Iraq war into 6th year, same old story...

[shorebird]

Nice water pipe.

[Geowhizzer]

From last week's "News of the Weird"

In November, Pittsburgh radio station KDKA reported that soldier Jordan Fox had recently been ordered to return $3,000 of his $10,000 enlistment bonus because his blindness and back injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq prevented him from fulfilling the final three months of his one-year Army "commitment." Fox was surprised to learn that the give-back is standard, but U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania has introduced legislation to change that. [KDKA, 11-19-07]

[Sgt PSN]

From last week's "News of the Weird"

In November, Pittsburgh radio station KDKA reported that soldier Jordan Fox had recently been ordered to return $3,000 of his $10,000 enlistment bonus because his blindness and back injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq prevented him from fulfilling the final three months of his one-year Army "commitment." Fox was surprised to learn that the give-back is standard, but U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania has introduced legislation to change that. [KDKA, 11-19-07]

All bonuses are pro-rated eventhough you may recieve them in a lump sum payment.  It's set up like that so if you are unable to fullfill the obligated length of the extension or reenlistment, you still get to keep the portion of that bonus that you earned. 

I'm not sure about the Army but I know that for the Marines, if you are physically unable to fullfill your obligation due to injury then you do not have to pay any of your bonus back.  I would think that the Army and the other branches of the service have the same policy because that just seems like something that would be a DoD policy rather than an individual service thing. 

It doesn't make any sense at all that this kid has to give any of that bonus money back. 

[Diomedes]

Yeah, I too would assume the best of the DoD.

[mussa]

looks like philly. over weight and unemployed shtein bags smokin outside while everyone else is working

[Sgt PSN]

Yeah, I too would assume the best of the DoD.

You almost got me to bite. 

[Phanatic]

935 false statements made about Iraq...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080123/ap_on_go_pr_wh/misinformation_study

[Sgt PSN]

935 lies about Iraq?  Is that it?  I figured there'd be a lot more than that. 

[Drunkmasterflex]

From last week's "News of the Weird"

In November, Pittsburgh radio station KDKA reported that soldier Jordan Fox had recently been ordered to return $3,000 of his $10,000 enlistment bonus because his blindness and back injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq prevented him from fulfilling the final three months of his one-year Army "commitment." Fox was surprised to learn that the give-back is standard, but U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania has introduced legislation to change that. [KDKA, 11-19-07]

All bonuses are pro-rated eventhough you may recieve them in a lump sum payment.  It's set up like that so if you are unable to fullfill the obligated length of the extension or reenlistment, you still get to keep the portion of that bonus that you earned. 

I'm not sure about the Army but I know that for the Marines, if you are physically unable to fullfill your obligation due to injury then you do not have to pay any of your bonus back.  I would think that the Army and the other branches of the service have the same policy because that just seems like something that would be a DoD policy rather than an individual service thing. 

It doesn't make any sense at all that this kid has to give any of that bonus money back. 

There could be more to this story or it could just be a paper work mishap.  Then again the Army is known to screw over soldiers. 

Muss I can assure you it looks nothing like Philly, the worst places there would be the best here.  I don't know about other cities in this country because this is the only one I have been to, but it is unreal.  Of course Mosul is the most unstable area in the country right now so I am sure that has something to do with it. 

[mussa]

i was just comparing the fat guys outside smoking in the middle of the day, i didn't mean philly is anything compared to mosul

[Drunkmasterflex]

Yesterday there was a huge blast here, it killed a bunch of local nationals.  It was so big it took out 8 city blocks, it was also about 2-3 kilometers from where I am at.  It felt like it was only a few hundred meters away. 

[rjs246]

8 city blocks?! Jesus christ.

[MDS]

Jesus farging Christ dude, that's nuts.. Stay the hell safe.

[SD_Eagle5]

Yesterday there was a huge blast here, it killed a bunch of local nationals.  It was so big it took out 8 city blocks, it was also about 2-3 kilometers from where I am at.  It felt like it was only a few hundred meters away. 

Could you take some pictures

[ice grillin you]

8 city blocks?! Jesus christ.

please

cloverfield destroyed all of manhatten