Wounded soldiers numbering in the thousands are being sought after by the Pentagon to return portions of their enlistment sign-on bonus because they cannot fulfill the rest of their commitment.
It seems that government officials stop thinking when they rely entirely on rules without including context.
As an incentive to get men and women to join the military, signing bonuses reaching levels of $30,000 are awarded to them. In return, they are to fulfill their tour in its entirety. However, as Pfc. Jordan Fox found out, when a soldier is wounded and therefore unable to fulfill their tour, the military asks for that part of the money back.
While on tour, Fox sustained an injury to his back and became blind in his right eye due to a roadside bomb. So significant were his injuries that he was not able to fulfill his commitment. He was just three months shy of completing his tour.
Fox was contacted by military representatives to pay back $3,000 of his $10,000 bonus.
The Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act was introduced by Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) is designed to keep the Department of Defense from demanding such monies from wounded veterans. While he is pleased with their change in thought, ThinkPress.org has
noted that he is "disappointed that the policy does not go further by stating that wounded soldiers will also receive the remaining balance of future bonus payments."
Wounded veterans who have received such demands to pay back portions of their signing bonuses are encouraged to call 800-984-8523 to seek resolution.
