I sure all the soldiers involved made it home alive. It isn't their mistake.

Sign on bonuses occur all of this country in the private sector. These soldiers should never be asked to return monies when they have served their country. The enlistment bonuses have to stand. Find the money!




October 22, 2016
By AP

Sacramento, Calif. (AP) — Nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers (click here) have been ordered to repay huge enlistment bonuses a decade after signing up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, a newspaper reported Saturday.

The Pentagon demanded the money back after audits revealed overpayments by the California Guard under pressure to fill ranks and hit enlistment goals. If soldiers refuse, they could face interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens, the Los Angeles Times said.

Faced with a shortage of troops at the height of the two wars, California Guard officials offered bonuses of $15,000 or more for soldiers to reenlist.

A federal investigation in 2010 found thousands of bonuses and student loan payments were improperly doled out to California Guard soldiers. About 9,700 current and retired soldiers received notices to repay some or all of their bonuses with more than $22 million recovered so far.

Soldiers said they feel betrayed at having to repay the money....