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From the Forums

Respecting rank

At the same paygrade, some ranks are more respected in one service than in others. I’m an E-6 in the Navy, and I’m fully aware Marine E-6s are the most respected. Navy Chiefs are the most respected E-7s in our military, but Army first sergeants beat all other E-8s, hands down.

I really don’t know what the purpose is of an Air Force E-9 other than to pester me at work and waste my time. Really, I would say Air Force enlisted ranks of every sort are the least respected just about every time. Marines, on the other hand, actually get respect that’s about on par with their rank.

Redefine criteria for commission

Test scores are not a good basis for accepting or denying Marines a chance to become an officer. I say go with FitReps, time in service, time in grade, recommendations, deployments. A 500-word essay? Really? I can write 500 words just naming where I have been in the Corps.

Who to blame for bump in pay

Congress will bump the 2010 pay raise proposed by President Barack Obama from 2.9 to 3.4 percent. Now who do you want to burn? Obama for not supporting the military enough? Or Congress for overspending and making our national debt that much more? I like getting raises every year, no matter what the number might be.

— WILDJOKER5

Belt tightening

Are you eating even more Ramen these days? How has the global financial crisis changed the way you spend your paycheck?

Buildup in afghanistan

Been recently? There now? Tell us about the living conditions. Is Farah province as ‘comfy’ as Anbar?

The Dover policy

Have your views changed any since the media has begun to document the return of fallen U.S. troops?