Wounded Vet Told To Pay Back Bonus

Partially-Blinded In Iraq, GI Billed For Army Signing Bonus; Pentagon Admits Mistake

(CBS)  Jordan Fox received a $10,000 signing bonus when he joined the Army. The Mt. Lebanon man served his country in Iraq, where as a sniper he survived machine gun battles and a roadside bomb that knocked him unconscious and blinded him in his right eye.

The injury forced the military to send him home. A few weeks later, Fox received a bill from the Department of Defense, saying he owes the military nearly $3,000 from his original enlistment bonus because he couldn't fulfill three months of his commitment.

"I tried to do my best and serve my country and unfortunately I was hurt in the process and now they're telling me that they want their money back," Fox told CBS station KDKA-TV.

This is apparently not an isolated bureaucratic foul-up. The military is allegedly demanding that thousands of wounded service personnel give back signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their commitments.

To get people to sign up, the military gives enlistment bonuses - up to $30,000 in some cases. Now men and women who have lost arms, legs, eyesight, hearing and can no longer serve are being ordered to pay some of that money back.

Military regulations do allow for discharged soldiers to be forced to pay back part of their enlistment bonuses if they do not serve their entire commitment, if they were found to have "pre-existing" conditions, such as psychological disorders.

As part of an investigation by KDKA into the letter to Fox, the station contacted the Pentagon. After looking into the matter, a military spokesman told KDKA correspondent Marty Griffin that the bill sent to Fox was a mistake.

"We have seen where the problems have been made [in] the system," Major Nathan Banks told Griffin. Banks said the military was working to "make a wrong a right."

But the Pentagon refused comment on allegations that thousands of other soldiers just sent home wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan will receive these sorts of bills.

Fox has been helping with a local charity founded by his mother, Operation Pittsburgh Pride, sending care packages to troops in Iraq. Because of his battle wounds Fox unfortunately will not be able to pursue his dream of being a police officer.

News of the military's letter to Fox spread quickly after being reported by KDKA. "It's blown up very quickly," Fox said. "I'm kind of shocked and a little embarrassed by it all."

Shortly before appearing on a national TV interview last night, Fox was informed that the Defense Department had relieved his debt.

"He has nothing to pay now," Banks told KDKA correspondent David Highfield.

"Hopefully this will turn into change for not only me but many other soldiers that have lost limbs, become permanently deaf," Fox said. "I hope to see a change for everybody."

"I need to push as hard as I can to stop this, because it's just not right."

Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., told the station that he has proposed a bill that would guarantee soldiers receive full benefit of bonuses.

"Hard as it may be to believe, the Department of Defense has been denying injured servicemen and women the bonuses that they qualified for," Altmire said at a press conference last month for H.R. 3793.

I wonder how many honest vets paid back the money before this? I think the US Department of the Armed Forces need to get their act together and start treating these people of what they really are, and that is HERO''s.....shame on the government.

[Krazcarl]

Got to love The USA and we wonder why dsertations are up.

[missingamerica]

Another example of the fallacy of running the government "like a business".

That "save a buck at all costs" comes from the top down, and is why we sent too small of a force to invade and pacify Iraq, why we have lost so many servicemembers there, and at least partially why we are still there.

Accomplish the assigned mission first, and then submit the bill. If somebody kicks up a fuss because it might jeopardize the tax cuts given to this Administration''s supporters, go to the media with specifics.

[prinzowhales]

The ''officers and gentlemen'' who are demanding this should be beaten through the streets, tarred and feathered and thrown into a hog lagoon.

Soldiers! Your enemy and America''s enemy is in Washington! We have been betrayed...the borders are open...the gates of the Treasury are open and thieves and dogs stalk the halls of Congress, the Courts and the corridors of the White House. It is time to restore the Constitutional Republic!

[trillion1]

This is not at all surprising considering the character of the people running this country.

[psk123-2009]

Now isn''t that just a swift kick in the pants. This is NO way to treat our vets. Nothing short of disrespectful, shameful, embarassingly evil behaviour on the part of the government.

[slim1h2o]

SNAFU

[ov442]

This comes from the Top down, there is a long held core disrespect for our combat soldiers from the top brass in the Pentagon and the White house.
They all talk talk talk about "support the troops" but all that means to them is keep voting for more cash which goes to the Pentagon for distribution.

Actions always speak louder than words and the military command structure has had these policies in place and enforces them on those that have sacrificed the most.
A couple years ago, we had so many wounded going to our medical facility on base in Germany that many had to be sent to German hospitals for care. Those soldiers then recieved a bill from the hospitals for various services because the US military refused to pay for them....including food.
Nice.

[qwaszx1-2009]

If a were to happen with a Democratic president we would be hearing all the anti-military, anti-American, double standard screaming from the right. Where is the outrage? Just wait for President Hillary Clinton.

[mlissab]

I agree that this is disgraceful treatment of vets and wonder how many before have repaid. My comment to the rest of you is: there is one thing that we, as the general public, can do about the disgrace and that is pay very close attention over the next 11 months to what is being said and what is REALLY meant by those trying to be elected to Washington. The President is a lame duck and we have the power to do something about what happens next. If you do not go out and vote you do not have the right to complain. I am not implying that you do not vote, I am just stressing its importance!

[jwoods51]

[micma-2009]

Don''t worry wounded vets. Help is on the way. Bush is sending you a nice "support the troops" bumper sticker courtesy of the RNC.

[jwoods51]

Such treatment of our veterans is sadly the result of misused funds allocated for their very purpose. Nationwide there are State Approving Agencies enacted by Congress to ensure veterans receive educational benefits. There are also even in North Dakota more than 50 persons duplicating tasks under the guise to help veterans. In this digital age we can cut the waste by removing the bottlenecks that preserve a system of mediocrity.

Veterans and their families could benefit greatly by less rhetoric and more help. The money is already there. It just is being spent on conventions and coffee mugs.

[myidoncbs]

This is "Compassionate Conservatism" at work!

Bush only cares about his oil buddies.
Cheney only cares making war on the world.

Nobody in this administration gives a damm about the troops. They are just cogs in the machine, to be used and then discarded when worn out or broken.

War is game that benefits the few, to the detriment of all. The only winning move is not to play the game.

[macusweil]

Bush - Commander in Thief

Bush is just a heavy drinking frat-boy who ran scared from Vietnam and even played hokey from his state-side duties. How can anyone expect him to be a true leader of men? "Support our troops" was only the hollow neo.con battle cry to get the hearts of the American people behind their failed attempt at nation building.The never meant a word of it really and their actions tell it all. Our brave GIs are the ones paying such an enormous price for Bush''s arrogance & ignorance.

I''m voting for Congressman Ron Paul in the Feb 5th NYS GOP primary, a vet who is the last best hope for the party.

www.ronpaul4all.com

[azelb]

Too much of the Veterans Funding from Congress is used to pay for bureaucrats instead of skilled assistance that the veteran needs. If every area had a Social Worker with adequate funding to help the Veterans utilize the organizations which are available for their assistance the veterans would be better served.

[kailumego1]

What''s truly pathetic all these "rowdy" Republicans endorsing this bogus war, out here trying to peddle their propaganda to millions.

Recruiters go to schools, college campuses, broken down neighborhoods, etc. selling "snake oil" to vulnerable misinformed young men and women manipulating and coercing them to join, and this is the thanks they get.

How many of those Republican hypocrites have enlisted to serve or encouraged their sons or daughters to enlist?

How many of those Republican hypocrites on "Capital Hill" have sons or daughters fighting in this illegal war?

And how many sons and daughters of corporate America are enlisted to fight?

[kailumego1]

I wouldn''t dare encourage any one I knew or have known to join this "illegal" farce.

And I certainly wouldn''t encourage my son or daughter to join, to fight for corporate America''s interest.

[clarkssuppor]

Lets face it. This enitre government (replubicans and democrats) are involved in supporting Israel and that is why our servicemen continue to die and get injured.

[hillaryin08]

Is it true that the bush haters blame everything on him because they lead insignificant lives and are always looking for someone to blame for it? I think its called pathological jealousy.

Jealousy can quickly become problematical and pathological. It is based on insecurity and a low self-esteem. The most lain definition is to slam someone else in a position of authority to prop yourself up. Most of the bush haters see the president as a dominant figure in a position they could never hope to achive therefore by demonizing this individual makes them feel better about themselves and gives their miserable insignificant lives meaning.

[micma-2009]

Don''t worry wounded vets. Help is on the way. Bush is sending you a nice "support the troops" bumper sticker courtesy of the RNC.

[prinzowhales]

hillaryin08--Thankyou for using this as an opportunity to try and diminish the attacks on Hillary by attacking those who criticise the Chimp with sophmoric psychologizing. Your handle--''hillaryin08'' lets us know that the same War Pigs who supported the Chimp are now drifting into the "Cattle Futures" Clinton contemptible camp.

And, I suppose that your life is somehow more ''significant'' because you put lipstick on a pig...decrying the disdain heaped on this liar and mass murderer while supporting one of his senatorial hod carriers?

[donbl1]

Just a computer foulup that makes for yellow journalism but will eventually be rectified.

[speakinup]

kailumego1 - your lame arguments are a couple of years late. Besides which - didn''t a famous liberal Kennedy, say:

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

As for your ''chickenhawk'' theory - does this mean that Hillary will not be qualified to run for office, because in the event we need to defned ourself she will be subject to your same complaints ?

So take your HATE somewhere else liberal. You are doing NOTHING but Bush bashing.

[speakinup]

"Don''''t worry wounded vets. Help is on the way. Bush is sending you a nice "support the troops" bumper sticker courtesy of the RNC. Posted by micma

Yeah - like this was decided by the RNC.

Micma - why doesn''t your nation - the ''indian nation'' do something to support the troops ? Spend a little of the Casino money and help these folks ? Or, doesn''t it matter to you that much ?

[godofredo29]

Deerhunter Redux.

[b-easy63]

hortly before appearing on a national TV interview last night, Fox was informed that the Defense Department had relieved his debt.

"He has nothing to pay now," Banks told KDKA correspondent David Highfield.

guess all the other THOUSANDS need to appear on fox to get relief and/or get their bonus money back.

walter reed, losing personal data on vets, using chemical weapons testing on vets, making them pay for their straws and use of phone at the hospitals....now this--and we think this Admin supports the troops? they do not. They USE the troops. Get a clue people, Bush is throwing them out by the dozens.

[oeangus]

Me, I think I''d be so thankful just to be alive, back home and in one piece, that I''d give them the whole **** bonus back if they wanted it!

[oleander8]

"guess all the other THOUSANDS need to appear on fox to get relief and/or get their bonus money back."[Posted by b-easy63 ]

The mans name was Jordan Fox - he appeared on a CBS affiliate.

[b-easy63]

Posted by Prinzowhales at 11:24 AM : Nov 21, 2007


Hilary08 is a neo con and the remarks always show that (always anti -dems and Hilary) but the moniker are sarcasm

[cj7jeepstir]

Just another pathetic example of the most incompetent, ignorant, uncaring, selfish, and crooked government this country has ever had to endure.

[pepaw22]

I guess it wasn''t enough for the politcians to get the Viet (Baby Killing/Women Killing) Vets showered with rotten, raw eggs and spoiled veggies. They have to screw the next generation of soldiers. This generation at least had the support of the majority of the general public and they (the politicians)knew that. So, another avenue had to be explored. If this action had not been discovered "they" would have gotten away with it, as in the ''70s. Though I don''t feel sorry for these next generation of DAV''s, I do sympathize. We were screwed, now it''s their turn. It don''t make it right. It just makes it political. And until the politicians are taken out of the equation of War, the Vet''s will always be the ones who get screwed in someway, shape or form.

GSgt McCarty, USMC Retired

[stevex47]

All I can say is, no pardons for anyone from this administration. Their crimes will be revealed and they will pay.

[mnature12]

This si pure *** !!! Jordan Fox did exactally what his Country asked him to do, Just because he was wounded and sent home DISABLED was not his fault He fofilled his commitment How Dare the Defensd Department treat a Vetren that way.

[sweetness230]

Just another "Ooops" out of thousands by this despicable government -Bush-led, "My bad." Oh, I guess they have now rectified their "Ooops" in this situation. Oh how convenient. (Heavy on the sarcasm.)

For shame, America! For shame!

[harp1963]

We''ll channel trillions of taxpayer dollars through unbid government contracts to companies of friends of Cheney and Bush, but the disabled vets need to pay Uncle Sam back. I love it. Only in America. George Washington, Sam Adams, and Ben Franklin are probably rolling over in their graves.

[sassalin]

b-easy63,
First, let me say that having our soilders come home wounded is horrible but a fact of conflict. I am in the military and if you have been in for any amount of time you know you have things like this happen. You talk to the right people and 99% of the time it is taken care of.

You act like this is the first war the US has been in. If you want to complain about something then complain about how soilders have been treated in the past by US citizens. That is the sick part. At least now the US population supports the troops if not the war.

That young man was not treated unfairly...it was a mistake. It was fixed. He made a choice to join the military. I hope in the future that he is treated fairly but his story is not bad compared to some I have read about.

This is not Bush''s fault. These problems have been swept under the rug for many many years. It just took a war to bring them to light. They are being addresses but the government moves at a different pace than the rest of the US.

I pray for all the soilders and their families. Come home safe!!!

[sleepyric]

This doesn''t surpise me; I worked for the Army for 29 years...and I am telling you, b48151, it is the most inefficient, chaotic, archaic entity in the universe. You b48151 are sort of McCarthy-ish thinking there is a liberal lurking behind every story...grow up - it isn''t a conspiracy, it''s just reality of human stupidity.

[peninsulapar]

We did something right, we corrected a wrong; not in three months, or three days, virtually overnight. DOD is not conspiring to overthrough the population, they are being driven by democratic thuggery, which is how the system works. Remember the "House and Senate" makes the rules. If they are really effective they should issue stupid pills to the cattle in DOD.

[jack3213]

Sadly war is not new or easy. Those men and women in this war have volunteered, there was no draft. Yes, some things definately need to be improved. In this case, it is very fair that he return the money he did not earn or was given under the condition he serve out a specific time frame. Simple math, really.

[bareemperor]

Ask Rumsfeld about this - oh, yeah - he retired as a hero...

[prinzowhales]

b-easy63--I don''t see any sarcasm in her remarks... Many Neo-Cons are drifting into the Hillary camp and his media people are advising her on how NOT to talk herself into a corner about getting out of Iran. Rupert Murdoch is even doing fund raisers for her... she is getting considerable Wall Street support...this reminds me of 1964 when Nelson Rockefellar lost the nomination to Goldwater and all the money went to Brown & Root''s (and Rockefellar''s) candidate LBJ.

Her psychologizing is to deflect criticism--which is usually euphemized as the dreaded "negativity"--by impugning those critical of the authorities she seeks to legitimize--and, in the process, uphold a substitute father figure.

[prinzowhales]

b48151--The liberals don''t have to grasp for bad news out of Iraq...it is inundating the entire world!

Personally, I hope a peaceful solution has been found, but the evidence doesn''t support the idea that it has...though the talk is as chipper as it was in the halcyon days of "Mission Accomplished"...and I anticipate another stroll down Haifa Street with General Betrayus, Barney''s protege...

The fact remains that the Iraqis want us gone. Patrols have been reported to have been greatly curtailed and thus the casualties have been reduced.

But, the fact also remains--this war violates the Nuremberg principles...it was based on lies...it is a war of aggression and it was for Oil and Israel, not necessarily in that order.

[blancadebree]

He should have to pay back his bonus. He is obviously one of those phony soldiers Rush Limbaugh talks about. Or perhaps he is one of those soldiers who is to blame for the current mess in Iraq like Rudy Giuliani mentions. Or he could be one of those traitors Fox News has slammed over comments made against The Best Little War in Iraq. In any case, he is obviously AWOL, because he got injured. If he had avoided injury, he would still be in Iraq, having the time of his life. In fact, I think he should have to pay back all of his earnings and pay for his medical bills for his cowardice for not having the decency to be killed. If he were dead, there would be no media coverage of this soldier at all.

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com

Pack up our troops and bring them home to do the job they volunteered for and protect this country. Deport ALL non citizens, regardless of green card status. Get rid of all the exchange students as well. We know what a few of them did a little over six years ago. Send OPEC their oil back, we have more than enough to sustain us. Let''s see how the world economy will be without all the help we give to other countries. Time to take our country back.

[taddles-2009]

"Simple math, really.

Posted by jack3213 at 12:09 PM : Nov 21, 2007"

You''re wrong. The Military has a stipulation that if you have a pre-existing condition or develop one during training that precludes you from fulfiling a minimum service obligation they can recover some of the bonus money. This is different, he was wounded through no fault of his own was forced to be discharged.

The military is rewriting the contract after the fact and they''ve been doing so for years. This is common practice in the military, if they don''t like the outcome they change the rules of the game.

[bluescoot47]

It''s bad enought that these service men and women pay in to their GI Benefits for college. It they don''t use it within the 10 years after they get out of the service, they LOOSE the money that they have put into their college fund. NOW, the government wants to send a bill to the injured who have served their country honorably.
This is not acceptable and it is an embarrassment that our country treats veterans with so little
respect. I''m a veteran too and this just isn''t right.

[sugarmice-2009]

jack3213 - NO he doesn''t need to return the money. His intentions were to serve this country - he gave part of his life HIS SIGHT - something he will never get back. Something that will cause him to not be able to pursue his life dream of being a police office and serving the citizens again. Why don''t you talk to all the soldiers that came back handicapped because they wanted to do something for this nation, got hurt doing so NOT because of something they did but what because of what they were defending and when they come home, the military says, gee thanks, have a nice life, sorry we can''t help you any more but you are no longer our employee... talk to the spouses who buried their loved one and got a whopping $1500 check and then was sent off on their way...with no more help. Granted things are being changed but they need to change fast and help these soldiers and not just dump them on the streets.

[ramos937]

This story is unbelievable. I really hope someone brings it to SecDef Gates attention ASAP. If Fox is not the only victim but also many other soldiers, then, until this is cured, they should not suffer. Some organization has to step forward and help them. Personally, I would be glad to contribute to this effort. I cannot belive the Pentagon is doing this no matter the rules.

[trumpthumper]

I''m surprised the Presidential hopefuls haven''t wayed in and waffeled on this one. The DOD squashed this one guy''s bill overnight because the story was run at a local level. The faster they kill the controversy, the better. My guess is the bills are still being sent...and they''re hoping that no one else pick''s up on this disgusting injustice to our soldiers. The antics of this administration amaze me. When my kid''s read about this in their history books someday, they will ask, what the heck were we thinking when we put these knuckleheads in office not once - but twice. I never thought my own party (ex own party) would find a President and Vice President that could possibly make Nixon and Agnew look good. Geez, come to think of it, these guys make Larry, Moe, and Curly look good...

Hey Jack3213, I''m sure it''s just a matter of time before the pentagon sends our soldiers a bill for the bullets they waste when they miss their target. How''s that for "just simple math" - you idiot!