Kohl: Congress Needs to Rectify Mistake Affecting National Guard Members
A mistake caused our troops to be denied leave when they returned home from overseas, and we need to make it right.
Many service members have deployed overseas in the last decade. To compensate men and women serving multiple or extended deployments, the military began a program to provide extra days of paid leave.
Members of the Wisconsin National Guard's 1157th Transportation Company received some of these days off when they returned from Iraq, but the Army miscalculated the number of days they earned under the new program. The mistakes were discovered and the Army corrected their records, but only allowed them to take the extra days after they returned from their next deployment. However, many of these soldiers will not deploy again, and some no longer serve in the military. It has been years since they returned and they still have not been compensated.
Mistakes happen, but they need to be fixed. That is why I introduced an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill last year that would provide these men and women with the option to cash out the leave they were incorrectly denied. Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked on the other side of the aisle from being included in the final Defense Authorization bill.
But this is not the end of the story. This week we took a big step forward and introduced the Fair Military Leave Act, which is similar to my previous amendment. I was joined in the Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Rep. Ron Kind and Tom Petri have introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
I have the highest respect for the members of our military and we should not drag our feet on this issue. They earned this benefit, and they should be allowed to use it.
Steve
9:25 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
In the real world, it doesn't take an act of congress and thousands of dollars to fix a payroll mistake. Go big government go.
Craig
9:31 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Straight on that!
And the lefties want Government screwed up health care?
Herbie should be ashamed.
atthec44
6:37 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Who's Herb Kohl? Never heard of him.
Gofaq Uurslf
7:12 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
You would think Herbie was running for reelection with a statement like that. He's retiring? Oh. Well good riddens.
Lyle Ruble
6:34 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
@Nate and Craig...You don't think these vets have earned the benefits? They shouldn't have been called up in the first place. Having spent almost a decade in the military, it's SOP for the DOD to make these kind of errors. This is no indication how the government will handle healthcare.
Bob McBride
8:15 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
True. Check out the VA if you want some indication of how they'd handle healthcare.
St. Swithin
9:00 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
Absolutely. I have been to three different VA hospitals as well as numerous other military health facilities. Overall the people were great and the service was excellent.
Craig
10:44 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
Lyle: Though I speak for myself, I think Nate would agree. The vets deserve better. What I was pointing to with health care is this: If you have a system that is totally idiot proof; only the Government can screw it up.
We have been in three unfunded wars, and no apparent vicory. Our economy has taken a dump, and our debt now exceeds GDP. The Federal Reserve holds the largest portion of US debt, with China a close second. Our power grid is grossly outdated, our bridges and highways are the likes of some third world countries. People are still living in FEMA trailors! Their home is located below sea level, and we put a band aid on the leaky dike. The list could go on and on...
I have lost faith in our government to do anything right, both parties are to blame. When you really think about it: How many times have you heard the phrase, "I voted for the lesser of two evils."?
Bob McBride
12:53 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
My experience over a 4 year period of time with our local VA couldn't be more different. Thank G-d we had a private healthcare provider to supplement and overrule some of the horrendous service we received. The people were nice, I'll give you that.. Inept for the most part, but nice.
St. Swithin
8:08 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
Seems like a pretty minor error to require an act of Congress. Couldn't a quick talk with the commanding general at Army Finance clear this up?
Bob McBride
8:23 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
You'd think so. I think the act of Congress is so that the option of cash is available for those who wouldn't be able to make up the days at some future point in time - or for anyone who'd prefer the cash.
St. Swithin
9:09 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
Even for future events it should just be an adjustment to the Army rules. Last I checked retiring soldiers could cash in un-used leave. So it's not like this is even a new concept.
Hey Herb! Call this guy - Mr. John J. Argodale, DASA Financial Operations.
Bob McBride
12:56 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
I think that's the point of the legislation he's proposing - for cases going forward. I don't know why the army can't just change it on their own, but apparently Herb thinks it takes legislation to do so.