The figures below are in NZ lire NZ$0.63 = US$1.00 tree hugging,sandle wearing' rug munches that make up the NZ Govt!

SAS soldiers on $4.57 an hour to hunt Osama

30.04.06

By David Fisher

Family members of the Special Air Service have spoken of their distress over the poor pay of New Zealand's most elite soldiers.

They have broken a code of silence to question whether the country is taking for granted the small group of men who are sent to some of the world's most dangerous countries.

SAS troopers have spent the past few years searching Afghanistan's mountainous border with Pakistan for signs of al Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden.

Yet most earn only $40,000 to $50,000-$20,000 less than special tactics troops at home. Based on the army's contract with a soldier to be on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, their base rate could be as low as $4.57 an hour.

If the soldiers went to work privately - as many are - they could earn $1500 a day in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Defence headquarters has confirmed to the Herald on Sunday that the SAS met new defence force chief Major General Jerry Mateparae this month. A spokeswoman said the SAS troopers were told they would not receive a pay rise this year - but neither would other Defence Force staff.

A family member, who had discussed the issue with other families, said: "They are proud of what they do, and they are proud of the Army. They enjoy going to work every day and they love their jobs.

"But it's not about them - it's about the families. It's about the families feeling the boys are underpaid and undervalued.

"We're proud of what these boys do. They are the best and it feels like a slap in the face they are not remunerated. They do such a good job and they are being ripped off."

It is rare for anyone associated with the secretive force of elite soldiers to come forward. Government policy is to keep a code of silence over the activities of the soldiers.

Were it not for a slip by the United States, the public would never have known the SAS was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation from President George W. Bush for service in Afghanistan between October 2001 and March 2002.

The family member said there were tense and difficult times for those left at home when the soldiers were posted abroad.

"We don't know what they do - and they don't tell us - but we worry. We know they are going away and there is a high likelihood it is somewhere dangerous. We worry about them all the time."

In speaking with the Herald on Sunday, the family member would comment only about families' feelings on the pay issue and refused to discuss any other matter. The issue had been recently discussed among the soldiers' families, and had caused questions to be asked of the soldiers' devotion to duty.

"They are loyal to the New Zealand Army and they don't have to be. They know there's an easier option. We [the families] complain but wouldn't ever hear them complain.

"Money isn't important until you're taken for granted. They know they can get a lot more in Iraq. I've encouraged my [family member] to look at other options because of the money. If they're going to be in danger anyway, they may as well earn decent money for it."

The family member said the low pay made little economic sense, given the millions it cost to train each elite soldier. It was low pay that led to many of the soldiers leaving the SAS in search of better pay elsewhere - a loss of the investment in training.

The families were not looking for huge pay rises - they compared their pay with the base rate of $72,000 earned by the police Special Tactics Group, which occasionally trains with the SAS.

The family member said questions about pay rarely occurred to the soldiers. Many joined the army as teenagers and were trained exhaustively to accept everything the Defence Force threw at them.

It was only when they settled into relationships that the need for cash became obvious. Most of the soldiers in relationships were not the main earners, and relied on their partners to pay the bills. When it came time to start a family, most soldiers were faced with the prospect of increased expenses and a low income.

"They are extremely professional. They do everything they are asked and do it to the highest of standards. They are the elite. That's one of the reasons they would never complain about their salaries. It's not the done thing if you're a soldier. If a soldier goes on strike it's considered treason."

A statement from the Defence Force said staff received housing assistance, free clothing, funding of higher level education and a superannuation scheme. The entire package was worth $10,000 to $15,000. SAS soldiers also got a range of hazardous and arduous duties allowances to compensate for environmental or combat conditions.

"The New Zealand Defence Force does not benchmark against private security contractors and is unable to match the wages these organisations can offer. Often high wages attract high risk in the international security sector."

The statement said the SAS won a premium for its skills in a 2004 review. The Herald on Sunday understands the premium is about 15 per cent.

Most governments like to screw their grunts.

SNAFU

Most governments like to screw their grunts.

SNAFU

It's something that I find hard to understand.

Most governments like to screw their grunts.

SNAFU

It's something that I find hard to understand.

There was a time not too long ago that Privates and Corporals in the Canadian Forces qualified for welfare payments, especially if they were married, and definitely if they had children. Their annual salaries were below what was considered the poverty line. It embarrassed the government so much that we received a number of pay increases in short order.

Things are better these days, but far below what regional and national police make in their first years of service. When sent to places like Afghanistan, the troops receive additional pay, depending on the mission, location and degree of hazard.

Recently, the government passed a bill whereby all the salary the troops earn while overseas is tax-free.

Any soldiers sent on a "tour" usually do 6 months overseas, then they remain in Canada for 1 year (they can't be sent overseas within a year unless they volunteer). That measure was brought in as it was discovered that there were more and more military families breaking up, due to the soldier/sailor/airman being sent away again and again, with no regards to his/her spouse and family.

(For example, my first year in Germany, I was away from the base for just over 9 months total. I was single so it was no big deal, but a lot of married members ended up divorced.)

Most governments like to screw their grunts.

SNAFU

It's something that I find hard to understand.

Yeah, especially when they have the weapons.

Most governments like to screw their grunts.

SNAFU

It's something that I find hard to understand.

Yeah, especially when they have the weapons.

You can only get away with it in democratic countries. Well, most democratic countries.

When I joined (back in '81), I received a pre-tax salary of $900 per month ($1.25 an hour if you work it out over 30 days, 24 hours a day as in the original story). 22 years later, I was earning a whopping $3,600/month (or $5.00/hour).

I was so proud when I showed my dad my pay-stub after completing basic training. Then he showed me his. He was paying more in Federal Income taxes every two weeks, than I was grossing in a month

He figured that meant he was paying my salary and the salary of one of my buddies. Then he told me to go mow the lawn

Marines are treated like sh*t from day one. Marines are supposed to be treated like sh*t.

If they weren't treated like sh*t, they wouldn't be Marines.

The Gates of Heaven are guarded by the the United States Marines. They have already served their time in hel_l!

Marines are treated like sh*t from day one. Marines are supposed to be treated like sh*t.

If they weren't treated like sh*t, they wouldn't be Marines.

The Gates of Heaven are guarded by the the United States Marines. They have already served their time in hel_l!

Good post Ulysses G.

No truer words...

Marines are treated like sh*t from day one. Marines are supposed to be treated like sh*t.

If they weren't treated like sh*t, they wouldn't be Marines.

The Gates of Heaven are guarded by the the United States Marines. They have already served their time in hel_l!

Good post Ulysses G.

No truer words...

Other Countries do have soldiers like marines too ya know lads.

Marines are treated like sh*t from day one. Marines are supposed to be treated like sh*t.

If they weren't treated like sh*t, they wouldn't be Marines.

The Gates of Heaven are guarded by the the United States Marines. They have already served their time in hel_l!

Good post Ulysses G.

No truer words...

Other Countries do have soldiers like marines too ya know lads.

For sure...

No worries - I ain't waving the Flag no more.

Well apart from dosh - there is load of other bene(s) that aren't factored into the grunts salary.

However that being said - a nice increase is in order.

Well apart from dosh - there is load of other bene(s) that aren't factored into the grunts salary.

However that being said - a nice increase is in order.

Yeah, people tend to forget about the "intangibles" and non-monetary benefits. Things like free room and board while on tour. Free medical and dental. Tax/Duty free items in the canteens/exchanges/messes. Extra vacation time. Free flights (in some cases). Tax breaks, ect.

I believe the salary quoted in the OP was probably just the base salary, and didn't include the extras (if they get any), like overseas pay, hazard pay, UN/NATO allowances and so on. When I was in Croatia in '92/'93, those "extras" paid for my entire 12 day trip to Thailand (including airfare).

Still though. You train these guys to a very high standard and then send them to places like Afghanistan and Iraq, and pay them base salaries less than a first year police officer (by Canadian standards).

Don't they have the 'GI Bill' in the US? How does that work?

no better not - nothing to see here, move along.

Don't they have the 'GI Bill' in the US? How does that work?

You agree to serve the time they ask of you, I think it's around four years, and then when you get out you have money given to you for college funds.

Don't they have the 'GI Bill' in the US? How does that work?

You agree to serve the time they ask of you, I think it's around four years, and then when you get out you have money given to you for college funds.

Do they pay for you to go right through college or is it a fixed amount? I'm just curious. I don't think there's anything like it in the UK. I think it's a brilliant idea.

Don't they have the 'GI Bill' in the US? How does that work?

You agree to serve the time they ask of you, I think it's around four years, and then when you get out you have money given to you for college funds.

Do they pay for you to go right through college or is it a fixed amount? I'm just curious. I don't think there's anything like it in the UK. I think it's a brilliant idea.

Ya know I would have to get some more information, but I believe it's fixed, but it's a large amount. It should be enogh for most colleges, with few being an exception. Even if is doesn't cover all the cost of the college you choose, you can apply for financial aid to cover the rest. It's a good deal of you are willing to serve for four years.

Stop complaining, should have joined the real commonwealth military hehe.. as in the British Army.

I never complained about the pay or conditions.....

no better not - nothing to see here, move along.

If the real Gent/Tornado has been to some sort of therapy for anger management and Internet forum addiction, I wish that he would pass on his secret to me.

It seems to be working!

no better not - nothing to see here, move along.

If the real Gent/Tornado has been to some sort of therapy for anger management and Internet forum addiction, I wish that he would pass on his secret to me.

It seems to be working!

I just got bored arguing with dick heads.

missed a bit of banter with a few though - oh, I must also add, I was suspended for 6 months, so that had a little bit to do with it.

no better not - nothing to see here, move along.

If the real Gent/Tornado has been to some sort of therapy for anger management and Internet forum addiction, I wish that he would pass on his secret to me.

It seems to be working!

I just got bored arguing with dick heads.

missed a bit of banter with a few though - oh, I must also add, I was suspended for 6 months, so that had a little bit to do with it.

Well, good to see your sorry ass back here again.

Just like old times?

no better not - nothing to see here, move along.

If the real Gent/Tornado has been to some sort of therapy for anger management and Internet forum addiction, I wish that he would pass on his secret to me.

It seems to be working!

I just got bored arguing with dick heads.

missed a bit of banter with a few though - oh, I must also add, I was suspended for 6 months, so that had a little bit to do with it.

Well, good to see your sorry ass back here again.

Just like old times?

If butterfy was here....

no better not - nothing to see here, move along.

If the real Gent/Tornado has been to some sort of therapy for anger management and Internet forum addiction, I wish that he would pass on his secret to me.

It seems to be working!

I just got bored arguing with dick heads.

missed a bit of banter with a few though - oh, I must also add, I was suspended for 6 months, so that had a little bit to do with it.

Well, good to see your sorry ass back here again.

Just like old times?

The old times are just that Booners. I think we all are happier that those days are over.

Anyway inbred, Ill see you on the other political site. (Im amazed you havent guessed who I am over there yet.)

Anyway inbred, Ill see you on the other political site. (Im amazed you havent guessed who I am over there yet.)

Not hard to suss...you're Nomad...

He no mad jing lor?

He no mad jing lor?

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