If true, yikes. Who the hell thought up this policy? http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/military.signing.bonuses.2.571660.html Wounded Soldier: Military Wants Part Of Bonus Back PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The U.S. Military is demanding that thousands of wounded service personnel give back signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their commitments. To get people to sign up, the military gives enlistment bonuses up to $30,000 in some cases. Now men and women who have lost arms, legs, eyesight, hearing and can no longer serve are being ordered to pay some of that money back. One of them is Jordan Fox, a young soldier from the South Hills. He finds solace in the hundreds of boxes he loads onto a truck in Carnegie. In each box is a care package that will be sent to a man or woman serving in Iraq. It was in his name Operation Pittsburgh Pride was started. Fox was seriously injured when a roadside bomb blew up his vehicle. He was knocked unconscious. His back was injured and lost all vision in his right eye. A few months later Fox was sent home. His injuries prohibited him from fulfilling three months of his commitment. A few days ago, he received a letter from the military demanding nearly $3,000 of his signing bonus back. "I tried to do my best and serve my country. I was unfortunately hurt in the process. Now they're telling me they want their money back," he explained. It's a slap for Fox's mother, Susan Wardezak, who met with President Bush in Pittsburgh last May. He thanked her for starting Operation Pittsburgh Pride which has sent approximately 4,000 care packages. He then sent her a letter expressing his concern over her son's injuries, so she cannot understand the U.S. Government's apparent lack of concern over injuries to countless U.S. Soldiers and demands that they return their bonuses. While he's unsure of his future, Fox says he's unwavering in his commitment to his country. "I'd do it all over again... because I'm proud of the discipline that I learned. I'm proud to have done something for my country," he said. But Fox feels like he's already given enough. He'll never be able to pursue his dream of being a police officer because of his wounds and he can't believe he's being asked to return part of his $10,000 signing bonus. KDKA contacted Congressman Jason Altmire on his behalf. He says he has proposed a bill that would guarantee soldiers receive full benefit of bonuses.
That's just ridiculous! What happens when he doesn't give them back?? Can they get any lower than that?
whats wrong with it? i mean its cutting government spending. thats the raison d'etre of our conservative brethren right?
I made a thread with a similar premise earlier. This kind of stuff actually happens routinely in military. It just sticks out more during war time. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/archive/index.php/t-135972.html The truth is, the army is lacking cash to keep things running properly. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/washington/21cong.html?ref=world
Which should sound the alarms. The war has been funded in the hundreds of billions routinely, and yet the army is strapped for cash and needs hit up wounded vets for refunds? We need to audit the whole thing. The last one I remember showed a ton of waste and money that was unaccounted for. Someone needs to find out where the money is going.
Doesn't the nfl make players give back money if they can't play? Bush is all about supporting the troops when they can do something for him.
Exactly. It has happen in day 1, if anyone still remember about the issue with combat vest or unarmor humvee. The troops always get strong vocal support and the short end of the materialistic stick. You never heard about contractors complain about funds though. Remember, the money spent comes from tax, our gigantic IOU printing machine (which is tied to the value of dollar). The amount of auditing going on had increased from pre-2006's flat 0, to just barely scratch the surface. Some people has a funny attitude about accountability though. They think if nobody knows about 'it', then no problem exists. Somehow, the troops always get shafted. http://www.nbc11.com/msnbcnews/14404474/detail.html
Harry Truman presided over a Senate Committee to look into defense contracts during World War II and found some shocking waste and fraud during WWII. I bet the stuff they would find out about this war would make your blood boil.
Wounded Warriors Entitled to Keep Bonus Payments Link Nov 21, 2007 BY J.D. Leipold WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 21, 2007) – Soldiers who become ill or are wounded while on active duty are entitled to keep all recruitment bonuses due them. The Army reiterated that policy today, after a Wounded Soldier inadvertently received a letter from the Army that stated he would be required to pay back any enlistment money he received. “If you are ill or were injured while on duty, the Army will not ask you to repay any portion of your recruitment bonus,” said Brig. Gen. Mike Tucker, assistant surgeon general for Warrior Care and Transition. “This money will stay in the hands of our Soldiers.” Army policy prohibits what is described as “recoupment” when it would be contrary to equity and good conscience, or would be contrary to the nation’s interests. Those circumstances include, for example, “an inability to complete a service agreement because of illness, injury, disability or other impairment that did not clearly result from misconduct.” The Army is looking into the specifics behind former Soldier Jordan Fox, who was injured while serving in Iraq. Mr. Fox told news media he had received a letter from the Army stating he would be required to repay a $3,000 enlistment bonus. The general said Soldiers who have received letters from the Army asking for repayment of a recruitment bonus should contact the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline to report the issue as soon as possible. “If there’s a problem, we are going to fix it,” Brig. Gen. Tucker said. “We are committed to honoring our Warriors and Families in transition.” The hotline is staffed by subject-matter experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help speed the resolution of issues pertaining to wounded Soldiers and their Families. Callers will receive responses within 24 hours. For those who reside within the United States, the hotline can be reached at 800-984-8523. Soldiers and Families may also call from overseas assignments via the Defense Switch Network 312-328-0002 and within the U.S., 328-0002. The hotline also receives messages via email at: wsfsupport@conus.army.mil.
Absolutely and right now it's the Democrats fault, or at least they share the blame. They are in the majority in congress and can look into it if they have the gumption.
