INTERVENTION

Defense Secretary Halts Guardsmens’ Bonus Repayments

Investigating disputed California National Guard payouts.

Weeks after a controversial Pentagon decision to demand repayment, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has ordered a halt to collections of what many have been erroneous enlistment bonuses to California National Guard members who served overseas. Investigators are still trying to determine, Carter said, if any personnel “received incentive bonuses and tuition assistance improperly as a result of errors and in some cases criminal behavior by members of the California National Guard.” He added, “While some soldiers knew or should have known they were ineligible for benefits they were claiming, many others did not.” Members of Congress have demanded Carter quit demanding money from Guard members who were asked to repay the bonuses. Carter asked that the collection of the reimbursements halt “as soon as is practical” and that a new process be established to help make sure veterans are treated “fairly.”