Wow......awsome thread...glad Tu decides that I'm both average and don't deserve a raise. Unlike the average civilian government employee we work long hours, especially deployed. DOD civilians, many of whom I'd like to strangle work 8-4. Those are hard and fast hours and if they're doing something for you, many times they pack up and leave, regardless of what you need. I just spend 13 months deployed...I worked on average from 7AM to 11 PM every day...everyday. The food sucked, the living conditions sucked..the Iraqi's sucked..I was paid well enough but the average American wouldn't put up with the crap we do..never mind heavy combat. I can deal with the current pay raise but I have a ton of time in and make good money..my guys worked the same hours for alot less pay...its not fair to them. There are plenty of places to cut...the military, favored whipping boy of the douchbag left, is'nt one of them.