Massachusetts Politicians protest possible National Guard pay cut

[Ian David]

BOSTON -- The state's congressional delegation is fighting a plan to cut the pay of 500 Massachusetts National Guardsmen serving in Kosovo.

The guardsmen, who are not scheduled to return home until December, earn an extra $225 a month in tax-free combat pay for serving in the Balkans. But the Pentagon is considering whether that duty qualifies for the extra money.

The delegation has sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates opposing the proposal. Senator John Kerry says it would be wrong to add "undue financial burdens" on soldiers.

Kevin Maloney of Stoughton is serving in Kosovo. His wife, Marcy, says he was told of the decision to withdraw combat status could occur by April first.

More:
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/MI2757/

[BOSSHOG]

1. Cantcha just feel that conservative compassion?

Taking $225.00 a month away from the grunts. bush supporters must be swelling with pride.

[atreides1]

2. Some questions

1. What type of unit is it? Military Police, Infantry, Armor?

2. Where in the Balkans is the unit located, besides Kosovo?

3. Are the Balkans still listed as a hazardous duty area, or has the Pentagon changed its status?

In other words this report is a little thin on facts, and most of us here like to make sure of what all the facts are before we go jumping in.

As a veteran I find the concept of taking away hazard duty pay, as long as the troops are in danger,
to be reprehensible. But, before I make a judgment on whether this decision is right or wrong, I want to have all of the facts.

[Ian David]

3. It's from WHDH. I regularly need to spell-check their articles before posting.

The other day, they reported on a car that exploded in Salem, New Hampshire... then the same car exploded in Salem, Massachusetts... and then again in New Hampshire.

I'm sure that there's more on this out in the googlesphere somewhere.

[Ian David]

4. Here's more

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Politicians protest possible National Guard pay cut


The Associated Press

<snip>

Marcy Maloney of Stoughton, whose husband Spc. Kevin Maloney is based in Kosovo, said he was told the decision to withdraw combat status could occur by April 1.

"They're telling them the job they did yesterday isn't that important today," said Marcy Maloney, who is taking care of 3- and 6-year-old children. "These guys are sacrificing so much. People are having babies while these guys are gone. It's like a kick while you're down."

<snip>

The Massachusetts guardsmen make up nearly one-third of the 1,700 U.S. troops assigned to Kosovo, which still sees incidences of violence.

"They've had explosions, and there have been (local) people killed," Marcy Maloney said. "It's definitely not a quiet place."

Withdrawing combat status for soldiers serving in the region would also mean that those returning home on leave would have to pay for what had been free flights home.

More:
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070314/APN/703142114

Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe">http://www.boston.com/globe