The 19 True Things Generals Can't Say About Afghanistan

**Centurion1** · 11-16-2011, 14:52

200k isn't a stretch.

my cousin was an e-5 and now he works for Xe. he was a ranger combat medic.

I'm sorry swordmaster in this case you are simply wrong or misinformed.

**SwordsMaster** · 11-16-2011, 15:32

Am I? You said it, he was a medic. What experience does he have in disabling explosives, close protection, or counter-insurgency tactics?

Originally Posted by Centurion1

200k isn't a stretch.

my cousin was an e-5 and now he works for Xe. he was a ranger combat medic.

I'm sorry swordmaster in this case you are simply wrong or misinformed.

**Centurion1** · 11-16-2011, 23:11

I think gc answered your question more than sufficiently........

High Profile PMC's get the bodyguard details because such details are hyper dangerous and require the kinds of skills a group of such operatives is trained for. You do not simply stop trainign when you enter in with a pmc. nor do they offer the fat types of salaries they have to just anybody like you presume.

**Papewaio** · 11-18-2011, 05:31

An electrician can get over $5.5k Aus a week working in coal seam gas installations.
Kitchen hands at mine sites a $100k per annum.

So $200k for being a merc is being short changed

**Papewaio** · 11-18-2011, 07:14

Mine sites are looking for people who can hand working in remote locations, who can handle harsh weather and are hard workers.

Did you drive a tank? Can you drive a truck... $90k+ to drive a haul pack... A truck so large it possibly could pancake a tank.

Can you hike? Become a geology field hand.

Can you lift heavy pipes or operate heavy machinery? Then join a drill team

**PanzerJaeger** · 11-18-2011, 13:05

Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube

*And before anyone rips on me for supporting big government, here... if every American was willing to do a stint in the Army during a time of war, then every American would be entitled to free college. IMO it should be required to even vote. Heinlein style. But a more realistic and morally sound solution (since I'm aware that my first instincts on an issue are usually morally unsound) would simply be to drop the price of higher education here in the states.. it's prohibitively expensive, and education seems like one of those "Basic Human Rights" people like to wave around.

I don't think anyone here would criticize you for that. You earned it and you deserve it, along with the new tax credit and anything else society can do to ensure that your service does not put you at a disadvantage once you get out.

**Strike For The South** · 11-18-2011, 18:53

And by PMC we mean mercenary

Not that I particularly mind that we are using them, just don't piss on my boots and tell me it's raining. It of course speaks to the larger issue of the American gov't sanitizing everything to keep the hawks hawkish.

**Papewaio** · 11-19-2011, 01:23

Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube

If I was in dire straights, yes. Those are definately the logical next-step for someone with my skillset. Thankfully, the government is now paying for me to go to college, and I can gain other skills that are more marketable, and lead to jobs with less bullets being shot in my general direction and/or unwanted hikes through crappy terrain.

*And before anyone rips on me for supporting big government, here... if every American was willing to do a stint in the Army during a time of war, then every American would be entitled to free college. IMO it should be required to even vote. Heinlein style. But a more realistic and morally sound solution (since I'm aware that my first instincts on an issue are usually morally unsound) would simply be to drop the price of higher education here in the states.. it's prohibitively expensive, and education seems like one of those "Basic Human Rights" people like to wave around.

Australia has practically free higher education (it's a CPI debt that's payed off as part of your tax when you go over a minimium income)... without having to join the military.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 11-19-2011, 16:36

Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube

Many countries have free higher education. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's been awhile since the USA was at the very top of the college charts, and I wouldn't be surprised if the nation that is at the top charges less for school!

But that's just me making an assumption. Could be wrong.

No, the US is still at the top, though per-capita you rank somewhat lower, 6th or something.

CalTech is #1 in the world, Harvard #2.