This is morally wrong. It’s a blatant injustice towards every man and woman who’s ever donned a military uniform in service to their country. It’s disgraceful, and I'm outraged!
Apparently, wartime sacrifices of putting one’s life on the line in service to their country - taking precious time away from family and career – is not enough to satisfy the sordid souls in the Pentagon. Our brave men and women returning home from Iraq are, for undisclosed reasons, faced with paying a new price, a "debt of service."
One soldier in particular from New York is currently battling with the institution in which he once faithfully served. The Pentagon has decided to reward returning Iraqi vets by slapping them an invoice for equipment damaged during war operations.
From BSTV.com:
Brian Rodriguez is a fighter, an honorably discharged soldier who'd been deployed in Iraq.
"I was a combat engineer," Rodriguez said. "We deal with land mines, explosives."
He fought for his nation, only to return to his homeland and wage a fresh battle.
Former Army Specialist Rodriguez started getting bills for $700 for lost or damaged government property this summer. Although he was discharged some four years ago, bills recently arrived demanding payment, but giving no details on what or why -- nor do they offer a way to dispute the charges.
"For doing my job you're going to bill me?" Rodriguez said.
What’s even worse, former Army Specialist Rodriguez Is not alone.
A 2006 government report found more than 1,000 service men and women [just] in the U.S. Army alone have been billed a total of $1.5 million. Many are facing the ruination of their credit. Now, it’s not their lives that at stake but instead... their future.
More from the article:
"It makes a terrible point about the nature of military service today," citizen soldier Tod Ensign said.
Ensign is a veteran's advocate. He says this is all part of the military’s push to be run more like a business.
"They'll just pound him and call him, call his employers, and make his life as miserable as they can until he pays up," Ensign said.
Testimony before Congress detailed in a report found that "although unit commanders and finance offices are authorized to write off debts for lost and damaged equipment ... they have not always done so."
"It happens too often and it's just disgraceful," Sen. Charles Schumer said. "Here are people who are risking their lives for us and they come home and they're being treated as if they're criminals instead of heroes."
Despite repeated requests about the bill, the Pentagon isn’t talking, unwilling to disclose even to the bill’ee, exactly what type of equipment was supposedly damaged or the nature of the damage done to that equipment. They did however, tell Rodriguez that they would not forego the debt.
"I did my time, I served my country and this is the thanks I get," Rodriguez said.
Senator Schumer has promised to look into the matter, and it’d be a good idea to let him know how you feel about this terrible Pentagon policy.
Can we PLEASE throw da bums out!
Peace