hello! yoshi > military

From the Associated Press: Join the Army, Buy a House?

According to the article, the Army is trying out a new recruitment bonus. If you sign up for 5 years active duty, you will receive $40,000 towards a new house OR a startup business once your commitment is done. Reservists who sign up for 5 years can receive $20,000. There are lower cash incentives for three and four year commitments.

This sounds like a really great idea and a great incentive. I’m just wondering what they’re doing for the veterans. I mean, we served our country too, but how come the new recruits get this now? What are they doing for those who are enlisted now? Well I suppose depending on your job you would get a re-enlistment bonus. But still, I don’t see anything for the veterans.

Of course I can’t say that I’ve seen any combat, but the possibility was always there. There were times when I felt like I was going to Saudi the next day. I guess the benefits we get are supposed to be enough.

So as of late (since yesterday I mean), I’ve been hanging out at the USN - Together We Served website. What is this site? It’s a place for US Navy veterans (like me) and active duty to keep in touch with their shipmates. It’s great. I’ve found a few people with whom I’ve simply just lost touch with. It’s great. I’ve been looking for a few people and have found some of them.

Unfortunately, I can’t find everyone, since they haven’t signed up for the site. I just have to find them another way I suppose.

If you’re in the Navy, then you should check this out. If you were in any other armed forces, they do have sister sites for Marines and the Air Force. I know quite a few people in both the Marines (being a corpsman and all) and the Air Force (ex-AF brat), so I wish there was a way for me to add those people to “my shipmates” list.