While I was still on active duty I had to attend a dinner, one of many, that included several top military and civilian VIPs and "base" politicians. You that have been in the military know what I mean by that last comment. We were told to be courteous, don't ask political questions etc. One of those VIPs was a congressman from our county. Being the non politician that I was I asked him some questions concerning military pay and retirement vs congressional pay and retirement. Specifically, why the disparity. One answer was he had to maintain two homes. One in Washington and one in North Carolina. Another was his travel to which I replied that his travel was reimbursable. Then he had to maintain three offices. Again, to which I replied his office in Washington was paid for by the people and one of his offices was in his home. Then I asked why he would get full retirement after serving one term and I would get 50% after 20 years. He said that he was on call 24 hours a day and that there were several times that they worked over 24 hours discussing bills and voting. Had to spend a lot of time away from home and family. All the travel etc. and a lot of stuff he couldn't discuss. I also reminded him that he was a multimillionaire lawyer and farmer.
I mentioned that I was on call 24/7, had been called back from leave on several occasions, worked 32 hours non stop on one deployment, got three hours sleep and was called back to work. Had a family to support while I was off doing what we do. Was put on a plane in the middle of the night with sealed orders and no idea where we were headed, again more than once. Spent time in a combat zone. Spent time in some scary countries that didn't like us. Ate C-rations and slept on cold ground. And some other comments. By that time he was looking for the door. He did say that no one forced me to stay in. To which I said "you are correct sir, but no one twisted your arm to run for congress either".
At the direction of the base commander, I was reprimanded by the squadron CO the next duty day. He placed the reprimand in my file as directed by the base CO. Then he pulled it at the end of the day and it disappeared. I wasn't invited to anymore affairs either.