Nickel-and-Diming Our Wounded: Iraq Vet Forced to Pay Back Army Bonus

Former Private First Class Jordan Fox was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He suffered a serious back injury, and he lost sight in his right eye.

A few short weeks after his honorable discharge from the Army, a letter came by mail from the Defense Department. Was it a letter informing him of local veterans' clinics where he could receive vocational rehabilitation or counseling? No. A signed "thank you for your service" from the Secretary of Defense, or perhaps the President? No.

It was a bill for nearly $3,000.

Since Fox was too severely injured to complete his military service, the Defense Department was demanding that he return part of his enlistment bonus. In the Army bureaucracy, his wounds didn't matter. The Army machine wanted its money back.

Sadly, he is not alone. Some troops seriously wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan are being denied their full enlistment bonus by the Pentagon, while others are being asked to return money they have already received.

In July, the Dole-Shalala Commission exposed the Department of Defense policy that prohibits bonuses from being paid in full to service members unless their entire military commitment is fulfilled. Wounded troops, unable to continue to serve, are forced into an early military discharge, and thus, can be denied their full bonus.

However, new legislation gaining momentum in Congress promises to put an end to this loophole. The "Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act" (H.R. 3793) would prevent wounded warriors from being unfairly penalized by requiring the Department of Defense to provide veterans discharged with combat-related injuries with full payment of any and all remaining enlistment bonuses within 30 days of discharge.

The men and women in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan have served our nation proudly. Denying them their full enlistment bonus is a terrible way to welcome them home. The Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act would ensure that all of our nation's wounded warriors receive the bonuses they have unquestionably earned.

Help us send the message to Congress that we cannot continue to nickel and dime these men and women who have given so much to serve our country.

UPDATE: Watch Jordan and his mother on CNN Headline News, along with IAVA's Todd Bowers, here.

And I was on Headline News with Glenn Beck last night to discuss the issue. You can see the video of that here.

Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff

Comments

[jackstraw005]

when i first read about this situation, i had to shake my head and read it again. could this be true? could the Army i served in for 20 years REALLY be doing this. sadly, yes it is true. well all the support our troops bumper sticker patriots should be screaming from the rooftops. it should come as no surprise, that this administration, and the pentagon would stoop to this level. kudos to those of you here who have responded, and while i have a great deal more to say, i am cutting it short so i can immediately prepare some toxic e-mails for sam brownback, pat roberts, and todd tiahart. i didnt vote for any of them, but by god they will hear from me.

[hootie1fan]

From someone who is a veteran, the Republican power structure couldn't care less about the rank and file military.

It's the big $$$, big business, campaign contributing, lobbyist supporting, military contractors that they look out for.

I still remember the Navy getting funding for ships that were going to be built in Trent Lott's state. Ships that the Navy didn't have the personnel to man because of cuts directed from Bush I.

[xtremeartist]

This just shows the true colors of this adminstration. There is no Honor or Integrity left in our so-called government and it makes me ashamed to be called an American. Chances are they will try to recover the earned wages from the fallen heroes who have perished in this illegal conflict also. Anyone who remains ignorant of these gross injustices will be held accountable on judgement day. The universe is a balanced system and the evil that men do in the name of God and country will bite them in the ass if the creator has anything to say about it. God bless our valiant men and women who have suffered at the hands of the misguilded children of War.

[hootie1fan]

My then E-5 sister received a paycheck in the amount of $79 because her housing allowance had been overpaid by $25 a month for over a year.

This was the same week an admiral who had made the same mistake to the tune of $50K, yes $50000, while living in government housing, had the entire amount "forgiven".

[janmB]

Does our govt even KNOW how disgusted citizens are about the war---treatment of veterans---budgets being used for war----
OR CARE ?

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Why ANY soldier would EVER AGAIN think the republicants are better for OUR military, PAUL, when their priorities are ALWAYS turned upside-down, is just crazy. BILLIONS get funneled to the preznutz' experiMENTAL missle defense program while OUR wounded vets lose their SURVIVAL money,...i­t's just beyond my comprehension that WE then also employ mercenaries with better health and disability benefits while sticking it to OUR wounded soldiers.

Thank you for the 'send a message to CONgress' link, we could also use one to send a message to the pentagonal and the preznutz. Congress MUST take legislative action to reverse this insane and outrageous order, and the DOD office reponsible for this policy should be forever equated with something akin to...


sewer-pond 'scum'.

[FOXYLADY]

I can't believe this!! Just one more miserable failure of our government to properly take care of and support our men and women in the military. This is a travesty and should not be allowed. It is any wonder that some still enlist in our military..­.....my grandson just joined the Marines and I feel horror about what he may have to contend with in his service now! I am so proud of him as a human being but not of our g9verhjehtsn treatment of our loved ones. GOD BLESS OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE SERVICE AND GOD HELP THEM. AND DAMN THIS PRESENT GOVERNMENT WHO BETRAYS THEM DAILY!!!

[elkabong]

I read, recently, that medals were invented as a cheap way to avoid paying soldiers.

War is a racket.

[Freedomfinder]

Please Paul get in touch with Shad Meshad and Bobby Muller, Bobby founded Viet Nam Vets of America these guy will help you they are the go to guys with the scope and training that you needed yesterday!
I really love you Bro!

[BritPatJax]

The issues that arise from these matters beg a different question. If large sums of money are used to seduce young people into service where they might endure these injuries does it not become corrupt at some point? Do the not become no better than Blackwater Mercenaries when they have to be so seduced to make up the numbers. We stop gauging the cause as was the case after 9/11 and start become just another Foriegn Legion attracting all sorts to join regardless of merit of policy and station?

[UncleNeocon]

Why are you surprised? The government has a long history of seducing young people into service and then screwing them after they have served. In the 40's and 50's thousands of soldiers were exposed to radiation during bomb tests. They were refused medical help after it was proven that their chances of getting cancer were astronomic compared to non-exposed citizens. Who did the government test newly developed LSD on? Its soldiers. Proof of Vietnam era veteran abuse is as close as any homeless shelter. Why are you so shocked and surprised?

[Honest George]

Dear Paul,
I agree H.R. 3793 should be passed as soon as possible.I would like to add that screwing Vetrans has been going on a lot longer then these 2 A-Holes (bush & cheney) have been in power.Over the years I feel as if both parties have contributed to this unfair treatment of the Vetrans. I have said it before and I say it again war is very expensive unless you are the ones that have to fight it. (don't try to have cheney about this because he has better thing to do)People like you have to keep this movement rolling on. This time lets not make it a matter that as soon as a conflict is overthe support for the Vets kinda wears off.Howeve­r far you go with this I know you will always remember the families that are home. They also deserve all the help we can give them. I have seen you on T.V. a couple of times and you ain't going to give up the fight.

[Jane22]

Thank you, Mr. Rieckhoff. The RAPE of the Treasury is now completely extending further to add insult to injury in this cheap shot against the Troops they so ardently purport to support! Perhaps our national financial condition is being so hidden from "we the citizen taxpayers" that this robbery of the troops is just another way to save money (much like S-Chip). After all, how will they ever pay Blackwater, KBR, Halliburton, Custer Battles and all they rest of the Opportunists lined up to cash in on all the Killing? Support our Troops? Yes, as long as they/their families don't require anything after being used as fodder to feed the GREED of this Governments Corporate Benefactors an other Corporate "Individuals". BushCo obviously takes no responsibility for the results (Soldiers Suffering) of their Cause to rob the Treasury for Profits. After all time is running out for this bunch to complete the robbery of the Commons for maximum profits for the friends of Bush et al! That our citizens are suffering physical, psychic, spiritual damage due to these corporate treasury-raiders is lost on war-mongers as they and their families are protected by wealth. It is these victim-sol­diers/fami­lies and by extension all of us who will pay spiritually and financially for many years. Bob Dylan's song "Masters of War" is just a prophetic as it was during the Vietnam action. Take a listen. Peace, J22

[PMERKEL37]

I read that the Army reversed its position, please read below.

Keep doing all the great work and fighting the good fight

Here is the link to the article -

ww.mcall.com/news/nationworld/state/all-a15_bonus.6152595nov23,0,3488477.story
themorningcall.com

[coolkraft]

unbelievab­le...great article...­another screwing for our troops by the Pentagon