Army's 'Debt Of Service' Leaves Vets Perplexed
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.
And he's not alone. A 2006 government report found more than 1,000 soldiers being billed a total of $1.5 million. And while fighting overseas put their lives on the line, this battle on paper could cost them their future by ruining their credit. Rodriguez will be reported to credit agencies next month.
Un-fucking-believable. Can we, just maybe, give the guy a little credit for volunteering several years of his life and getting stuck in the worst place in the world and apply that against this mysterious 700 bucks?
2 comments:
Well, at the very least, send him some clue about what he was supposed to have broken. Who pays triple digit bills without knowing what it's in reference to?
Can't wait till the army figures out they can charge soldiers travel agency fees for the trip back home.
Charging soldiers travel agency fees for the trip back home? Sounds like a progressive, forward-thinking example of privatization to me.
Think this billing of soldiers is one result of Rumsfeld's failed effort to run a war on the cheap?
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment