Posted on 11/21/2007 6:03:37 AM PST by mukraker
This week, the story of Pfc Jordan Fox of Pittsburg was brought to light. Pfc Fox was injured when an IED exploded in Iraq. He suffered back injuries and lost the use of his right eye as a result of the explosion. Pfc Fox’s military service was subsequently cut short by three months.
When Pfc Fox returned home, he received a letter from the Pentagon. The letter informed Fox that he owed the government nearly $5,000.
You see, when Jordan Fox enlisted, he received an enlistment bonus of $10,000. According to the Pentagon’s letter, because Fox was unable to fulfill his military obligations (because of his injuries), he was supposed to return a portion of that enlistment bonus.
Because Pfc Fox had accrued unused leave time, his repayment amount was reduced to just under $3,000.
U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) has proposed legislation (HR 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act) that would ensure that injured combat veterans would receive full payment of any re-enlistment or retention bonuses, even if they are unable to fulfill their service obligation.
According to Rick Maze, writing in the October 12, 2007 issue of Army Times, “Defense Department rules require installment payments for re-enlistment bonuses to be terminated if someone cannot continue their military service. As a result, someone hurt in combat after re-enlisting would receive their initial down payment, typically half of the total bonus, but may not receive the annual installments if their war wounds make it impossible to continue service.”
“Under the bill, the full bonus would be paid to a veteran within 30 days of his separation from active duty if he was unable to continue serving as a result of combat injury or illness. This would not change the military’s policy of denying full bonuses to those unable to fulfill their service obligation for other reasons.”
A Pentagon spokesman announced on Wednesday [November 21] that the pentagon has set up a special toll-free hotline, where anyone who has received one of these repayment notifications, or anyone who has already repaid such enlistment bonuses because of one of these letters, cal call and speak with a live person to resolve their situation.
That telephone number is
According to the spokesman, this has been a bureaucratic snafu, and anyone who has been forced to repay these bonuses because of injuries they’ve received in the line of duty will have their cases resolved promptly. The repayments will cease immediately, and those who have already repaid their bonuses will be eligible for a refund of those payments.
It’s the very least they can do for the troops.
How many times must the Military keep saying cutting enlistment bonuses for soldiers injured in combat is NOT THE POLICY.
The few that this occurred with are the result of bureaucracy blunders. Help was always just a toll free phone call away for these heroes, but the media in it’s bluster is not reporting this until today.
Also, the legislation you mention has been sitting gathering dust on Dem. Chairman Ike Skelton’s desk since October because it IS NOT NEEDED!
I think this is a bad scam set up by the lib bureaucrats in Washington at the DoD to make the President look bad.
Somebody should investigate where this is coming from and fire their big fat lib a$$e$ — and everybody else that may smell like a co-conspirator.
“Also, the legislation you mention has been sitting gathering dust on Dem. Chairman Ike Skelton’s desk since October because it IS NOT NEEDED!”
I might point out DEMOCRAT Skelton is the House Armed Forces Committee Chairman. If you think legislation is necessary you differ with the Democrats controlling this committee.........because HE is the one sitting on it in Committee and has been since it was turned over to him on October 10, 2007.
This is more than a snafu.
It takes evil people somewhere in the decision-making chain for this to happen.
Thank God for the internet.
Gee, where are the MSM headlines? “Bush and Cheney are keeping the Injured Soldiers Bonuses”. Sarc.
That's what I thought probably happened. Good to hear it's getting rectified though.
FNC has been all ovewr this this week. First I’ve heard about it. They had a special report this morning, where the Pentagon mad a special announcement to get the word out with the toll-free number.
| U.S. Servicemen and Women Asked To Return Bonus Money |
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| Posted by TomGuy to Daffynition On News/Activism 11/21/2007 6:19:20 AM CST · 29 of 38 FoxNews Breaking News:Brig Gen Michael S. Tucker says those injured in the line of duty will not be responsible for returning any bonuses they receive. |
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They just read the first few paragraphs and start slinging replies.
The only time they try and recoup the bonus is if the soldier does something stupid or for a preexisting condition.
As a side line - Some people have a hard time understanding a Line of Duty investigation for an injury. Get the “NO” block checked and you’re up the creek without a paddle.
IMO, every last one of the morons in DC look bad! Time to send them all home in disgrace.
It was a snafu alright but a deliberate one instigated by some anti war wienie in the Pentagon. This allows the Democrat to propose legislation to make it right and in the process makes the Dems look as if they actually care about our boys in uniform, which of course they do not except as a means to a political end.
Laura Ingraham and Dennis Prager both reported this yesterday. I sensed something was up though when I looked online and the only story I could find was from Feb 2006.
Why are the military required to pay taxes when they are in combat? I thought they were exempt!
Why didn’t the Republicans jump on this? Lazy b@stards.
My experience is that it only takes one lazy, stupid finance or personnel weenie. They are easy to find.
If what you said is the case here it’s reassuring.
Non story.
We got FREE postage from Vietnam, but no one seems free from taxes.
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