Posted on Oct 25, 2016
Have you been asked to pay back your reenlistment bonus?
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I spoke with Senators Feinstein and Boxer regarding the reenlistment bonus payback demands - mentioned on RP and multiple news outlets. They have written to SECDEF re relief on this issue. In my opinion, for what it is worth, there is no good reason for the DoD to be pursuing individual service members for repayment of the small aggregate amount of money (versus overall defense budget) received in good faith based on their commitment & acceptance of their CoC's written offer & assurances. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
October 24, 2016
The Honorable Ashton B. Carter
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Secretary Carter:
We were dismayed to learn that nearly 10,000 service members, including many brave Californians who served our country with honor and distinction over multiple combat tours, have been ordered to pay back enlistment bonuses and other benefits that they were given nearly a decade ago. This is unfair and appalling and we request that you halt the collection of these bonuses immediately.
Thousands of our service members are paying the price for mistakes made by California National Guard managers, some of whom are now serving jail time or paying restitution for their crimes. It is outrageous to hold these service members and their families responsible for the illegal behavior of others.
These men and women voluntarily reenlisted with the understanding that they would receive substantial bonuses. They accepted these incentive payments in good faith and at the height of the Iraq War, when the Department was having difficulty retaining service members. Many of these individuals paid a heavy price for their service – including severe injuries sustained after reenlisting. Now they are facing interest charges, wage garnishment, tax liens, and other penalties.
Many service members have sought relief, only to have their appeals rejected. We believe the Department of Defense should use its existing authority under 37 USC 303a(e) to waive the repayment of these enlistment bonuses. We agree that seeking to claw back these payments from those who served our country “would be against equity and good conscience” and “would be contrary to the best interests of the United States.” We also request that you take action to help those service members who have already fully or partially repaid these incentives.
We look forward to your prompt response and to working with you to quickly resolve this pressing issue.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-national-guard-bonus-20161020-snap-story.html
October 24, 2016
The Honorable Ashton B. Carter
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Secretary Carter:
We were dismayed to learn that nearly 10,000 service members, including many brave Californians who served our country with honor and distinction over multiple combat tours, have been ordered to pay back enlistment bonuses and other benefits that they were given nearly a decade ago. This is unfair and appalling and we request that you halt the collection of these bonuses immediately.
Thousands of our service members are paying the price for mistakes made by California National Guard managers, some of whom are now serving jail time or paying restitution for their crimes. It is outrageous to hold these service members and their families responsible for the illegal behavior of others.
These men and women voluntarily reenlisted with the understanding that they would receive substantial bonuses. They accepted these incentive payments in good faith and at the height of the Iraq War, when the Department was having difficulty retaining service members. Many of these individuals paid a heavy price for their service – including severe injuries sustained after reenlisting. Now they are facing interest charges, wage garnishment, tax liens, and other penalties.
Many service members have sought relief, only to have their appeals rejected. We believe the Department of Defense should use its existing authority under 37 USC 303a(e) to waive the repayment of these enlistment bonuses. We agree that seeking to claw back these payments from those who served our country “would be against equity and good conscience” and “would be contrary to the best interests of the United States.” We also request that you take action to help those service members who have already fully or partially repaid these incentives.
We look forward to your prompt response and to working with you to quickly resolve this pressing issue.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-national-guard-bonus-20161020-snap-story.html
Re-enlistment
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 11
This issue goes beyond California and the last ten years. It is terrible that those Service Members are the ones left dealing with it but this issue can ripple across the United States. I too have reached out to local government officials here in Pennsylvania asking them to come together and to stop this madness. The fallout from this may be felt for years. Recruiting numbers among initial contracts and reups will drop because of the drop of faith in the government to deliver on their end of the contract. Thousands upon thousands of service members will be forced to come up with money that just isn't there putting their family in positions that no one should face. We must demand that the Senate and Congress cross their lines and join as one to stop this repayment crap, return any money received from anyone impacted and work to ensure this type of "error" doesn't occur again.
As of this morning I believe that Ash Carter has read the writing on the wall and ordered the Pentagon to cease and desist further collection efforts. His reasoning and explanation is a classic example of political two speak to suggest this was his idea and not the result of mounting public pressure which would not look good in the shower or be PC. A special word of thanks to you from myself and others herein who greatly appreciate your compassionate interest in issues like these and your further willingness to actually do something. Warmest Regards, Tom :)
This is probably the only time ever that I have agreed with Feinstein and Boxer about anything. Unfortunately the military failing to honor contracts or promises is nothing new and too often our elected representatives have let them get away with it. Hopefully this time they won't. This is a really chickenshit deal.
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http://www.ktvn.com/story/33466446/the-latest-congress-members-rip-pentagon-repayment-policy
The Latest: Congress members rip Pentagon repayment policy
The Latest on enlistment bonuses the Pentagon is ordering California National Guard soldiers to repay (all times local):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/10/25/pentagon-chief-promises-to-resolve-cases-for-national-guard-soldiers-ordered-to-repay-bonuses/
Pentagon chief promises to resolve cases for National Guard soldiers ordered to repay bonuses
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has launched an investigation.