(Army Times) Editorial: Show troops the money

[unhappycamper]

Show troops the money

hundreds of extra dollars a month might come in pretty handy right now. And if you’re among the active-duty soldiers who qualify for up to $500 a month because you are stop-lossed, you might be wondering where your payment is.

Especially since the commander in chief two months ago authorized special pay for troops who under stop-loss policy are banned from retiring or leaving at the end of their obligated service.Unfortunately, the fact that President George W. Bush signed off on the special pay doesn’t mean it’s money in the bank.

The hang-up is with Army officials, who have yet to recommend payment amounts. That leaves some 12,200 soldiers who qualify for the payments in limbo as the clock runs down on the program, which is authorized only through September.

And, for now, payments are not retroactive.

Army officials may be getting close to recommending payment amounts and when to begin them, but those decisions then will have to be cleared by House and Senate Appropriations committees. How long will that take? Just 10 months remain in the federal fiscal year.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_editorial_stoploss_120808/%2e