04/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2024 13:52
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Trent Kelly (MS-01), and Michael Waltz (FL-06)sent a letter to National Guard Bureau Chief General Daniel R. Hokanson demanding to know why the Guard continues to fail to fully pay reenlistment bonuses owed to more than 13,000 servicemembers and expressing concern that servicemembers are now being forced to cut through bureaucratic red tape to receive what they are owed.
"Civilians are not required to navigate through an extensive, months-long claims process just to get the payments they were promised for doing their job. It is deeply disappointing that the Guard believes that they can withhold payment when it involves our men and women in uniform," the Members write. "Beyond severely impacting recruitment and retention, it signals a lack of respect for their service, particularly for our enlisted men and women."
Recent reporting indicates that the Guard is sending out letters to people that its records show may still be owed a bonus. However, these letters do not indicate if or when they can expect to receive their bonus, or even how much they are owed. Instead, letter recipients are required to submit a claim for payment as well as full documentation of service.
To address the many concerns around this system, the Members ask the following questions:
Full text of the letter can be found HERE.
This letter follows an initial inquiry the Members sent last November.
READ MORE: After 9,000 Guardsmen Weren't Paid Owed Bonuses, House Lawmakers Say They Want Answers (Military.com)