Public paying for Military P S Perk

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As a taxpayer, I'm really not very happy about this! Anybody else? Most of all, I'm upset about the implants.....because chances are that taxpayers will be paying for social security disability as well when she gets sick. How dumb of our government. Public Paying For Military Plastic Surgery Perk Everything From Breast Implants To Tummy Tucks SlatteryReporting (CBS)

NEW YORK CBS 2's undercover recruits marched into military recruitment centers. And when they asked about a controversial perk, a normally hushed-up Department of Defense benefit is exposed. "I asked about free plastic surgery, anyone who's active duty is eligible," it was explained to one recruit. That's right. Nips and tucks are available for any active duty soldier and except for the cost of implants; they're free of charge. "I think the reason they came out with that is we're trying to get a lot of different types of incentives. It's hard to get people to join," a recruiter told us. So while some are risking their lives on the front lines others are whittling away their waste lines and ridding themselves of wrinkles. Cosmetic surgery is

a hot topic on this military Web site. Type in tummy tuck and you'll find discussions about breast implants, tucks and lipo. In 2003 there were 384 liposuctions, 288 tummy tucks, 261 breast augmentations, 135 facelifts and 69 nose jobs performed in U.S. military hospitals.Using current rates it's a tab of almost $2 million in taxpayer dollars. Military officials say it's money well spent so doctors are prepared to give soldiers injured in the line of duty quality care. Department of Defense officials tell us cosmetic work is only done when there's time and space available. They say it's needed to keep surgeons certified and up on their skills. But try telling that to and Alma Hart, who's 20-year-old son, , was killed in Iraq."A week before he was killed he called to ask us if we could

get body armor, vehicle armor because they were getting shot up in convoys," Alma Hart said. The Harts can't believe the government is spending money on cosmetic surgery while the country is at war. They believe those dollars may have saved their son's life and many more. "I think if had had 600 rounds of ammunition instead of just 200 he might have held out until the Apache helicopter arrived. It's small bucks if you think about it," Alma Hart said. Miranda Carmichael said safety should come first. But, she added, she’s interested in breast augmentation. An army wife and mother of two, she told us she's considering going under the knife. As a dependant she would have to pay a fee but it's much cheaper than what people in the private sector would have to shell out. She's all for the

military's policy on plastic surgery."It's the education and training of soldiers, and you can't do plastic surgery on a dummy," Carmichael said. __________________________________________________