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dcornutt · PO3 Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 267 Location: Brooklyn, NY

He clearly said in his fox interview that he had heard stories about this happening to other people..and that after doing a local interview ..there were numerous people who called in to say it had happend to them as well (they recieved the letters). That's what started this whole thing rolling (his appreance on a local Pittsburg show). I would also remind that it's not one letter..but 2. He recieved a 2nd letter demanding payment within 30 days.

"In late October, Fox got a letter from the Army seeking repayment of part of his enlistment bonus because he had only completed about a year of his three-year service. Another letter arrived a week later warning he could be charged interest if he didn't make a payment within 30 days.within 30 days or else."

The army initially responded to the intial media exposure of this thusly:

"Soldiers who are injured or become ill while on active duty can keep all sign-up bonuses due them, the Army said. But the Army hasn't decided whether to pay Fox his unused leave", Army spokesman Major Nathan Banks said. The statement came after Fox appeared on local and national TV and radio shows to talk about the letter.

From there, it seems..the pentagon was compltely unaware of the issue until major media outlets were banging on their door. After we find the total number of people who were sent these letters (and follow up letters demanding payment...as if the first mistake wasn't enough), I think we are going to have a full blown fan/**** party. Because frankly..it appears for now that it may be thousands.

dcornutt · PO3 Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 267 Location: Brooklyn, NY

I would also add...it doesn't matter if it's even ONE. The way this was handeld...clearly shows a "complete" breakdown in the system and chain of command.

The fact that they can muster a correct response after it's reaming them a new *******...doesn't exactly create any sort of confidence.

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

dcornutt, let me suggest that there appears to be no real argument here, only an emphasis or focus on 2 different aspects to this story...and let's stipulate from the git go that there is NO criticism at all directed towards Sgt? Fox by anyone. In fact, based upon what we've all been reading and quite to the contrary, he has done exactly the RIGHT thing in opening up to the media in his effort to correct an obvious wrong by a recalcitrant, stodgy bureaucracy both for himself and his fellow wounded veterans.

That being said, is there a veteran who ever served that didn't experience at some point a "SNAFU" in the administration of their pay? The Army had been denying me over a year's worth of TDY pay I thought I was entitled to and had earned during my training. Several appeals to and through the system had fallen on deaf ears and I had, quite frankly, given up the pursuit. Not until I had the good fortune to benefit from the sharp eye of a finance officer while in RVN (who noted the discrepancy himself without prompting from me during a "routine" review of my records) was my pay restored...and not an inconsiderable sum at that.

But what also troubles me/us about this matter is the degree of zeal which the media can seemingly muster and apply to episodes such as this, further evidencing their built-in, opportunistic propensity to cast military administration, support and even the troops themselves in an unfavorable light at any given opportunity. Would that their collective lack of focus or attention on the incredible daily heroics and sacrifices of our troops be as easily recognized...and corrected.

BuffaloJack · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

Deuce · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject:

Deuce · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject:

Deuce · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject:

dcornutt · PO3 Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 267 Location: Brooklyn, NY

Yes...we are not in disagreement on the substantive issue. Yes, I know military is redtape, snafu, etc. I know there "are" depts that are "supposed" to handle such things or who can handle such problems..who may or may not have been aware of this either. I fail to see how that changes who is ultimately responsible for this, nor does it minimize the damage this is likely to cause.

Personally, I would hope that our mlitary commanders and officers are held to a HIGHER standard than your average private sector secretary (who would most likely be FIRED for such a "snafu"). I would demand it from the people who served under me...as it is demanded of me by the people I serve, who's sons and daughters I watch after.

edit: CNN..."is" the enemy and always has been. They do the same thing to everybody. Is this somehow "news" to the pentagon? We train our soliders to defeat our enemies...not ....play into their hand and then cry about it. CNN ...and other media outlets as well as politicians....WILL..use whatever mistakes are made to their own purposes. That's just a given. The point there...is not how much zeal CNN has in doing it. It's in how ill-prepared the pentagon was..and how open they were to attack. Blaming CNN isn't going to fix anything.

That's all I have to say.

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

Is it all good things or bad things that come in 3's?. Here's #3 in a recurring theme by Gregg Zoroya...

BuffaloJack · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject:

Actually Me#1You#10,

The brain injury thing is something the defense department has recently shown a desire in trying to do something constructive about. They know far more of our warriors get unseen injuries than most people would admit. They recently requested quotes from industry for a blast dosimeter device. It is supposed to be small enough to wear as a badge or attach to a helmet. It is supposed to measure loudness of a blast, intensity of light and thermal radiation coming from a blast, pressure front and g-forces experienced by the wearer. This is a low power recording device that medical people can look at and tell how severe the exposure has been. It will also due the cumulative thing. Supposedly this will help those who get near misses, get internally injured, or may be in need of treatment even though they don't know it.

Jack
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Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

Sounds like a good idea to me Jack but I am somewhat surprised that this whole concept and awareness of concussive damage to the brain appears to be seen as some relatively new phenomenon. I'm a bit puzzled.

BuffaloJack · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject:

Me#1You#10,
Silly boy, it's all about lawsuits and liability.
When you and I were in the service, nobody every hear of someone suing for hot coffee either.
Now they have lawyers who are out to drain every last cent from whoever is in a position to pay.
Jack
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Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

GoophyDog · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:45 am Post subject:

coldwarvet · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject:

Politicians operating one move at a time. How could it not be for seen that benefactors of a signing bonus might not fulfill the terms of the bonus due to war injury. Or maybe they just wanted to be in position to recover the bonus from any ticket punchers like John Kerry.
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