Appreciation
Having just returned from a 6 month deployment as a UK exchange pilot with Uncle Sam, I just wanted to make a few points about the different conditions under which we serve!
I will start by saying that the grass is definitely not greener, and I never thought I would say that I would miss HMS Invincible, but it certainly beat life on a USN LHD (no bar and no ramp).
However, my observations are more on the financial side. As soon as we deployed, everyone on the boat received a monthly seperation payment (except me) which I think was around $100 or so a month. As soon as we passed through the Suez Canal everyone received their salary tax free (except me) for the next 5 months and 2 pilots that flew into The Balkans (can't spell Sarajevo!) for 2 hours got 6 months tax free. Everyone also was paid $250 a month 'Imminent Danger Pay' for 5 months (except me), oh and by the way they also get paid an allowance for housing instead of having to pay Married Quarter Charges.
Well what about me as the only Brit on the boat - Pusser kindly cut my LOA as I was no longer in the US (despite still paying MQ charges on our house there) and LOA (or whatever it is called now) of 6 pounds a day.
As I said, the grass is definitely not greener on the other side, but there are Marines volunteering to keep deploying because there is a huge financial benefit involved. I don't think that Brown's 2 grand for 6 months is really on a par with that!!
One of the biggest difference over here is the support that the Armed Services get from the American public. Wherever we go we are constantly being thanked for serving (even over the radio by Air Trafficers) and it gives some satisfaction for the sacrifices we have to make with our families. The American Forces Network is constantly broadcasting messages of support from the US public and sporting and Hollywood stars. You could describe it as the 'typically American', but it certainly made me feel appreciated. All I get from my Mother is emails asking when I am going to get a real job so I can spend some time with my family!!