Injured Marine fights for wounded soldiers' pay

BostonHerald.com ^ | May 28, 2005 | Noelle Straub

[Boston Blackie]

WASHINGTON - Winthrop Marine Lance Cpl. James Crosby's effort to give combat-wounded soldiers special pay while they recover moved closer to becoming law with a U.S. House vote last week.

[Jet Jaguar]

The original bill was named the Crosby-Puller Combat Wounds Compensation Act in honor of Crosby, 20, and Lt. General Lewis ``Chesty'' Puller, the most decorated Marine in history.

I think this is a good thing.

[R. Scott]

The measure, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Malden), would give $430 a month to soldiers who are wounded and evacuated from the combat zone.
The special pay would continue until a soldier receives a new form of insurance for traumatic injuries received in combat - no less than a lump sum of $25,000 and as high as $100,000, depending on the injury's severity.

I’m not much in favor of this. It could have inadvertent consequences. The lump sum payment could later affect VA disability payments after the war is over. Every time we transition from war to peace Congress looks hard for ways to cut the cost of our military. Our Congress Critters could well see this as enough reimbursement for their injuries.

[PistolPaknMama]

$430 a month to soldiers who are wounded and evacuated from the combat zone.

Is this $430 in addition to some other pay? Plus free medical care? Or just $430 flat rate with no other benefits. I guess I'm not following what the problem is or the proposed solution since I know nothing about how military pay works.

[Boston Blackie]

Our Congress Critters could well see this as enough reimbursement for their injuries.

Then it is time to take these 'payroll patriots' (congressmen) by the scruff of the neck and throw them out of office.

[R. Scott]

I’m in 100% agreement. I am to the point where I vote for an incumbent only when the alternative is to bad to contemplate. Senator Warner is one of my Senators – and I voted third party against him in the last election.

[R. Scott]

In addition to other pay and allowances.

[Boston Blackie]

I am to the point where I vote for an incumbent only when the alternative is to bad to contemplate.

Understandable, many of us are forced to vote that way.

[cynicom]

Peanuts by any other name.

First of all, disband the VA medical system. Treat those with military injuries and illnesses the same as any American citizen. Give them a medical card to any civilian facility and let the military pick up the cost with no arguments.

Second unload those veterans with no military injuries or illnesses that overload the VA.

The government will never allow compensation for pain and suffering.

[ops33]

I am a 50% disabled vet and under current law there is no way any lump sum payment from the government would effect VA disability payments. When a vet applies for disability the VA does not ask what other sources of income he receives. The only exception to this is for vets who have retired for length of service.

[atom99]

Be careful of what you reward. In Viet Nam I saw people self inflict wounds to get out of country. Since it was a dangerous place you could easily get injured by just not avoiding injury. Throw in a monetary reward and you may encourage bad behavior.

[MikefromOhio]

If they do happen to make this a law, they will need to revamp and reorganize the VA system. The way it is now, it will eventually lead to abuse by some.....

[R. Scott]

I am a 50% disabled vet and under current law there is no way any lump sum payment from the government would effect VA disability payments.

I am 60%, and familiar with the procedure, but – as you stated – “under current law”. Laws can and are changed. Look what happened to the GI Bill after WW II and Viet Nam.

[R. Scott]

In Viet Nam I saw people self inflict wounds to get out of country.

Hanoi John comes to mind. Can you imagine if he were also to collect extra money for being evaced? His “wounds” might have been much more serious – on paper.

[lifelongsoldier]

Sounds a bit like the Lance Corporal just wants to get a little bigger nest egg. What would be fair is to continue their tax exempt status and hazardous duty pay until such time as it is determined that they will no longer be able to serve in a combat zone. With the advent of pay checks, instead of a monthly pay call, there is no reason for any service member to not be able to access his monthly paycheck. How did he come up with the $430 per month figure anyway?

[MediaMole]

Reservists are one group who can really suffer when they are recovering from a combat wound.

Locally, one police officer who is active duty with a reserve unit was wounded. While he was in Iraq, the combination of duty pay and combat pay was comparable to what he received as a police officer, but once he was wounded, the combat pay ended and his family was going to hit hard times.

Luckily for him, the city is allowing him to take 20 hours a week salary out of current and future sick pay, so he will be financially OK.

One solution would be to allow the continuation of combat pay for the time a wounded soldier's unit is eligible. Or perhaps continue a wounded soldier's pay at the highest level allowed until he is cleared to return to duty or released on a medical discharge.

I don't like the idea of a lump sum benefit since all wounds are different as are recovery times. The focus should be on making sure that the soldier's family doesn't suffer any more than necessary under the circumstances.

[ops33]

Yes, but they also can change to the Vet's benefit. When I retired the entire amount that I received from the VA was taken out of my retirement pay. Now, with changes to the law, most, but not all of that offset, has been restored through Combat Related Suplementary Compensation.

[R. Scott]

And I am very grateful for the change.