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Letters

GI BILL TRANSFER TROUBLES

I joined the Army in October 1991 and I’ve been looking forward to the transferability of GI Bill benefits for almost 15 years now. I decided to stay in the Army after my first enlistment for job security, military pride and hoping that one day I could transfer my benefits to my wife or kids.

That time is almost here, and now I’m also looking forward to retirement two and a half years from now — October 2011.

Well not anymore, I guess. These transferability rules are a slap in the face and the Defense Department’s way of saying, “Take it or leave it, pal.” While it is great that we get to transfer the GI Bill, now I’ll have to serve three years from transfer date (August 2009) and that will change my retirement date to August 2012, from what I understand about the new rules.

The new rule says that if the retirement date is after Aug. 1, 2011, and before Aug. 1, 2012, qualified individuals will have to serve three years of additional service after approval of transfer — the earliest date of approval being Aug. 1, 2009. So that puts me at almost 21 years of active federal service.

But I’ll do that for my family, even though they’ve been looking forward to my 20 years for retirement. And we all know that for Uncle Sam that is an additional deployment.

Well, the soldier that’s only been in for six years can request transferability of benefits and serve his additional four years and do a proud 10 years and is clear of his debt to Uncle Sam. Where’s the rationale, though?

Isn’t 20 years enough sacrifice?

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Angel Cruz

Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

A SALUTE FOR SERVICE

While at the post office, I heard a voice boom out, “Good morning!” I turned around and saw an elderly man sitting in the passenger seat of a pickup truck. He was holding his right hand in a perfect parade ground salute. He was wearing a World War II veteran ball cap and looking right at me.

I was wearing my “Army Strong” ball cap with my Army retiree pin. It dawned on me that this elderly vet was saluting me! Luckily, my instincts kicked in and I returned his salute.

As I drove home, I reflected on this event. When this elderly vet saw me exit the post office, he made an immediate decision to salute another veteran.

He did not know — or care — about my rank, MOS, location or dates of service. All he knew and cared about, from seeing my hat and pin, was that I am a fellow military veteran.

Congress recently passed legislation allowing veterans to salute the American flag. (Many of us have done this anyway without this new law.) This World War II veteran decided to render the salute honor to me in order to honor all other veterans. Yes, it is an honor to receive a salute from a fellow veteran. It is just as much an honor to return the salute. Let’s all continue to honor our country’s military veterans — every day.

Lt. Col. Bob Thompson (ret.)

Baton Rouge, La.

N. KOREA a PERSISTENT THREAT

I had to laugh reading “North Korea wakeup call” [Forums, May 4]. Online poster “BRUWIN” left Korea in 2003 and wonders when someone will make some tough decisions, before it’s too late.

I was with the 7th Military Police Company back in 1967-69 at Camp Casey in Dongducheon, South Korea. We had one of our ships taken by the North Koreans. Raiding parties would come across into South Korea.

I don’t think there was a soldier in Korea at that time who was not wondering the same thing. No American president or anyone else has made any tough decisions to stop the North Koreans yet, so why would they now?

Former Sgt. Steve Reilly

Fort Salonga, N.Y.

WELCOME DISABLED AT PX

In response to a letter by retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick L. Clark [“Limit PX access,” May 11], to advocate not giving commissary and post exchange privileges to disabled veterans is the most insensitive thing I’ve heard in a long time.

Former Sgt. Ronald Torngren

Mililani, Hawaii

LETTING DOCTORS GO

In 2004, I went to the Air Force Academy for surgery. I had a fracture to the right ankle and required a plate and seven screws. The surgeon was the Chief of Orthopedics at the academy. What was interesting then, and more so now, is that he had just been promoted to colonel. He had received notice that he could apply for retirement, so he did (soon after getting promoted). He didn’t believe his request would be accepted, but it was and he was out soon after.

Now this was mid-2004 and we were into major fighting in Iraq, yet a newly promoted full colonel was allowed to retire without having served his mandatory time following promotion.

In 2006, a friend of mine, a doctor, left the Army soon after being promoted. Again, he submitted his paperwork with the expectation it would be rejected and it was approved. Again, he retired within 12 months of his promotion.

While at the academy for a checkup in 2008, I was surprised that the doctor who saw me was fairly young — in his 40s. He had a “volunteer” nameplate with his Air Force rank. I asked if he was really a volunteer and he said yes.

So I asked him if he had retired and the answer was yes. He was offered the chance, so he took it. Afterward, he decided to continue to practice and was volunteering at the academy.

If the services are so short of doctors, why have they let so many go prior to the completion of their obligations? I don’t know what the answer is, but letting doctors go and then complaining of shortages seems, I don’t know, like poor planning on someone’s part.

Maj. (Dr.) Nicholas Shaw (ret.)

Elbert, Colo.

LACKLUSTER LOOPS ON ACU

I realize many concerns have been brought to the attention of Army Times in the past regarding the Army Combat Uniform.

My concern with the uniform is that in mid-2006, I purchased four sets of the ACU and properly maintained them according to the washing/drying guidance. However, the loop supports, particularly on the sleeves, the wrist and shirt chest pockets, became weak and no longer supported the hooks/patches. This occurred in little more than a year.

So, in early 2008, I purchased four new sets of the ACU, hoping that problem areas had been resolved and improvements on the uniform would permit the loops to last longer. I’m in the same situation again, with the loops no longer supporting the hooks.

At times, small items within my shirt pockets arbitrarily fall to the floor due to the lack of support with regards to the loops. My wrist bands, once again, are no longer held by the loop supports, either. However, to remedy this situation, I wear matching camouflage watchband covers.

Consideration was given to the idea of having a local sewing shop replace the loops, but I was told not all loops could be replaced, and of those that could it would cost more than to purchase a new ACU.

I don’t totally understand the theory behind using Velcro vice buttons when so many problems exist with the hook and loop, but the idea of purchasing new uniforms again seems ludicrous, especially when all other aspects of the uniform are serviceable and/or in very good condition.

I recommend the Army revert back to using sewn-on patches for the sleeves and buttons for the wristbands, shirt chest pockets and any other commonly known areas of weakness, whereby buttons would be more beneficial.

Maj. Debbie Lipscomb

Fort Knox, Ky.