Iowa Reps: No Pay, No Deployment for National Guard
Some Guard Members Owed $200 a Day
Some members of Iowa’s National Guard are finally receiving a month worth of $200 a day respite pay they have been owed since their return from an extended deployment in Iraq. The move came after Iowa representatives said the members shouldn’t be sent to Afghanistan next year unless they get the back pay first.
The Iowa National Guard says roughly 700 of its 20,000 members were owed the money after the 2005-2007 Iraq deployment. 3,500 members are set to be sent to Afghanistan in 2010, the single largest deployment from the state since World War 2.
Congressmen said it was completely inappropriate for the guardsmen to be shipped off to Afghanistan before getting their due compensation for the last mission. The troops are expected to spend at least 10 months in Afghanistan, though talk of escalation and a shortage of troops might lead to a longer deployment.
paulBass
October 31st, 2009 at 10:29 am
hey you want all the honor and respect then come back in a coffin.
you might even get a picture with the president
damocles
October 31st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
It is surprising that a Congressman would say anything opposed to the Pentagon.
doofratz
October 31st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
sounds like the stage is set for another "bonus army"
Here after
October 31st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Ever heard of Dennis Kucinich? The only member of congress that refused to sign a secrecy agreement regarding the facts of 911.