How long can a hand receipt follow you after you leave a unit or the military for good?

2020-02-20T17:15:41-05:00

I had a former soldier (we are both out now) contact me saying our former unit sent him a letter about not turning in gear and getting possible wages garnished. They sent a letter to his "home of record" but what if he had moved and never seen that letter?

They are missing a hand receipt from his final turn in of gear from SIX YEARS ago. How can he possibly be expected to find that or a witness still serving at the unit to vouch for him?

We both were cleared to transition out at some point from that unit and all department heads cleared us to go IRR with no outstanding issues, so how can they potentially take money from his pocket from 6 years ago when he is entirely out of the service?

Any advice on his course of action?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 20 at 2020 5:49 PM

2020-02-20T17:49:44-05:00

In short, they can't unless they want to file a tort claim and have the US Marshals serve him to go to court. That would take DoJ getting involved in which they'd laugh the Service away as they don't deal with chump change. BTW, they'd start laughing when the story starts out "six years ago....". If you're not subject to the UCMJ, there is no way to get dinged. I presume he isn't IRR anymore either? If IRR, then he'd have to be recalled with pay and then dinged to pay. The Fraud, Waste, Abuse Hotline would love to get this one. And the media field day with the headlines "NAVY SPENDS THOUSANDS TO COLLECT HUNDREDS". You ask why the letter in the first place? Just someone hoping he's dumb enough to bite.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 20 at 2020 9:39 PM

2020-02-20T21:39:16-05:00

look, if it is still an open hand receipt and he can not Prove that it was closed out, they can turn the debt over to the IRS for collection. That can be a real bitch, cause they don't play at all.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Feb 21 at 2020 8:45 AM

2020-02-21T08:45:22-05:00

I am pretty sure the letter they sent him told him how to dispute the debt. If not, tell him to send a certified letter to the person that sent him the letter asking for a formal financial liability investigation. It is unlikely that the investigating officer is going to recommend him be held liable if you submit a statement as his supervisor saying he cleared properly.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 4:41 AM

2020-02-22T04:41:43-05:00

Sounds like the unit is fishing. How many change of commands have taken place in the last 6 years at that unit?