Please read

[ChuckD]

On April 1 of 06 I got the word I was going to Iraq. We left AZ on Aug 4. While in Iraq Congress passed a bill called the Reserve Income Replacement Program. Which means if your called up on an involuntary status they will make up the differance in lost wages of your civilian job up to $3000 a month. I applied for and started recieving RIRP in Feb. 07. I got injured while in Iraq and also got a kidney disease. I declined a medivac and stayed with my unit till the end. When we got back to the states in Oct. 07, I was examinied by Dr.'s that said I needed to stay in Ft. Bliss for futher medical treatment. As a result of that I was placed on MRP (Medical Retention Program) orders. I found out last week that they stopped my RIRP. The reason is that MRP orders are considered voluntary and you cannot recieve RIRP if your on a voluntary status. So any soldier that recieves RIRP and is injuried and needs medical care due do a deployment looses it. They say that you can go home and get the medical care that you need. But if you go home to get the medical care you cannot work at your job and make the money to support your family like before. I talked to the finance office today and all they could tell me is to contact my congressman to bet the bill changed at a federal level. I can understand loosing RIRP if nothing was wrong and I volunteered for something else, but its due to an injury and disease from a combat situation. Not only am I still away from my family, I do see them a weekend a month, but spend the rest of my time in Ft. Bliss. I have contacted Rick Renzi's office but if other people could contact the congressman in their district to help get this law changed it would be great. This is not only for me but for the other soldiers that are in the same situation that I am in. Basically I feel that I served my country and did my duty and now they want to take food away from my children cause I am injuried and need medical attention. If you have any questions about this feel free to call me at 602-791-2306. Lets work together and get this changed.

Chuck

 

[SuperHO]

That's kinda *****....who do I ****?

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

wow... I am honestly at a loss for words. My heart goes out to you. It is a shame that this is how our soldiers are treated after sacrificing so much.

 

[ChuckD]

I just checked my LES and because the MPR orders went in effect in Nov. but they still payed the RIRP in Dec. and Jan. they are taking over $1000 a check out leaving my family only a little over $500 to live off of every 2 weeks. If I would have known this would happen I would have put back my tax money. So much for supporting the troops I guess.

Chuck

 

[shopartsnw]

Chuck,

Thank you for your service . I will do whatever I can to help you out.

Not to invoke politics, but I sent an email and link to John McCain. It is a military thing, you are from AZ, and he is in a position to do something about it.

I don't know if anyone will read or respond to my email, but if enough people can email to get the story across, someone might realize how wrong this is.

Keep us informed.

Mike

 

[rooster]

I also want to thank you for your service.
I will start sending emails to every public official I can get an email address for. Maybe a member of the media can put the screws to some presidential hopefuls and bring some light to your, and probably hundreds of other soldiers, situation.
I hope you get better soon.

 

[SuperHO]

Hang in there, Chuck. We'll get something workin for ya.