In response to the Aug. 3 letter “Factoring in writers’ feedback”: The letter writer started off by stating how much he respects contractors and how many of them are friends of his. But yet, he still continues to cast us in a bad light — as if it is some great sin to be a contractor.

Both of his letters (“Contractors have fewer threats,” July 24) demonstrate his jealousy and pettiness. As a contractor, I net $190,000 (security and intelligence industry) a year and as a retiree with an 80 percent disability rating I earn an additional $38,000, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Putting that aside for a moment, let’s look at how I got to this point in my life.

I am a retired military policeman (sergeant first class/March 2011) with four combat deployments during my 22 years of military service. During one of those deployments I was injured while assaulting a building after an insurgent shot and killed a soldier who was standing guard at an entry control point. The injury resulted in me receiving a total knee replacement at age 32.

I have no issue with the letter writer’s jealousy but I do take issue with him questioning a contractor’s patriotism because some of us make three times his salary. Also, I did not get to where I am just because of my service; I also have three degrees (among them a master’s in homeland security). So, my family and I deserve the $228,000 a year I make because of the sacrifices made during my active-duty service.

The next time the letter writer decides to express his personal hang-ups and hide behind patriotism I suggest he first find out about his targeted audience. Many contractors are retired military members with almost three times the amount of time in service than a young captain. The letter writer should concentrate on his service to the country and, when he chooses to end his service, maybe God will bless him where he can become a contractor, if he has the necessary skill sets.

Sgt. 1st Class Robert L. Harris (retired)

Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan

Let that be the last word

The Aug. 3 letter “Factoring in writers’ feedback” included this statement: “No contractor should try and sell it that he’s doing it for freedom or the American way of life.”

Well, thank goodness nobody voted that letter writer in charge. I thank him for bowing out (promising not to respond again with another letter), and I’ll thank Stars and Stripes for not printing any more of his misguided drivel.

Mike Brotherton

Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan

Migrated