U.S. Spent Over $100 Million In Six-Figure Bonuses To Top Commandos

[babylonsister]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071012/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/pentagon_commando_costs

Six-figure bonuses retain US commandos

By RICHARD LARDNER, Associated Press Writer 34 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has paid more than $100 million in bonuses to veteran Green Berets and Navy SEALs, reversing the flow of top commandos to the corporate world where security companies such as Blackwater USA are offering big salaries.

The retention effort, started nearly three years ago and overseen by U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Fla., has helped preserve a small but elite group of enlisted troops with vast experience fighting the unconventional wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Defense Department statistics.

Overall, more than 1,200 of the military's most specialized personnel near or already eligible for retirement have opted for payments of up to $150,000 in return for staying in uniform several more years.

The numbers gathered by The Associated Press and other Pentagon research indicate there has not been an extended exodus of commandos to private security companies and other businesses that value their talents.

"Back in 2005, we saw quite a few exits," said Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, director of the Navy's military personnel plans and policy division. "What we're seeing lately is just the opposite. We've become very aggressive."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates remains so concerned over the lure of high salaries in the private sector that he has directed Pentagon lawyers to explore putting no-compete clauses into contracts with security companies that would limit their recruiting abilities.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071012/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/pentagon_commando_costs

[aquart]

1. How about we simply stop giving contracts to our competition?

[babylonsister]

5. This is money going to Green Berets and Seals, not the competition,

unless I'm not getting your point.

[atreides1]

7. Blackwater

Is the competition!!!

And the military is paying them what Blackwater would be paying them, and as long as Blackwater and the other mercenaries are in business the US military will end up spending more to keep a few in the ranks.

But the downside is if they keep offering these huge bonuses to keep bodies in uniform, it could end up hurting the rest military, who won't be getting those 6 figure bonuses.

I guess love of country is so passe, and filling your pockets is now part of the American way.

[aquart]

Yep.

[babylonsister]

8. But the SEALS and Green Berets are NOT Blackwater. These bonuses

are going to the military.

[leftchick]

9. what they are suggesting is

That the US quit hiring the "competition" to our troops, Blackwater mercenaries for example. Then they would not need to give outrageous bonuses in addition to paying contractors. What the hell, it is only our money they are throwing around. :(

[babylonsister]

10. Ah, gotcha. Thanks. But I'm thinking these bonuses are in addition

to continued payments to Blackwater for their 'services'. I won't believe their contracts will end any time soon until that actually happens.:-(

[Jokerman]

6. Nail on the head.

So we are paying tax money to keep service people from going to private companies who get tax money to pay better salaries.

Sounds like another "benefit" of privatization.

[dysfunctional press]

2. you need to edit your subject line- it's $100 MILLION, not Billion.

nt

[babylonsister]

4. Thanks. nt

[ProdigalJunkMail]

3. might want to check your alphabet and then edit... n/t

[tuckessee]

11. At what point do they become mercenaries? n/t