lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_204222600.html (CBS) NEW YORK Servicemen and women who made huge sacrifices fighting in the war and now paying yet another price, even after coming home. One soldier in particular is currently battling against a new "debt of service." 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. "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." Because it's been four years since he left the Middle East, Rodriguez's battalion was dissolved and his commanders are long gone. And despite repeated requests, the Army never could tell us what piece of equipment Rodriguez was billed for, nor would they get rid of the debt. "I did my time, I served my country and this is the thanks I get," Rodriguez said. Their suggestion? Call your Congressman. Schumer said he'll reach out to the Army to intervene on Brian's behalf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 That is some supply guy who screwed up the paperwork and is now just catching up to this guy. I would call my congressman in a second if they did this to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 they charge for body armor if you get killed in the line of duty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 they charge for body armor if you get killed in the line of duty Who the fuck would they charge?? Just so all of you know, they write all that stuff off. If there is a decent supply guy, he can do a "combat loss" statement and write off pretty much anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Who the fuck would they charge?? Just so all of you know, they write all that stuff off. If there is a decent supply guy, he can do a "combat loss" statement and write off pretty much anything. surviving family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 they also charge for meals http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/01/27/walter_reed/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 surviving family You do not really know what you are talking about do you?:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 they also charge for meals http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/01/27/walter_reed/index.html Those Soldiers who are out patients longer then 90days pay for their food. What the article is not saying is that these same Soldiers get BAS, which is money for food every month. This article is misleading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 i can find more articles about soldiers being charged for body armor, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 The only reason they are charged is because the supply guy did not know how to do their job. it is a kid who is a retard and not a policy by the government. It also is not hard to fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 The only reason they are charged is because the supply guy did not know how to do their job. it is a kid who is a retard and not a policy by the government. It also is not hard to fix. explain all the soldiers who came back dead and their families get charged for body armor. explain that, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Who? I am not sure, but I think that is just a rumor. Can you find one case about a dead Soldier's family being charged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,87399,00.html?ESRC=army-a.nl here's the blood soaked kevlar story again. give me a bit on the families charged thing. i'm trying to do a few things at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 "all because a supply officer failed to document that the vest had been destroyed more than a year ago as a biohazard. " See what I am saying, it was just a retarded supply guy not knowing his job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 this is an interesting forum on military.com they are discussing the situation. read it. it was insightful for me. http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/409192893/m/7170029831001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/JAGCNETInternet/Homepages/AC/Legal%20Assistance%20Home%20Page.nsf/626e6035eadbb4cd85256499006b15a6/72e6911c07b389268525690f00612c8e!OpenDocument Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I know about that process. That is by the book, but it does not address the combat loss staements commanders can do to nullify the costs. Bottom line is that commanders can write off almost anything when they deploy. If anyone is charged for something it is either a supply guy being a retard or a commander making a point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 I know about that process. That is by the book, but it does not address the combat loss staements commanders can do to nullify the costs. Bottom line is that commanders can write off almost anything when they deploy. If anyone is charged for something it is either a supply guy being a retard or a commander making a point. read through that thread when you have some time. bunch of military guys discussing it and other situations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILONE/SK Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 What thread? All it does is open up a document from JAGNet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_casek Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/409192893/m/7170029831001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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