Harlingen, Texas, November 21, 2007: Another case of a wounded and disabled soldier being told to return his reenlistment bonus was reported in today’s news. This has happened frequently enough to be a considered nothing less than despicable and shameful conduct on the part of the Department of Defense. Because these Young Lions give of their blood and bodies in the service of their nation and are no longer considered fit to wear the uniform…. they are charged with not fulfilling their enlistment contract.
That they are not fulfilling that contract is not due to their neglect or violation of their oath to serve, but because their own country has determined they can no longer serve on active duty. Because of someone else’s determination, these servicemen and women are being told to repay the government thousands of dollars. Has anyone ever heard of any government decision more stupid?
If you look back into the history of warfare and military services, you will find countless cases of those with disabilities continuing to serve in uniform. It was common in the German Army of World War II. Russian soldiers of that war also remained in active service after receiving disabling wounds.
During World War II the United States used women to fill the positions of men in non-combat positions. This allowed the able bodied men to serve in more hazardous locales. It seems logical that a similar approach could be used today, only now we could shift our actions away from gender specific assignments and consider relieving both men and women filling non combat related positions with those who have suffered disabling wounds. There are many of these young men and women who would prefer to remain in uniform and contribute in some fashion to the readiness of their branch of the armed forces.
Granted, there are those who have been so severely wounded that they can do little in the way of continued service. That should be understood …and they should NEVER be ordered to repay any monies. However, there are hundreds of service personnel who could be retrained to fill the positions of computer operators, telephone service personnel, drivers, administrators, food service personnel, health service personnel, or communications.
There are those among our wounded warriors who already have training suitable for many of these positions. They could be used in religious services, public affairs, finance, legal services and intelligence. Others could be trained to handle electronic maintenance, supply, and logistics, broadcasting…and even as journalists.
The United States government has always been known for its blundering politicos and a military establishment with acute tunnel vision. They should at least attempt to shake off some of their brain cobwebs in Washington and look at the vast number of humaan beings they are attempting to make into waste products when these same individuals could be used as productive members of the military team. The disabled soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine filling a non combat role would free others who are now needed to maintain a strong volunteer force fighting to separate wars. Along with that Mr. Bean Counter, they would be completing their contract and you would have no reason to ask them to return bonuses.
