My income as a married Air Force E-3 in 1963 was $19 every two weeks plus a $105 allotment once a month. This included payment for food and off base housing. I was stationed in Germany, so the saving grace was the cheap price of that wonderful beer.
My Dad is on record as joining the National Guard in 1938 for the munificent $2 / day, 1 weekend a month PLUS the annual 2 weeks summer ‘activation’. He actually drilled with them for 6 months off the roll to get to the head of the line to join.
He still loves to tell how he explained to his CO how much he would rather stay an E5 than become an “Officer and Gentleman” in 1940 (free food/free uniforms etc versus ‘officers pay’). The CO listened politely and then said, “I wasn’t asking, I was telling …”
He retired as a full Colonel after 27 years, ETO, Korea & Vietnam - 100% disability. Still with us at 93, thank God!
@ses1066: Cool, my grandfather* was in the Army/NCNG Starting with the Pancho Villa expedition, then WW1, the 20’s&30’s and into WWII. He started as a private and retired as a Major (later honorarily promoted to Lt. Colonel). Not bad for one who dropped out of school in Christmas in the sixth grade.
*for the record, my late father had my kid brother and I at 50/46 respectively.
A very similar joke was done by “Howard Sprague” on the Andy Griffith show when he was telling jokes on a TV amateur show. It was funny then too, although some people in Mayberry didn’t think so.
freeholder1 almost 14 years ago
But at least the country paid them to do it.
hawgowar almost 14 years ago
Not nearly enough. Not even close.
GROG Premium Member almost 14 years ago
More than if you were on welfare.
Yukoner almost 14 years ago
Does that mean that the military is made up entirely of objectionable people?
pbarnrob almost 14 years ago
My first year in the Marine Corps (1964, starting 4 Jan) I made a total of $967 on my W-2 (not including all the great messhall chow, of course!)
Gettin’ rich wasn’t one of the motivations!
Sandfan almost 14 years ago
My income as a married Air Force E-3 in 1963 was $19 every two weeks plus a $105 allotment once a month. This included payment for food and off base housing. I was stationed in Germany, so the saving grace was the cheap price of that wonderful beer.
Dkram almost 14 years ago
An oldie, but a goodie.
\\//_
ses1066 almost 14 years ago
My Dad is on record as joining the National Guard in 1938 for the munificent $2 / day, 1 weekend a month PLUS the annual 2 weeks summer ‘activation’. He actually drilled with them for 6 months off the roll to get to the head of the line to join.
He still loves to tell how he explained to his CO how much he would rather stay an E5 than become an “Officer and Gentleman” in 1940 (free food/free uniforms etc versus ‘officers pay’). The CO listened politely and then said, “I wasn’t asking, I was telling …”
He retired as a full Colonel after 27 years, ETO, Korea & Vietnam - 100% disability. Still with us at 93, thank God!
hossblacksilver almost 14 years ago
@ses1066: Cool, my grandfather* was in the Army/NCNG Starting with the Pancho Villa expedition, then WW1, the 20’s&30’s and into WWII. He started as a private and retired as a Major (later honorarily promoted to Lt. Colonel). Not bad for one who dropped out of school in Christmas in the sixth grade.
*for the record, my late father had my kid brother and I at 50/46 respectively.
rekam Premium Member almost 14 years ago
In this day and age? Not too likely!
Mary McNeil Premium Member almost 14 years ago
A tip of my hat and a thanks to all of you!
freeholder1 almost 14 years ago
Certainly not conscientiously objectionable people, yukoner. :-)
cheetahqueen almost 14 years ago
A HUGE heartfelt thanx to all of the Vets posting here today!!!
alan.gurka almost 14 years ago
The big question is, did they fight on the same side?
arlie00 almost 14 years ago
A very similar joke was done by “Howard Sprague” on the Andy Griffith show when he was telling jokes on a TV amateur show. It was funny then too, although some people in Mayberry didn’t think so.