Subject: RELEASE: Senator Clinton Calls on Pentagon to Stop Requiring Wounded Soldiers to Return Signing Bonuses
From: "Clinton, Press Office (Clinton)" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:05:57 -0500

For Immediate Release

November 21, 2007

Contact:

Clinton Press Office 202-224-2243 or 

[email-masked]

 

SENATOR CLINTON CALLS ON PENTAGON TO STOP REQUIRING WOUNDED SOLDIERS TO
RETURN SIGNING BONUSES

Senator to Introduce Legislation to Guarantee Full Payment to Veterans

Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on the
Pentagon to immediately reverse a policy that requires repayment of
enlistment bonuses by medically discharged wounded soldiers. She also
requested that the Army disclose the number of wounded soldiers who have
been affected by this policy and promised to introduce new legislation
to guarantee the fully payment of bonuses and incentives to wounded
veterans.

In the wake of recent news reports of wounded combat veterans forced to
repay thousands of dollars in signing bonuses to the Army because they
could not complete their tour of duty (see: 
http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/military.signing.bonuses.2.571660.html
), Senator Clinton sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Pete Geren,
strongly urging a reversal of policy.

"Requiring soldiers who are being medically discharged to return their
bonuses is outrageous. It dishonors their service and undermines the
Army's solemn commitment to soldiers and their families," Senator
Clinton said. "If the Administration does not reverse this misguided
policy, Congress should pass legislation to set this right."

Senator Clinton announced that she will introduce legislation that
requires the military services to continue to pay certain bonuses to a
member of the Armed Forces who is medically retired or separated due to
a combat-related injury. The legislation would amend Title 37 of the
United States Code to guarantee full payment for various incentive
payments for wounded servicemembers. 

[A copy of Senator Clinton's letter is attached].

 

November 21, 2007

 

The Honorable Pete Geren

Secretary of the Army

Department of the Army

Washington, D.C. 20310

 

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to request the immediate reversal of an Army policy that
requires repayment of enlistment bonuses by medically discharged wounded
soldiers.  According to recent media reports, the Army is directing
wounded soldiers who have been medically discharged to repay their
enlistment bonuses because they are unable to complete their term of
enlistment.  This policy is outrageous and should be reversed
immediately.  Soldiers who have enlisted in the Army have made a
commitment to serve our nation.  With our nation at war in Iraq and
Afghanistan, we should honor those who make that commitment.  By
agreeing to serve and then suffering wounds during their service, these
soldiers have earned their bonuses.  To ask soldiers who are being
medically discharged to return their bonuses dishonors their service and
undermines the Army's stated commitment to soldiers and their families. 

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, wounded soldiers have faced
numerous bureaucratic hurdles that have resulted in treatment that does
not measure up to their service and sacrifice.  Whether it is the
disgraceful treatment as outpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical center
or the pay problems experienced by wounded soldiers, many wounded
soldiers have been treated with indifference and neglect. 

As a Senator on the Armed Services Committee, I have continuously raised
the problems faced by wounded soldiers to Army leadership at hearings,
meetings, through correspondence and by offering legislation.  At each
point, I have been assured by the Army and Defense Department leadership
that they are working to improve the treatment of wounded soldiers.  In
light of this history, it shocks the conscience that the Army could
demand that wounded soldiers return their enlistment bonuses. 

Therefore, I again request a reversal of the flawed policy of requiring
wounded soldiers to repay their enlistment bonuses.  I also request any
data that reflects the total number of medically discharged wounded
soldiers who have been affected by this enlistment bonus repayment
policy to date and the total amount of enlistment bonus repayment money
collected to date. 

With soldiers bravely serving every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and
elsewhere, it is important that we demonstrate our commitment to
soldiers and their families by reversing this flawed policy. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

 

Hillary Rodham Clinton

 

Cc:       The Honorable Robert M. Gates

            Secretary of Defense

            Admiral Mike Mullen

            Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

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