I never intended to take away from the SF guys in anyway. They have earned everything they get. As far as Soldiers like Dan. If Dan has served his eight years he should be allowed to ETS, if not then life is tough.

As I quoted in reference in NCOER’s that the duties and scopes block will start off something like this “Responsible for the health, welfare, training and morale of X amount of Soldiers”. I am now in my forth deployment that has stop lossed Soldiers. Most of these Soldiers have continued to serve with honor. But there is percentage that will be a huge burden to the unit. As I stated in other post, they have made a mental decision to ETS. They probably have plans for school, future employment or family obligations. Because of the fact that these Soldiers have made the decision get out we as leaders should recognize this fact and use every effort to get these people an exception to policy. If that Soldier is essential to the mission, he is not going to be replaced or cannot be replaced then we as Leaders need to counsel the Soldier to let him know that he is valuable to the unit. This counseling needs to take place well before the stop loss policy is placed in effect.

The way stop lossed Soldiers are treated is that their ETS is anytime from 90 days prior to or somewhere in the deployment. They never get counseled by anyone, they are simply told to get one the plane and to at ease. Essentially they feel shanghaied. It should be they responsibility of the SGM/CSM to counsel these Soldiers. The reason for this is that the SGM/CSM are the ones that are telling their boss that these people are needed. Commanders at the Battalion level need to interview these Soldiers prior to stop loss, because they might be the one enforcing UCMJ when these Soldiers rebel.

Stop loss could be a good tool if used correctly. The real issue is that stop loss is applied in a blanket manner. Our leaders have become lazy, they cannot look a Soldier in the eye and tell them why they are being retained, and that is the real issue.

Any stop lossed Soldier should be compensated with money, $500 a month is nothing compared to the extra life that Soldiers are giving. There is nothing else for Army to give, with the exception to a honorable discharge and an award for a job well done.

RK, first of all, I don’t get all those SF bonuses because I’m not 18 series. However, those guys that DO get the bonuses and extra pay deserve what they get. THey are working harder than the regular Army and go through more crap. They are a specialized group of Soldiers. Here’s a question for you: what do you think about stop-loosed losers like Dan? Do you support his actions?

The more you post the clearer the reason for your position on the stop loss. People in SF units generally have a stronger desire to serve the country and because of that fact the Army tends to spend more money for SF units. SF units will receive more money and newer equipment. Bonuses for SF are higher, most regular army guys will not recieve a bonus if not deployed when they reup. Special pays are higher, most SF Soldiers recieve special pays, most regular Army guys do not. SF Soldiers more than likely have earned everything they recieve (money of equipment). When a Soldier in the SF desires to ETS all they have to do is notify their chain of command and they are out when the time comes. I know of three guys that were in SF units with my MOS and rank who were allowed to leave with no questions asked. Why? Their unit agreed to it and lived up to their word. SF will entice another person to join their ranks and all is well for them, not so in the regular Army. I do not want to start an argument between the regular Army and SF, I am just high lighting some differences.

Stop loss is not about money or patriotism. It is about someone that has made a decision to no longer serve their country and being forced to serve after that time. If they are beyond their contractual eight years they should be allowed to ETS. Soldiers that are still within the initial eight year commitment should face reality and serve their nation as they swore to do.

With all that said, we need something to deter abuses that happen when a Soldier is retained under stop loss. The asinine practice of applying stop loss across an entire division is out of control. CSM’s have said the main reason for stop loss is that we have the numbers to fight the war. Has anyone ever noticed that the Fobbits almost always out number the guys who actually fight the war, that see the enemy everyday. The Army would do better to entice Soldiers to stay active duty by showing them that there are better jobs and opportunities, thus keeping the number higher. Stop loss is not a positive solution, it could be useful if it were selective and because it is not selective a stipend of $500 a month might cause leaders to reassess the way they use stop loss. As I stated in an earlier post the funds for stop lossed Soldiers should come directly out of the division level funds, which would stop the blanket stop loss practice. DA applies stop loss when the division requests the Soldier by name and SSN.

We demand that our Soldiers live up to their word everyday and we ourselves (NCO’s and Officers) lead lives of double standards by allowing the abuses of stop loss to continue. If we are really taking care of our Soldiers needs we will fight to get them exempt from the stop loss policy. Almost every NCOER in the duties and scopes block will start off something like this “Responsible for the health, welfare, training and morale of X amount of Soldiers”. If are truly focusing on our duties and scopes we would fight to help get these guys out instead of spending a heck of a lot more effort keeping them in. Time we face that fact and stop abusing Soldiers just because of a legal loophole. Paying them for the extra time we are demanding is not unrealistic; it’s taking care of our Soldiers.

Now that you have told your story instead of just attacking PART of my message, I advise you to get a lawyer if you want out now. Your contract is specific about an eight year requirement and if you’re being held past that, you have a breach of contract dispute, plain and simple.

Finally, I work in the SF world. I haven’t seen an M16 since watching the History Channel. I work directly with Infantry units on combat patrols and kicking down doors. I’ve got probably better weapons than you’ve ever seen. Next time, try to pull the phallus out of your mouth long enough to articulate your point without ignorance and stupidity. You might actually get somewhere and put across an educational argument. You are educated, aren’t you?

Dan, you’re as useless as I thought and I’d ensure you left with a dishonorable discharge. Yes you are useless and proof that the Stop Loss bonus is being wasted.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I am 27, I enlisted in the Army after high school. I have served beyond MY EIGHT YEARS! I reenlisted once to fulfill my 8 year obligation. And by the way it’s called “inactive reserve” My ETS date was Nov. 27 2007! We deployed two days afterwards. So I served my eight years. I am sure I could have fought it, but took it like a grain of salt. Im still here too! So I am more than deserving of the stop loss money!!! Guess what? I’m getting it too! Don’t blame the stop loss bill on you not receiving new weapons or armor! Not my fault your not in a combat mos and have to walk around with the M-16! The Army has been using the same weapon systems forever. Where I’m at we have all the new armored vehicles! Blame your bunk ass unit!
All I know is, it is election year and I got my money! Your logic sucks, get over it!

Eat a Dick Bitch! I’m sad I even share the same uniform as you! By the way, to be my First Sergeant you’ll have to be in the infantry and a BEAST! You can’t be on profile! So your eliminated from contention!

Be still my bleeding heart. Let me just be clear that I never said I have any “pull”. This is political, plain and simple. If it weren’t an election year, your precious money would never have come up. Money that you don’t deserve that could better be spent on better weapons and armor. Congratulations on your windfall monthly bonus!! You should be proud. Both of you need to read your contracts that you signed up for 8 YEARS!!

Dan, you’re an ignorant Soldier that probably shouldn’t even be worth the stop loss. You can’t even communicate without profanity. Glad I’m not YOUR First Sergeant. That poor guy must have his hands full.