A shameful way to ’support the troops’

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard recently ended a 22-month tour of duty in Iraq, the longest deployment of any ground-combat unit in the Armed Forces. Many of its members returned home, looking forward to using education benefits under the GI bill.

For example, John Hobot, a platoon leader, said, “I would assume, and I would hope, that when I get back from a deployment of 22 months, my senior leadership in Washington, the leadership that extended us in the first place, would take care of us once we got home.”

It’s not working that way. The Guard troops have been told that in order to be eligible for the education benefits they expect, they had to serve 730 days in Iraq. They served 729.

Nearly half the members of one of the longest serving U.S. military units in Iraq are not eligible for a more generous military educational benefit, with some falling one day short of eligibility. […]

All 2,600 of the soldiers, who returned this year from Iraq, are eligible for money for school under the GI Bill. But nearly half discovered they weren’t eligible for a more generous package of benefits available to other soldiers.

Minnesota’s congressional delegation is apoplectic, and the Army has vowed to look into the matter, but the troops are understandably suspicious that they were deliberately brought home after 729 days so the Pentagon could deny them the better GI Bill benefits.

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

The Navy pulled the same kind of ####### on our ship when I was in. We went from San Diego to Bremerton, WA for an overhaul. If you are assigned to another port for more than 6 months it's considered a change of home port (the Navy would pay for you and your family to move). Ours was scheduled for 5 mos and 29 days. As it turned out we were in Bremerton for almost 9 mos. but our schedule was under 6 mos. Sucked to be us.

[gwenneh 7]

Same thing happened to my ex, who served on active duty during the first conflict in the Gulf.

[GaryC 7]

They should fix that. But there does have to be a line. If it turns out they brought them back short of one day deliberately then they should get the full benefits.

[Jamie76 0]

They should fix that. But there does have to be a line. If it turns out they brought them back short of one day deliberately then they should get the full benefits.

Right...like they didn't do that on purpose.

[Ban Hammer 13,641]

not surprising - i almost had an armed escort to the airport in turkey as i was there for 178 days

the military does know about these benefits and the changes in status, i'm not surprised that they came home one day short of being eligible for them.

[GaryC 7]

not surprising - i almost had an armed escort to the airport in turkey as i was there for 178 days

the military does know about these benefits and the changes in status, i'm not surprised that they came home one day short of being eligible for them.

If thats true then those that are counting the beans should spend 178 days in Iraq.

[Ban Hammer 13,641]

not surprising - i almost had an armed escort to the airport in turkey as i was there for 178 days

the military does know about these benefits and the changes in status, i'm not surprised that they came home one day short of being eligible for them.

If thats true then those that are counting the beans should spend 178 days in Iraq.

different law applies for that - i was tdy in the above case with turkey, those in iraq have been deployed to iraq.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This sort of thing will do wonders for the recruiting efforts...

[almaty 19]

the miltary does allot of things that lower the morale...it has been going on since viet nam era...and maybe longer??

[Jasman0717 9]

Ain't that a crock of #######

[Cheryl & Medo 3]

Really dose this surprize you? That is our goverment for you. And have they ever really taken care of any of our vet's?

[Nagishkaw 510]

The gouvernment can't even take care of themselves. No suprise here.

[Ban Hammer 13,641]

Really dose this surprize you? That is our goverment for you. And have they ever really taken care of any of our vet's?

just wait till they get ahold of uhc

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Really dose this surprize you? That is our goverment for you. And have they ever really taken care of any of our vet's?

just wait till they get ahold of uhc

Nice try Chuck. Nice try. Not taking that bait.