A friend was recently medically retired from the Navy. 100% disabled by both the VA and Navy. He has brain cancer. He was a nuke tech on a submarine. So near occupational exposure to radiation all the time. Who knows how he got brain cancer but its kind questionable to me.
Well he got a bill from the navy for his re-enlistment bonus today. For all of it not just part. He served two years of his re-einlistment 2 left.
He didnt choose to leave the navy he would still be there if he could.
Does he really have to pay it back is there anything he can do he has no money. His bills add up to more than his monthly VA allowance.
2007-10-03 05:14:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No, he does not. Have him get in contact with his congressman. Make sure he has a copy of his contact, the bonus paperwork, his DD-214, his disability paperwork, and the letter from the Navy. If he tries to do this himself they will just pass him around and no one will really help him. With his congressman, meaning his staff, involved it will be taken care of in a month or so.
2007-10-03 05:20:50 · answer #1 · answered by Chris 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't let the Navy do this. That's crazy! There is no stipulation that if you become medically incapacitated that is service connected you are required to pay back any bonus. Tell the Navy to stick it and that there are still "X" amount of months left on his contract so PAY UP!
Oh, and call your Representative. Geeze! Some nerve the military has. Kick a guy when he is down. Bastards!
And I am 22 1/2 year military man!
2007-10-03 05:24:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd contact the DAV and Veteran's Assistance... ASAP and get them involved.
I had a shipmate discharged for hearing loss 2 years into a 4 year reenlistment (total service was 15 years). He was a fellow Aircrewman, and the Navy tried to claim that he had to repay the bonus he had received (75%, since you get 1/2 up front, and then the remainder each year).
Amazing, because he had fullfilled his contract up until discharge, the medical condition was a result of his work, and then wanted the payment to be retroactive !!
It took him 4 years of letter writing and hard work, but fortunatley, the Navy backed off and conceded that he owed them nothing. Of course it took a lawyer threatening to take the issue public with the papers.
Just FYI, Senator Boxer and Speaker Pelosi are his elected-officials who did NOTHING... not even responding to his letters. Senator Feinstein DID respond, and gave his case a nudge.
2007-10-03 05:30:52 · answer #3 · answered by mariner31 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The fastest and easiest way to resolve this would be through the US Navy Inspector General's office. See the link below for contact information.
Make sure you have all the relevant documents handy.
2007-10-03 08:59:32 · answer #4 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's a paperwork snafu. happens too often to admit. No, he is not required to repay the first 2 years he got, but he is not entitled to the remainder. have him speak to his VA rep.
2007-10-03 07:22:10 · answer #5 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, contact his congressional representatives and the media too. Few people can believe it's right to do this to a vet!
2007-10-03 05:21:15 · answer #6 · answered by Middleclassandnotquiet 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
have your friend contact his Senator and Representative.
2007-10-03 05:18:53 · answer #7 · answered by Lavrenti Beria 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋