Thousands Of California Vets Who Fought With National Guard Told To Repay Their Enlistment Bonuses
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — "It certainly hurts the credibility going forward if we can't depend on the promises that were made to us when we volunteered to put our life on the line," says retired Commander Francis McVey of the US Navy.
Nearly a decade ago, the US Armed Forces was short on troops after years of fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The California National Guard offered thousands of soldiers bonuses to enlist, up to $15,000 to go to war.
The government is now asking for that money back.
McVey is the president of Santa Clara County's Veterans Council.
"The way to fix it if the law needs to be changed," says McVey, "that's what elected officials are for. They should fix the problem not lay it off on what in fact are turning into the victims."
The money was given to the soldiers upfront, similar to an athlete getting a signing bonus.
According to the LA Time, the bonus money was supposed to be limited to soldiers who were taken on high-demand assignments.
A federal investigation uncovered thousands of bonuses and student loan payments that were given to California Guard soldiers who didn't qualify under the high-demand assignment criteria.
Fajardo also spoke to retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer Warren Finch who also served in the Guard.
She asked him if he believed the money should be returned?
"I don't think so." he said, "I think they took the bonus honestly believing that's what they were authorized. To be perfectly honest I think the people that did it, promised them the bonus should be the ones paying it back."
Finch says as the military works to sort out accusations of fraud and mismanagement, it's the soldiers who are paying the price.
"It also could discourage people from joining the military and that hurts especially when you have an all-volunteer army," says Finch.
The LA Times said this "give it back" policy would affect 10,000 current and retired soldiers. A Guard spokesperson said the figure would actually be much lower.
The California National Guard believe it is under fire and it also looking for legislative help. A spokesperson wrote, "The California National Guard does not have the authority to unilaterally waive these debts., However, the California National Guard welcomes any law passed by Congress to waive these debts."
The ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee is from the Inland Empire. Fajardo reached Rep Mark Takano by phone -- be declined to talk and referred her to his chief of staff.
