Readers of Tom Philpott's Military Update column sound off

Why Withhold Va Disability Pay Until Severance Recouped?

I was involuntarily separated from the Navy in February 2007 for physical fitness failures after almost 15 years of service. I filed a compensation claim for service-connected disability with the Department of Veterans Affairs. That's when I learned that, because I received severance pay, VA disability compensation would be withheld until, in effect, my severance pay was recouped. So basically, VA is withholding $16,300 in disability compensation from me and my family.

I have written to members of Congress and to Navy leaders about this. No one seems to care. They say, "Well, that's just [the ban on] concurrent receipt" of severance pay and VA disability compensation

Service members aren't provided this information before leaving service. The Navy would like them to think that receiving severance pay is a good deal. It really isn't. Certainly it isn't a good deal when the money runs out and no employer wants to hire you.

I recommend that Congress lift this ban on concurrent receipt of severance pay and VA disability compensation. Why should it remain? Severance is provided so that members leaving service have financial help in readjusting to civilian life.

Withholding disability compensation until severance pay is recouped just hurts veterans.

RICHARD G. PRATHER
Red Lion, Pa.
Via e-mail

BAH WITHOUT DEPENDENTS

There is no justification for raising Basic Allowance for Housing for single members until their BAH almost mirrors the level paid to members who have dependents.

When I was single and collecting BAH it was very adequate. If anything I am struggling now that I am married with dependents. I feel my "with dependents" BAH is not high enough now to cover both rent and utilities.

So I have lived in both situations as a soldier. Raising single BAH would be a very big mistake. They should review this decision before this comes into effect.

TRAVIS D. GIDEON
Belcamp, Md.

MULLEN'S ALLOWANCE

Your article on Defense Secretary Robert Gate's on-base rental costs was good but not quite accurate regarding housing allowances Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, forfeits to reside in government housing in Washington D.C.

The Basic Allowance for Housing rate you published, $2409 a month, is the "without dependents" rate for ranks O-7 and higher. Admiral Mullen's allowance would the "with dependents" rate which is $2800.

This is still a deal for Washington D.C. To rent off base, an admiral or general would have to live in a barn for less than $4000 a month.

JERRY FOREMAN
USMC-Ret.
Dumfries, Va.

BUSH AND GI BILL

Wow! After nearly eight years and two wars we read that "Bush Supports Increased GI Bill Benefits."

The headline should read, "Bush Finally Supports Increased GI Bill Benefits After Fighting Every Democratic Increase Offered for Nearly Eight Years and Only Takes This Action on a Republican Counter Proposal That He Knows Will End Both Proposals in Failure."

That's a little long for a headline but more accurate.

And is it because George wants to see his boy John "McClone" elected?

As a former member of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, it's pretty clear to me that this far too little, far too late. It only helps the Bushie lock-steppers stay stuck in stupid.

DAVID S. J. GUILMETTE
Via e-mail

RETIREE PAY ADJUSTMENT

In regards to your recent column on retired pay differences between older and newer year groups rising because recent active duty pay raises have been larger than retiree COLA adjustments, I agree that something should be done.

In the past decade, we have seen special adjustments in pay for active military members. I strongly feel the same should take place for the retired military members: a five percent across-the-board retiree raise for E-6s and below; a three percent increase for E-7 through E-9, and O-4 and below; and two percent raise for O-5 and above.

This would be equitable with the current economy, and help the military retirees.

THOMAS P. POLESNAK
Technical Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Via e-mail

I retired in 1993 as an E-8 with 21-and-a half years of service. From then until now, what a difference in purchasing power. I don't even notice the COLA increases. The price of everything seems to have doubled and tripled. My lifestyle has definitely been lowered.

Although I have two retirements -- military and Federal Civil Service -- what used to be a comfortable lifestyle is gone. We are just able to meet our monthly bills. The cost of gasoline has tripled and the COLAs I received are hardly noticeable.

PAT RIZZO
USAF-Ret.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA 20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com.

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