A SOLDIER CHARGED FOR BODY ARMOR!!!!

[freethought]

This is beyond sick!!!

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A former U.S. soldier injured in
Iraq says he was forced to pay $700 for a blood-soaked Kevlar vest that was destroyed after medics removed it to treat shrapnel wounds to his right arm.
<snip>

I last saw the (body armor) when it was pulled off my bleeding body while I was being evacuated in a helicopter," Rebrook told The Charleston Gazette for Tuesday's edition. "They took it off me and burned it."
<snip>
But before he could be discharged last week, he had to scrounge up cash from his buddies to pay for the body armor or face not being discharged for months — all because a supply officer failed to document that the vest had been destroyed more than a year ago as a biohazard.
<snip>

Rebrook's mother, Beckie Drumheler, said she was angry when she learned about the $700 bill. Soldiers who serve their country, those who put their lives on the line, deserve better, she said.

A local radio station apparantly took up this soldiers cause and raised the money in pretty short order. But the guy declined the money. So, how does everyone feel about Rumsfailed "WAR-ON-THE-CHEAP" policy now?

Dear Mr. Rumsfeld,

You are an asshole!

Here's the link.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060208/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/armor_bill

[blonndee]

1. I heard in passing on MSNBC that he's being "refunded."

Disgusting that it happened, and sick that it had to make corporate media before anyone made an attempt to "make it right."

[Selatius]

2. He only got a refund because the newswires picked it up

Otherwise, it's probably a damn good bet that he would've had to pay for it.

[napi21]

6. I'm sure you're right! What we have to do is keep it in the media!

As I said, I heard this is SOP! Somehow we need to keep this in the MSM so every American knows how insane their gov't really is!

[napi21]

3. I've heard and read quite a few statements that this is the norm!

An Army soldier, yesterday on Ed Schultz's program, said it's STD. ops with the Army. Every soldier must return issued gear in it's original condition. He said he, as well as many others, bought a second set of body armor at $900 a set, just so they could hand it back to the Army upon discharge, and get the hell out!

This is a disgusting thing for the military to be doing!

I understand their intent might have been to make sure no one steals things, but once again, there's NO LOGIC incorporated into the program!!!

[freethought]

4. If soldiers were simply on stateside duty or on

overseas assignment, I could see the military wanting the equipment back in good condition. And that would be something a soldier would have to consider their responcibility.
But this is REAL WAR, they are getting shot at, blown up with IEDs, maybe poisoned with depleted uranium, and who knows what else. What does the pentagon expect-"Please Return all of your spent rifle brass resized and polished"!!! This is just so wrong!!!

I'm glad to hear he'll be refunded the money. Still, if this is a standard op-it blows.

In the late 1970's or so my older brother was 2-3 years into a committment with the army. On an act that defied explanation, he totalled a jeep. The army's solution-dishonorable discharge. Get out and stay out. They never billed him for it though.

[napi21]

5. Your statement of "It;s just so wrong" is much to mild! It's BS!!!!

I can't believe the Pentagon really intended for this to happen, but they are so stupid as to believe some people will actually use common sense!

Shame on the Pentagon!

I want this to remain in the NEWS where all Amricans can hear just how stupid theig gov't really is!

[freethought]

7. Yeah, you're correct.

I try to watch my language, even here on DU.

It runs paralell to soldier at Walter Reed being charged for their meals.
"Hey Soldier, sorry you lost your leg(s). Oh by the way here's the bill for your meals. If you pay in 7 days you get a discount!"
God Bless America!

[Swamp Rat]

8. Burn in HELL Rumsfeld!

:mad:

[lpbk2713]

9. I recently read about a Navy pilot who ejected from his FA-18

near Key West. That poor guy is gonna have to get a second job to pay for that bad boy.


http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_037173758.html

[peacebaby3]

10. This is nothing new. When my husband returned from Iraq in April '04 some

of the soldiers that returned at the same time to Ft. Benning were treated the same way when they went to turn in their equipment. Back during this time most people were living in tents so everything got mixed up so some of the soldiers had written their names on certain pieces of equipment like water packs and kevlar vests so the Army told them when they turned them back in that they had damaged them and would now have to reimburse the Army for their cost. Now, here is the real problem...these vests were of such poor quality that they were being phased out (not pulled!) by the Army so when soldiers turned them in they were actually being sold to surplus shops, but the soldiers still had to pay.