Computers for the Troops

[Matt R]

This may be a long shot, but my buddy in Iraq just called me and put out a feeler for some computers for the guys in Iraq. If anyone has a used computer that can run XP and is internet ready and would like to donate it to our guys over seas, let me know. Obviously laptops would be easier to ship, but I think they'd take anything they could get their hands on. Currently most guys are sharing between 4-5 people. If that number was reduced, more guys could e-mail home more often. So, if you're interested, PM me and I can get you mailing information. Thanks!!

 

[grateful1]

PM Sent

 

[Saxjazzman]

The real kicker here is that you are talking about free access that the Gov supplies. In some places it is like ten people to a computer, if there is one available. They can always go to the Internet Cafe's that private contractors run and get ripped off. Last time I was there they were charging $3+ dollars an hour because of lack of access to other computers.

 

[AVB]

Supporting the troops is nice, I was one for half my career but a computer can be had for just over one month's combat pay ($225) plus they are making tax free income. I've been there and done that but this is pushing it. IMO.

 

[jgohlke]

Hey, it's all relative. Once upon a time, $200 was a lot of money to me and a laptop was way down the list, below food, baby formula and rent....

I remember spending several Saturdays driving the Chaplain to the commissary to buy groceries...he'd pay with food stamps that he could get for the troops but they were too proud to pick up...commissary folks would let him buy a couple hundred dollars worth of food...we'd load up the truck and go delivering. We walk in with a couple of bags of groceries, he'd have a little visit with the family, say a prayer and we'd leave. One thing about going visiting with the Chaplain...nobody refuses you and everybody is nice and rank don't mean squat when the chaplain is on your doorstep.

I worked with a bunch of guys that had families and fell below the poverty line. Pretty sucky that you can be a soldier and still qualify for food stamps.

Standing in their house, watching the guy squirm and the wife fight back tears...it made an impression on me that I carry to this day.

I'd be happy to send them an old laptop if I had one....

 

[Matt R]

AVB, while I understand your sentiments, my buddy is no mooch and wouldn't ask if they didn't need it. These guys don't get much over there, from what he tells me. Most of these guys have families are are not really interested in spending their combat pay for a computer. They'd rather put some food on the table for their kids. The main jest of this request was not for someone to go out and buy a pc for people they don't know, who should be provided this type of thing by our government anyway, but that's a different story. He asked if our company had a donation program for used pcs. We don't, but I thought maybe some of the other guys here might work for someone who does, since there's a lot of folks in the computer business who post here. So, if my post was misleading, I apologize.

 

[AVB]

I'm not going to get into the supposed inequalities of service pay but it is the only job that pays you extra for being married or having kids. Thank you for your concern Matt and I wish you luck in helping your friend.

 

[Saxjazzman]

Hey, it's all relative. Once upon a time, $200 was a lot of money to me and a laptop was way down the list, below food, baby formula and rent....

I remember spending several Saturdays driving the Chaplain to the commissary to buy groceries...he'd pay with food stamps that he could get for the troops but they were too proud to pick up...commissary folks would let him buy a couple hundred dollars worth of food...we'd load up the truck and go delivering. We walk in with a couple of bags of groceries, he'd have a little visit with the family, say a prayer and we'd leave. One thing about going visiting with the Chaplain...nobody refuses you and everybody is nice and rank don't mean squat when the chaplain is on your doorstep.

I worked with a bunch of guys that had families and fell below the poverty line. Pretty sucky that you can be a soldier and still qualify for food stamps.

Standing in their house, watching the guy squirm and the wife fight back tears...it made an impression on me that I carry to this day.

I'd be happy to send them an old laptop if I had one....

You are right about that chaplain thing. They can do things no one else can. The other side of the coin, the down side of their job is when the chaplain is knocking on the door dressed in greens and about to tell you someone you love is not coming back again. That sucks, but they do it as well as one can. I know they rather bring groceries.

 

[Saxjazzman]

AVB, while I understand your sentiments, my buddy is no mooch and wouldn't ask if they didn't need it. These guys don't get much over there, from what he tells me. Most of these guys have families are are not really interested in spending their combat pay for a computer. They'd rather put some food on the table for their kids. The main jest of this request was not for someone to go out and buy a pc for people they don't know, who should be provided this type of thing by our government anyway, but that's a different story. He asked if our company had a donation program for used pcs. We don't, but I thought maybe some of the other guys here might work for someone who does, since there's a lot of folks in the computer business who post here. So, if my post was misleading, I apologize.

No need to apologize. Where I am, we try to collect stuff for soldiers. We have not done computers, but it is a good idea. I will pass it on to people who may be able to help.

An interesting point, New York Magazine did a study on salaries a couple of months back and they showed that a Specialist in Iraq makes less than a pan handler in New York. Any extra money the soldiers make gets often eaten up on the wife's end in trying to do things by herself for a year while her husband is away, ie. child care, travelling to relatives for support, etc. (or by the husband when his wife is in combat, which is not uncommon) Thanks for caring.

 

[AVB]

The RMC for an E-4 with a wife and kid is over $44,000 (average) if he was in the US. Overseas in a Combat Zone it approaches $50K due to Combat pay and being tax free. Now a good panhandler can probably pull about the same if he has a prime location but not EVERYONE of them can do it. Nice spin but it doesn't fly.

US RMC Calculator

An interesting point, New York Magazine did a study on salaries a couple of months back and they showed that a Specialist in Iraq makes less than a pan handler in New York.

 

[Lopaka]

The only difference in pay for those with kids and single members is the amount of BAH. Which goes towards housing.

Our pay stays identical for base pay and BAS. One can argue that the BAH should stay the same for an E-1 with kids or E-1 that's single however, the military is mandated that you have to have x amount of rooms based upon number of children and their sex.

Also, what this doesn't show is some area's have enlisted in horrible housing situations because they can't afford any better even with BAH. Also, there are some family's that are struggling making ends meet even though our housing is payed for as mandated by Congress. I'm not trying to argue for sending computers to the troops. I just want to make sure that people don't think we are making lots of cash. I looked at that site and don't see close to the 47K it claims I get.

However, when we are deployed the Tax free is nice. So, I can't complain about that. So I agree with you AVB. However, Matt try contacting a local VFW or American Legion because sometimes they can help. My VFW post is sending supply's to some of the troops in Iraq because where they are located they don't have a BX/PX.

Lopaka

 

[AVB]

Maybe the Air force is different but if you were single and lived on post you wouldn't get BAS either. At least in my day which I admit is a few years back now.

 

[Lopaka]

They changed it a few years ago and everyone in the military gets BAS now. Those living in the dorms get BAS, however, a percentage is taken out because they eat at the chow hall, whether they use it or not.

 

[AVB]

I'll stand corrected on BAS, thanks for the info.

 

[tone-ny]

I'll stand corrected on BAS, thanks for the info.

Damn you are old!

 

[Lopaka]

Well, if you were in now, the complaint from the single dorm rats wouldn't be "we should get BAS" now it's "We should the full BAS that the rest of you get. I don't eat at the chow hall all the time."

You can imagine what most of our answers to that complaint is. :laugh:

 

[jgohlke]

50 grand? Holy crap.

I went and looked this number up in my SS statement....my first full year as a single enlisted guy...I made $5,615.

Man I'm glad those days are gone....

 

[JHolmes763]

A lot of the housing for the Army is going privatized, so even families living on post get BAH, but it all goes directly to the commercial company running the housing units.

As for the computers, I'm sure there are many that could really make some use of them. As the signal guy, though, I have to wonder what networks they're hooking these random computers up to... ??

---John Holmes...

 

[Devil Doc]

...and I was grateful for a little rum and hardtack?

Doc.

 

[Saxjazzman]

...and I was grateful for a little rum and hardtack?

Doc.

Not to be disrespecfull of your age Doc, but we stopped paying in Rum and Hardtack awhile back. I think we now pay in money!!!! :whistling:

( I should talk about the age, while I have been in, the army has changed its uniforms three times!!) :blush: