NEW YORK (CBS) - 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.
This reminds me of a time back in 98 during Ranger School. I was RTO on a movement down the Yellow River and my longwhip antenna broke when we went under some trees when it got hung up. When finishing and handing in equipment the supply guy tried to make me sign a damage statement that I would cough up some cash for the antennae as it was done due to my negligence.
So I of course raised a stink and an RI said how dumb that was and POGS are worthless etc etc. End of the story is I did not have to pay to replace the antenna. Does not compare to having to pay for battefield damaged equipment.
From what I recall that was the easiest stuff to explain away. When equipment was damaged on a hit, which happens damn near everytime, a quick statement was sent up in the post action report. That was it. I would guess the commanders for those units sending out bills are more concerned with not making the statements on damaged goods so they can say they never had damaged equipment and look good on their OER’s.
Before anyone jumps me about saying it was an officers fault. The NCO’s should automatically conduct their PCI’s after action so they can get damaged equipment repaired or replaced. Who wants to go fight with a busted optic?
[quote]deadleg wrote:
This reminds me of a time back in 98 during Ranger School. I was RTO on a movement down the Yellow River and my longwhip antenna broke when we went under some trees when it got hung up. When finishing and handing in equipment the supply guy tried to make me sign a damage statement that I would cough up some cash for the antennae as it was done due to my negligence.
So I of course raised a stink and an RI said how dumb that was and POGS are worthless etc etc. End of the story is I did not have to pay to replace the antenna. Does not compare to having to pay for battefield damaged equipment.
From what I recall that was the easiest stuff to explain away. When equipment was damaged on a hit, which happens damn near everytime, a quick statement was sent up in the post action report. That was it. I would guess the commanders for those units sending out bills are more concerned with not making the statements on damaged goods so they can say they never had damaged equipment and look good on their OER’s.
Before anyone jumps me about saying it was an officers fault. The NCO’s should automatically conduct their PCI’s after action so they can get damaged equipment repaired or replaced. Who wants to go fight with a busted optic? [/quote]
dead is absolutely right on this one. Before and after a mission, even routine ones, an NCO should check or at least ask his soldiers if their equip survived. I’m guessing this poor guy is getting fucked around with by some vindictive supply POG or he was truly a fuck up within his service and deserves it.
Thinking about it again. I would bet that most of those bills stem from the supplemental issue guys get before deploying and also in country. As these charges are chasing these guys after they got out I would bet they did not turn in the supplemental gear they were given when they did their final outprocessing. $700 bucks is not much money so it would not be charges for durable goods most likely.
I imagine it accounts for an extra mitch or two, some extra polypro, gortex and clothing related stuff.