More Bush

[Homicidalheathen]

After being wounded in the war, the Military is asking soldiers to return their signing Bonuses

by Steve Benen,The Carpetbagger Report

Left, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Wounded U.S. Army soldiers are loaded onto a C-130 Hercules at Baghdad International Airport on April 22. The airport is a primary base of operations for U.S. troops, cargo and humanitarian airlift in Iraq.

When Jordan Fox was serving in Iraq, his mother helped organize Operation Pittsburgh Pride, which sends thousands of care packages to U.S. troops from his hometown, which prompted a personal "thank you" from the White House. When Fox was seriously injured in Iraq, the president sent what appeared to be personal note, expressing his concerns to the Fox family.

But more recently, Fox received a different piece of correspondence from the Bush administration.

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.

I watched the report from the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, and I kept thinking, "This can't be right." Apparently, it is...

[AntiHero]

w........t.........f?

[nilhil_glory]

this is due to the fact congress wont keep saying yes to bushs war funding

and hes running low on cash so where else is he gonna turn to

[Scary Guy]

this is due to the fact congress wont keep saying yes to bushs war funding

and hes running low on cash so where else is he gonna turn to

Our social security system?

Oh... wait...

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

You know... not one of the story's appearing about this show any form of proof. None.

Even if it is happening...

How is this Bush's fault? This is something so far removed from him...

Also, you sign a contract when you join that gives you a monetary bonus for TIME served in active Duty. Going out of active duty for what ever reason is a breach of contract.

I don't agree with this practice, if it is indeed happening, but it is not Bush's fault. Congress makes laws, not the President.

You want this fixed? Talk to your Democratic congress that has done NOTHING since the ignorant masses voted for change. Get them to actually do something other than play partisan politics with 800 investigations that have done nothing but waste money and find no crimes being committed.

[Fierce Critter]

Get them to actually do something other than play partisan politics with 800 investigations that have done nothing but waste money and find no crimes being committed.

Can you say Ken Starr?

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Yes I can... and I can say Ken Starr in the same sentence as the words horrible, waste, time and money.

I in no way support Congress abusing what little investigative power it has for purely political ends, no matter the party in the majority. I dont believe that the Independent Counsel law is constitutional. Congress has no power under the constitution to investigate or order the investigation of anyone other than thier own members. Clinton should have brought the whole thing before the Supreme Court for review. He didn't, so now we are stuck with it.

And my point still stands.

IF this is really happening, then it's up to Congress to pass a law that fixes this. As they have not done ONE of the many things they promised to do in the last election "for change", I highly doubt they are going to fix this.

[freydis]

You know... not one of the story's appearing about this show any form of proof. None.

Actually, it was carried on a few more credible newswires, too.

States News Service

November 21, 2007 Wednesday

SENATOR CLINTON CALLS ON PENTAGON TO STOP REQUIRING WOUNDED SOLDIERS TO RETURN SIGNING BONUSES

BYLINE: States News Service

LENGTH: 707 words

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

The following information was released by New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on the Pentagon to immediately reverse a policy that requires repayment of enlistment bonuses by medically discharged wounded soldiers. She also requested that the Army disclose the number of wounded soldiers who have been affected by this policy and promised to introduce new legislation to guarantee the fully payment of bonuses and incentives to wounded veterans.

In the wake of recent news reports of wounded combat veterans forced to repay thousands of dollars in signing bonuses to the Army because they could not complete their tour of duty (see: http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/military....2.571660.html), Senator Clinton sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, strongly urging a reversal of policy.

Requiring soldiers who are being medically discharged to return their bonuses is outrageous. It dishonors their service and undermines the Army's solemn commitment to soldiers and their families, Senator Clinton said. If the Administration does not reverse this misguided policy, Congress should pass legislation to set this right.

Senator Clinton announced that she will introduce legislation that requires the military services to continue to pay certain bonuses to a member of the Armed Forces who is medically retired or separated due to a combat-related injury. The legislation would amend Title 37 of the United States Code to guarantee full payment for various incentive payments for wounded servicemembers.

[A copy of Senator Clinton' letter is attached].

November 21, 2007

The Honorable Pete Geren

Secretary of the Army

Department of the Army

Washington, D.C. 20310

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to request the immediate reversal of an Army policy that requires repayment of enlistment bonuses by medically discharged wounded soldiers. According to recent media reports, the Army is directing wounded soldiers who have been medically discharged to repay their enlistment bonuses because they are unable to complete their term of enlistment. This policy is outrageous and should be reversed immediately. Soldiers who have enlisted in the Army have made a commitment to serve our nation. With our nation at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we should honor those who make that commitment. By agreeing to serve and then suffering wounds during their service, these soldiers have earned their bonuses. To ask soldiers who are being medically discharged to return their bonuses dishonors their service and undermines the Army's stated commitment to soldiers and their families.

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, wounded soldiers have faced numerous bureaucratic hurdles that have resulted in treatment that does not measure up to their service and sacrifice. Whether it is the disgraceful treatment as outpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical center or the pay problems experienced by wounded soldiers, many wounded soldiers have been treated with indifference and neglect.

As a Senator on the Armed Services Committee, I have continuously raised the problems faced by wounded soldiers to Army leadership at hearings, meetings, through correspondence and by offering legislation. At each point, I have been assured by the Army and Defense Department leadership that they are working to improve the treatment of wounded soldiers. In light of this history, it shocks the conscience that the Army could demand that wounded soldiers return their enlistment bonuses.

Therefore, I again request a reversal of the flawed policy of requiring wounded soldiers to repay their enlistment bonuses. I also request any data that reflects the total number of medically discharged wounded soldiers who have been affected by this enlistment bonus repayment policy to date and the total amount of enlistment bonus repayment money collected to date.

With soldiers bravely serving every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, it is important that we demonstrate our commitment to soldiers and their families by reversing this flawed policy.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Cc: The Honorable Robert M. Gates

Secretary of Defense

Admiral Mike Mullen

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

I do agree, its not exactly Bush's fault, the policymakers are the ones that need to be confronted about this.

But you've got to admit, it *is* kind of heartless.....

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Didn't see that. Lets see if Congress can take time from thier busy scheduals investigating everything that has ever been done to pass it.

[freydis]

Didn't see that. Lets see if Congress can take time from thier busy scheduals investigating everything that has ever been done to pass it.

heh......

Sounds like what will happen, rather than anything actually being *done* about it....