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Rep. Courtney Announces Retroactive ‘Stop Loss’ Payments for Veterans, Troops Troops Subjected to Involuntary Service Extension Now Eligible for $500 Payment per Month WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney was joined today by Connecticut Attorney General Blumenthal, former Sergeant in the Marine Reserves, and Major General Thaddeus Martin, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, as he announced that the federal government, through an act of Congress, has begun providing retroactive payments to troops subjected to extended military service in Iraq and Afghanistan through the policy of “Stop Loss.” Since 2001, 422 members of the Connecticut National Guard have been subjected to “Stop Loss.” Of that total, 177 are stilling serving today. “The commitment that our veterans, active duty troops, and their families have made must be matched by our assurance that they will be treated honorably and fairly for the unexpected disruption to their lives caused by Stop Loss,” stated Courtney. “Those who were stop-lossed went far above and beyond their contracted obligation and we owe them more than just a ‘thank you’. This is one way to give our veterans and troops something tangible and real that may help relieve the burden to their lives and the lives of their loved ones. My office is prepared to help each qualified veteran and active duty troop apply for and receive their retroactive payment.” “At a time of rhetoric and speechmaking, this stop loss reform provides real action to back our words. We owe so much to our military men and women -- and this step is a long overdue measure they deserve. All who were stop- lossed -- compelled to stay beyond their enlistments or retirements -- should apply for this compensation. Extra pay -- $500 for each month of stop loss -- is the least we can do for these servicewomen and men who did extra service going above and beyond,” stated Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. “All who serve in our military make sacrifices, but stop-lossed service members paid a higher price. While it cannot fully compensate for the sacrifices and consequences caused by stop loss, this step is a heartfelt show of appreciation for uncommon service. My office has been contacted by many who were stop-lossed and who now rightfully receive benefits that reflect their service. I am grateful to Rep. Courtney for his leadership.” Stop Loss was the involuntary extension of a service member’s active duty service under the enlistment contract in order to retain them beyond their initial end of term of service (ETS) date. For nearly 185,000 members of our military, this policy extended their already difficult tours of duty, placing extreme strain on them and their families. In March 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the phase-out of the Stop Loss program. The Army’s active component program is to end on January 1, 2010, while the Army Reserve and Army National Guard programs ended in August and September 2009, respectively. Congressman Courtney has strongly supported the creation of the Stop Loss payment program in order to address the unfair burden this policy placed on our men and women in uniform. In 2008, Courtney cosponsored legislation to create a Stop Loss compensation program, H.R. 6205. In September 2008, the Connecticut lawmaker voted to provide $72 million in compensation to service members extended through Stop Loss. The legislation provides $500 a month to service members for every month their deployment was extended in 2009. Earlier this year, Congressman Courtney voted to expand the program by providing $734 million to compensate service members who were extended through Stop Loss since September 11, 2001. Service members, including members of the Reserve components, former and retired members are eligible for the retroactive Stop Loss pay. All pay claims must be submitted before October 21, 2010. Family members of deceased service members who had their military service extended through Stop Loss should contact the appropriate military service for assistance, or contact Representative Courtney’s Norwich office (860) 886-0139 for assistance. Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil Navy: http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=49196 Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss

• Category

  News & Politics

• Release Date

  Nov 12, 2009

• Runtime

  11:39