BOSTON -- Some soldiers who have been given sign-up bonuses or separation bonuses to help them transition back to civilian life have found been ordered to pay back the money.
"You have to start at ground zero. I knew that when I got out. I didn't think it would be this hard," Kelly Ratcliffe said.
Ratcliffe, 28, was a military police officer until she was injured in Iraq.
"I was engaged in combat. I went to get in prone position, and my knee went out. I had to have an Iraqi civilian carry me back to my truck," she said.
Ongoing problems with her knee would ultimately end Ratcliff's distinguished 8½-year military career. The North Brookfield native returned home to an uncertain future. The only bright light was a separation bonus to help her get back on her feet.
"I applied for disability. When I received my disability rating they told me I would not see a penny until all that separation pay was paid back," she said.
Jordan Fox, a Pittsburgh soldier, was asked to pay back $3,000 of his enlistment bonus after a roadside bomb left the 21-year-old blind in one eye.
In an e-mail, the Department of Defense told NewsCenter 5 its policy forbids recouping bonuses after a combat injury because it would be contrary to equity and good conscience.
But thousands of soldiers said they were asked to return bonuses, prompting Congress to take action. Late Tuesday, Congress voted to stop the practice, ensuring that soldiers discharged as a result of combat-related wounds receive full bonuses within 30 days of discharge.
Ratclifffe said that she hopes the Department of Defense will reconsider taking her bonus money. The Pentagon has acknowledged that some of the orders are mistakes. They allowed the severely wounded Pennsylvania soldier to keep his bonus.
Figures. I receive a disability for an active duty injury and mine was suspended last month because I had 30 days of active duty in 06. For that thirty days I lose almost three months worth of disability pay. Almost twice what I made on active duty for 30 days! ????
Posted by: SinePari
Another reason people leave the military. They fuck you on the way in AND out.
Posted by: justanotherparatrooper
the bean counters that do this stuff should be pushed out the ass end of a c141 with no chute! friggin pricks
Posted by: rg1283
The bean counters are who lost the Vietnam War. WTF is up with this. Unless your sitting on a million dollars at home, then you shouldn't have to pay back $1 of that money.
Posted by: jettsixx
This is ridiculous, the govt. should be giving more to the soldiers not taking away from them.
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