) you once found beneath your ability (er, capability). Good luck, enjoy - say hello to my little relatives - You'll recognize them by their blank stares (they all been in for atleast 12 years).
/

[HoreTore]

Is it possible to get life insurance somewhere else while you're in Iraq, or anywhere else in the army?

[Lemur]

As for insurance - buy it now before you enter the service - it's alot cheaper. PS - don't tell them your entering the armed forces .. save yourself the grief.
I know for a fact that my policy will not pay out if I am killed in a war. Better not get too cute with the insurer, especially if you're concerned about your family's well-being.

[Fragony]

Bodybagdad's

[Redleg]

According to the VFW mag, and their "Washingtonwire"; A February report from the American Psychological Assoc. notes that 700,000 children have had parents serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. "It is estimated that 2,733 of those children had a parent killed there".

The report concluded that many troops and their families "are going without mental health care" to help them cope with the war's trauma because of the limited amount of such services and "barriers" to access them. It found that the military has experienced a 22% decline in uniformed clinical psychologists and a 40% vacancy among licensed clinical psychologists in the Army and Navy.

According to the Pentagon's Manpower Data Center, of the 3350+ American dead in Iraq (and Afghanistan) through Jan. 2007, 1,586 were married, or 47.3%.

Nice, eh? Of course the GOP congress did raise the death insurance (in 2006, after pressure from the Dems) to $100,000 - Honest to God it was $10,000 before, the same as 'nam 40 years ago.

In Feb. and Mar. 2007 two Bills (S. 659 and H.R. 1116) will allow the payments to go those who raise the orphans of our noble dead - Grandparents or relatives.

What I was shocked about was that GI insurance was still only $10,000, and that it was limited to who it could go to (that's new from the 'nam era - you were allowed to name the beneficiary then ... expect Red to correct me on this). How sad that the 2006 increase was not made retroactive - then again the GOPists hate raising taxes (even to pay for their mistakes - except during the Reagone era, "the pertend golden era of rightists purity"). Still, what does one expect from politicians (both sides of the spectrum) that are more concerned with pleasing their major contributors than serving those that serve the nation on the wall and in-harms-way? After all, they're volunteers - .03% of Americans. Screw'em?

I think your pretty much correct. THe death insurance for Desert Storm was 10,000 plus the SGLI of up to 200,000 if the soldier signed up for it. Now I don't now about the beneficiary statement because I thought that the soldier had to elect them when you did the pre-deployment paperwork. So in essence I think you have it right.

[KukriKhan]

The SBP (Survivor's Benefit Plan) mentioned by MRD is an annuity plan that retirees can elect to fund with part of their retirement monthly stipends.

When I was active-duty (ending 1988) you could write in anyone's name as beneficiary for the death-benefit payment. Most GI's wrote the words "By Law" on that line, meaning the gov't would pay the designated Next-of-kin, in legal sequence (wife, child, parent, sibling, etc, in that order).