U.S. losing special forces personnel to higher-paying civilian security

[54anickel]

jobs
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Mar/03302004/nation_w/152521.asp

WASHINGTON -- Senior American commanders and Pentagon officials are warning of an exodus of the military's most seasoned Special Operations forces to higher-paying civilian security jobs, just as those troops are playing an increasingly pivotal role in combating terror and helping conduct stability operations worldwide.
Senior enlisted Army Green Berets or Navy Seals with 20 years or more experience now earn about $50,000 in base pay, and can retire with a $23,000 pension. But private security companies, whose services are in growing demand in Iraq and Afghanistan, are offering salaries of $100,000 to nearly $200,000 a year to the most experienced.
The CIA also is dangling such enticing offers before experienced Special Operations forces that the Pentagon's top official for special operations policy, Thomas O'Connell, told a House committee this month that intergovernmental poaching "is starting to become a significant problem."
Evidence of a drain of seasoned special operators, including elite Delta Force soldiers, is largely anecdotal right now, but the head of the military's Special Operations Command, Gen. Bryan Brown of the Army, is so concerned about what he is hearing from troops in the field that he convened an unusual meeting of his top commanders in Washington last week to discuss the matter. "The retention of our special operating forces is a big issue," Brown said.

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[Mari333]

1. amazing. In 3 years the Bu$h admin has destroyed our Guard and Reserves

they wont be signing back up.
and destroyed lives in every way for PNAC
and now we are left vulnerable, completely vulnerable.
and people are leaving the military in droves.
Where will they get their standing army now?
the draft
http://www.bushdraft.com

wake up america, your kids are next.

http://www.bringthemhomenow.com
bring my kid home now.

[MSgt213]

2. Can anyone blame them? They are making pennies compare to the profits

being made by civilian security firms.

[tlcandie]

3. Those mercs are getting around $1k a day... guess that is the lowest

rung? I guess if you are chancing death and you enjoy the challenge of the man hunt then, hey, get as much $$$ for it as you can? :shrug: