Linda Ayres’ Post

Recent revelations about the neglect of barracks housing by our military leadership, as admitted by Gen. Eric Smith, the Marine Commandant, are a troubling indicator of deeper issues within our military funding and operational priorities. These revelations are not just about the physical state of military living quarters; they symbolize a disturbing trend in how the sacrifices of our service members are often overlooked by those who do not share directly in the burdens of war. For decades, the United States has engaged in overseas conflicts with a financial strategy markedly different from past wars. Historically, wars were accompanied by national mobilization: taxes increased, bonds were sold, and the draft was enacted, ensuring that the whole nation shared in the sacrifices. However, the Global War on Terrorism deviated from this path. Instead, we saw tax cuts at home while our soldiers faced the realities of war, a stark contradiction to the notion of shared sacrifice that underpins democratic engagement in military conflict. This dissonance between the home front and the battlefield is exacerbated by a military hierarchy that too often prioritizes career advancement over the welfare of the soldiers. High-ranking officers, driven by personal ambition, have at times advocated for prolonged conflicts or accepted missions without demanding corresponding increases in support for the troops. This ambition can lead to decisions that prolong soldiers' exposure to danger unnecessarily and keep them living in substandard conditions. It is unconscionable that our service members, who stand on the front lines of freedom, should have to endure inadequate living conditions or lack the full backing of their country. If the funding isn't there to ensure both their effective deployment and their humane treatment at home, then perhaps it's a conflict we should reconsider. Our soldiers’ commitment to our nation is not a blank check for military or political leaders to pursue unresolved or poorly justified conflicts that ultimately cost more than they yield. This ongoing situation raises fundamental questions about our national values and the moral obligations we hold towards those we send into harm's way. It is not just a matter of military policy but a reflection of our societal principles. We must remember that each decision to extend a deployment, each choice to prioritize equipment over essential living conditions, profoundly impacts real people who deserve better from their leaders and their country. The notion that the very individuals who defend our nation might be required to fund their own battles through cuts to essential services like housing is unacceptable. This isn't just a misstep; it's a grievance that demands acknowledgment and apology. True support for our military means ensuring that the costs of war are never balanced on the backs of those who fight.

If you’re an Ohio resident, serving on active duty, read this. 💵 Most active duty servicemembers are aware of Servicemember Civil Relief Act protections. If you're not, go google it. What's less known is that Ohio extends protections far past those outlined within the SCRA. Specifically, Ohio extends #SCRA benefits for debt incurred *while* on active duty. 📑 7.1. Interest Rate Cap To help ease financial burdens created by active military service, Section 527 of the SCRA extends the 6% interest cap on all debts, not just those incurred prior to #activeduty. Due to these unique protections, if you are an Ohio resident, presently serving on active duty, a creditor must forgive - not defer - interest greater than six percent per year. 📑 50 U.S.C. 3937(a)(2). The creditor must forgive this interest retroactively. See id. at 3937(a) (1) & (b) (2). The creditor is also prohibited from accelerating the payment of principal in response to a properly made request for a six percent interest rate cap. Id. at 3937(a) (3). To apply these benefits, contact your creditor, provide the associated information and verifying documentation of service and residency. 💡 for what it’s worth, Amex got back to an Ohio Marine yesterday and went far beyond the 6 percent, reducing their interest to 0 percent. 📸: wasn’t sure what pic to use, so here’s a fish and me in my Ohio hat. *This post and the comments within are for informational purposes, only. They do not consisted financial advice. _________ #cleveland #akron #ohio #veteransstrengtheningamerica #semperfi #military #militaryfamilies #betheone Matt // Justin // Mark // Albert

Community + Military + Trust = 😃 Often times, active duty service members will flag an issue to surrounding communities, which they could otherwise not discuss, for one reason or another. For instance, I was not initially tracking the proposed homeowners insurance rate hikes. A #marine, who lived along the coast, was told he couldn’t testify at the state capitol regarding the hikes and their impact on quality of life. So, I testified. Years back, I was quite vocal about concerns surrounding the COVID vaccine and its inconsistent implementation across the Marine Corps. Nearly every concern I voiced was merely an amplification of concerns from SEAs and COs in the greater 5 county area. Most recently, I sat through recruiting sessions which were objectively frustrating to the #Marines in the room. Politics abound, they felt they couldn’t speak up, so I took down their concerns. When we look at successful defense communities, there is one common thread across them all - they are the voice of the base. Whether it’s milcon, policy, or programming, no one knows better than the marines what is needed. But often times, no one can advocate for those things quite like their civilian counterparts. When communities listen to and effectively relay base concerns, you see success. Alternatively, when the trust between community and commands erodes, you see significant struggles. If at any point the bases cannot trust their surrounding community to properly advocate on their behalf, fissures will grow. In larger teams, like Allies for Cherry Point or NCMAC, you’ll find we tend to have passion projects, or areas we’re a bit more focused on than others. For instance, I track the budget and milcon, but solely to back-fill when someone else isn’t available in conversations. My specialty is “people.” If you need to know what the Marines are thinking about any given topic, at any given time, that’s where I come in. Whatever your passion is, identify it, lean in, and use it to support the base. #semperfi 📸: that’s my best friend ☺️ ____________ Association of Defense Communities (ADC) #marinecorps #2maw #2mef #northcarolina #militaryaffairs #milcon #defense #veteransstrengtheningamerica #betheone

Did you know? You have numerous options to contribute to WWFS and aid in funding programs that benefit the well-being and health of our nation's veterans and their families. Find out more: wwfs.org #veterans #resources #support #WWFS #donatetoday #TogetherWeServe

🎖️ 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞; 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐟𝐟. 🚒 At True North Advisory LLC, we believe that those who dedicate their lives to serving others deserve nothing but the best in financial guidance. Whether you're a Veteran, an Active Duty member, a Reservist, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Firefighter, or an Emergency Medical Personnel, your commitment to service is unparalleled. Now, it's time to apply that same dedication to securing your financial future. 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝟮-𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟭 𝙖𝙩 𝟮 𝙋𝙈—a comprehensive course where we'll delve into the 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 to help you build a strong financial foundation. We'll also cover various techniques and strategies to efficiently manage your debt, setting you on the path to financial stability and success. 🔗 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘶𝘱 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮! https://lnkd.in/es2jbNGp Our mission is to provide tailored financial services and support that help you realize your business goals and dreams. Just as you've stood as a pillar of strength for your community, we're here to stand by you, offering strategies and tools designed to level the playing field and create opportunities for all. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your future. Your dedication to service is a testament to your resilience and strength. It's time for your financial efforts to pay off. 🔗 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 2-𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺! https://lnkd.in/es2jbNGp #TrueNorthAdvisory #FinancialFreedom #Veterans #Military #FirstResponders #FinancialPlanning #FinancialSecurity #DedicatedToYou #FinancialChallenge

It's not just about the charming quirks of military housing—like the occasional indoor rain from leaks through electrical wiring, the surprise cold showers that last for weeks or months, the 'vintage' heating systems that decide to retire early, the cracks in walls that compete with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge or the rats that don’t understand we can’t sub-let. Most military families normalise and accept these challenges. It builds resilience and character doesn’t it? It’s all part of the adventure. If you don’t like it leave. Put your big boy/girl panties on and deal with it. But the Kerslake Commission's latest report, "Homes Unfit for Heroes," turns a serious spotlight on the issues that go far beyond a faulty boiler: 🔵 The hit to the physical and mental health of our troops and their families 🔵 The lack of tenant rights 🔵 The career juggling act for partners 🔵 Recruiting personnel 🔵 Retaining top-notch talent from marching out of the door 🔵 Making sure military families can live together 🔵 Facilitating visitation for separated families 🔵 Empowering and supporting Service Personnel to have their voices on accommodation heard. Read the report in full: https://lnkd.in/gKAF4NgR #MilitaryAccomodation #KerslakeCommission #MilitaryHousing Cerise Upham Heledd Kendrick Chloe Mackay Alistair Halliday Caroline Woodward James Murphy Leigh Tingey MSc FInstRE Johnny Mercer Rupert Anderson Wendy Faux MBE Rupert Frere Army Families Federation (AFF) James Banks Tim Unwin Vanessa Plumley MBE Brendan Sarsfield Terrie Alafat Darren Rodwell

The way you set up your beneficiary designations on your insurance policy can significantly impact its effectiveness, how it’s used, and who controls it after you die. 😯In this blog, we'll explore how to name beneficiaries to ensure your loved ones have the funds they need to thrive when something happens to you. 🤗 Read it now. ▶️ https://lnkd.in/g67fq7Dy #compasslegalplanning #compasslegalplanningOK #estateplanning #willsandtrusts #OKestateplanningattorney #powerofattorney #healthcaredirectives #kidsprotectionplan #assetprotection #buildyourlegacy #familylegacy #outdooradventure #OKmom #OKdad #OKveterans #OKmilitary #guidingfamiliesforward

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭? A VA property management firm recently settled with the DOJ for $13k over allegations they violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The company allegedly denied lawful lease terminations and imposed improper fees on a Navy servicemember who received PCS orders. This reminds us that SCRA protections must be fully honored for military renters. However, I worry ambiguous state/federal overlaps could lead to inadvertent violations even with good intent. We must educate on exact SCRA requirements. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞.  I think most firms want to support servicemembers. But compliance has costs, so it's tricky to avoid passing those to non-military renters. Where should that burden fall? What oversight is needed while being mindful of impacts on housing supply? As real estate professionals, we must do right by military families. But SCRA intricacies also create challenges. So, I welcome your thoughts on balancing meaningful compliance with unintended consequences. #rentpost #leaselords

The Truth About Wealth Inequality: Exposing the 1 Percent Discover the alarming reality of wealth concentration and how it affects the average person. Uncover the staggering ownership of major corporations and its impact on real estate and the stock market. Learn about the financial influence that military contractors have on our defense budget. It's time to rethink the distribution of wealth. #WealthInequalityExposed #FinancialInfluence #RealEstateOwnership #StockMarketInsights #DistributionOfWealth #MilitaryContractors #1PercentReality #FinancialInequality #WealthDistribution #EconomicInjustice #Republican #Democrat #GOP #CAGOP #SerpaforCongress #FYP #foryoupage #CA39 #Riverside #Perris #JurupaValley #MorenoValley #Congress #California #Unite