Troops have to pay $75 for R&R plus other outrageous $ charges

[donsu]

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?letter_id=43297046

-snip-

2. Uniforms and supplies: My son has been in Iraq since day one of the war. Recently he contacted us very upset because he was told his uniforms where not inspection ready and he would be placed on extra duty. He was told that he needs to contact family or friends back in the U.S. to purchase new uniforms and correct patches. The Army does not have the time or resources to provide uniforms to each and every service member in Iraq (stated to him via his chain of command).

My wife and I contact the uniform shop at Fort Campbell, KY about buying and sending new uniforms to my son. We where told that the uniform shop does not carry the uniforms used in Iraq, we need to contact one of several civilian stores outside the base. My wife traveled 1000 miles (Houston to Fort Campbell) to purchase over priced new uniforms and supplies and have them shipped to my son (cost of over $800.00). I questioned my son as to why the Army did not purchase these uniforms for him, he responded that they only provide two sets initially (cost deducted from his pay), additional purchases must be made by the member since he receives an annual clothing allowance of around $200.

-snip-

3. Special Resort: Last month my son and other members of his unit had to turn down the opportunity to get away from combat for a couple days, because they did not feel it was right that they had to pay monies out of their pocket to stay at a special location established outside Mosul Iraq by the Army. To visit this so called resort, each member is required to pay a $75.00 deposit plus all meals consumed at this resort (3 day pass). As of today, my son and others are lucky to get 1 or 2 meals a week that are not defined as MRE’s. And now we tell them that you need to pay the Army to get a couple days away from combat!

Over all, I’m embarrassed by the way our service members and their families are treated. Many of the young families (spouses left behind) are choosing to forgo food and other essentials to be able to purchase needed supplies, postage, and phone cards for their loves one stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. My wife and I spend over $200 per month to purchase and mailed need items to my son, I can afford this, however those E-3’s and E-4’s with families can not. Something must be done; I was a supporter of President Bush and the republican platform, but since keeping the Presidents image-up (flying onto a Naval Carrier) and taking month long vacations while men die everyday overseas, is more important then the youth of America. I can no longer support this administration or any of the elected republican.

Darrell Mathis
The Woodlands, TX
---------------------------------

so, there is a special "resort" in Iraq that the troops can R&R at for a price.

wonder what it is like? (I'm thinking liquor and whores - tell me I'm wrong, please)

[madrchsod]

1. it`s prob. being run

by the same guys and company that was running prositutes/children in the balkans. i can`t remember who but they were part of bush and cheny`s ring of thieves. they will prob. get some booze,whores ,who knows....

[atreides1]

2. This Is Outrageous

When I went to Desert Storm, we were issued two sets of Desert BDU's, for free. We were authorized four sets to include two pairs of desert combat boots.

When I finally arrived at my unit, which was a Supply & Transportation
Batallion, we had a section that issued uniforms. Granted they did not have all the different sizes, but it was free. All that was required was that soldiers with unserviceable uniforms, trade one for one.

But of course, unlike now, the supply support was done by other soldiers instead of civilians who don't care, and are not subject to the hardships that the troops are facing every day.

The actions of the Republican controlled Congress, and remarks like that given by Rep. Neverserved, show the true feelings that the Republicans have regarding our military.

And as far as I'm concerned anyone that continues to support the Republican party, and this administration are nothing but traitors
and should suffer the same fate that was unjustly given to William Wallace, because that's all they desreve.

[onebigbadwulf]

4. Support the troops!

Yes I always wondered....

Which part of "support the troops" means:

1. send them to die
2. charge them for uniforms
3. charge them for meals in the hospital
4. take away their retirement benefits


...just curious. Have the republicans done ANYTHING to support the troops? No.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. I saw a little snip on the news about the R & R

place.....the "Resort". It's one of Saddam's palaces. I can't believe the troops have to pay to stay there! That sucks!

[monkeyboy]

5. Is this part of the privatizing of the armed forces?

I'll bet this can be traced to Haliburton or a similar Bush-owned-and-operated company.

[rocktivity]

6. CALL YOUR CONGRESSPEOPLE

and tell them NOT TO GIVE BUSH ANOTHER DIME for his war until he's accounted for EVERY DIME he's already spent, AND explains why the soldiers are underequipped!


rocknation

[Mari333]

7. No one but the soldiers really know whats going on,,HELL

USA-- “It was like a long trip to hell that you knew you might return from. Of course it is as bad as the soldiers say it is. Hell it’s even worse if the truth has to come out. It’s a constant fu..ing nightmare trying to figure out where the guerillas are going to hit, how to keep the civilians calm, and also getting enough water and food to eat. That is one thing the media never really told the Americans about, how bad it was when our convoys weren’t getting through. We had to go to some Iraqi people and trade socks and underwear for some food and a little water



http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00105.htm