Can someone from Army finance answer my question?

Question

My husband was in the Marines for 4 yrs. He was inactive reserve for 4 yrs. He has been active duty Army for 18 months. PSB gave him credit for 8 yrs of service when he came into the Army. He re-enlisted last week and was told his bonus was smaller due to be a "long term" service member. This week when his LES became available for viewing I noticed that his base pay was not what it usually is. He is in Iraq so when he called I told him to check on his pay. He was told by finance that his time in service had been done incorrectly by PSB here at Ft Bragg and that he now only has credit for 5 yrs of service and his pay was being adjusted accordingly. They also said that they were giving him 8 yrs of credit in relation to his retirement, but not in relation to figuring his pay. Can they take away yrs of credit after almost 18 mos. now in the Army? Should he now be eligible for a larger bonus? We have to repay the money he was paid in error (@ a rate of $850/mo!). What can I do?

My husband is a career soldier. We agreed that he would only leave the Army on wheels--in a wheelchair (old age), on a stretcher or in a hurse. He just signed for 6 more yrs. It is just infuriating how the Army can say, "Oh well, our mistake, but you suffer." It is a decrease of over $300/mo in his pay, so it is substantial to us. All future raises are a percentage of his pay, so they build on the changed amount. Now, with his next promotion he still won't be getting as much as his has been since his last promotion in February. I am an RN so we won't starve, but he has been being "over paid" for 9 mos. so we "owe" the Army a lot of money. Is the money, worth any repercussions? Is there anything we can do to make the Army stand by the original DA1506 (form telling him how many yrs he was given credit for)?

Answer 1

Oh boy, I've got terrible news and I hate to even write this - but there is some good news, kind of. First, everything finance has said to date is correct. For pay purposes, only active time can be counted, hence his 4 years + 18 months would put his pay at 5 and 1/2 years approximate. For retirement purposes, they will count the whole stint. (This is the difference between his BPED and BASD dates). It sounds like the initial PSB screwed the pooch on this one. Worse yet, it would also change his eligibility for certain bonuses - so this all sounds legit. Now the semi-good news. If he goes to his finance office, he can have those repayments extended out further (in fact, they can even spread them out over the rest of his contract) under a financial hardship request. His chain of command will have to approve it - but that will be a rubber stamp (or should be). If you need immediate relief (i.e. they already took the money and you are short for bills and what not) you can go to your installation ACS (Army Community Service) and apply for an AER (Army Emergency Relief) loan. His command normally has to approve that as well - but you should be able to process it through his rear detachment. This is terrible that someone's error can so negatively effect you - and no - it sure doesn't seem right. Unfortunately, it is what it is and I wish you the very best. Thank you both for your service.

I would check 2 additional locations for relief. One I recommend, the other I would be wary to do. #1 - have him notify his chain of command FIRST, and then file an IG complaint and request relief from the debt through them. (I imagine your command is going to support this action). The other action is congressional. The problem with a congressional inquiry (writing your congressman for action) is that it takes a significant amount of time as it will first get routed to his unit and bounce around before it finally lands on the PSB and Finance. This also tends to irritate folks beyond all belief and can get your husband a reputation - not all that positive. I would wait to pull the congressional trigger as a last minute, desparate shot. Use the IG and Finance first. I can't make any promises, but this sounds like the best shot. Unfortunately, I have known a few soldiers who have gone through similar "corrections" and have never seen the debt forgiven. They will spread it out as much as possible, but I think you may be up against a long shot. I truly apologize - it shouldn't be like this.

Answer 2

I am not in finance either but the key is the 4yrs inactive reserve,as long as i can remember inactive years were not "GOOD" years as such ( "Good' meaning it counts for BOTH pay and retirement). It seems as though they are counting them for retirement but not pay,I believe they are correct but getting them to admit error will be tough,first you must GET A COPY OF THE REG and read it yourself ,then contact base payroll and get the recovery amount reduced ( with recuiting in the ARMY at an all time low NOBODY WANTS A SOLDIER ON FOODSTAMPS ) Also this is a good time to get to know your congressman or senator -I'm affraid you will find the contract he signed on re-enlistment is clear and binding where it talks about mistakes THEY make and recovery options, and before you make a big stink is he a career soldier or just one more hitch and out as this will follow you if you win and embarrass them-good luck !

Answer 3

No they can not. I'm not Army Finance, but I know better. Your husband has srved..9.5 years in the service. They can not legally take away credit. He is not however eligible for a larger bonus, but you don't have to repay those money paid in error. Call JAG, and tell them. They will deal with finance for you. The fees will be covered 95% since it was PSB that messed up pay grades.
Good luck.