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Hurt soldier billed for gear to be repaid Lieutenant shelled out $650 to gain discharge after injury in Iraq From Larry Shaughnessy CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former Army soldier will be reimbursed after he was required to pay for his equipment when he was wounded in Iraq, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
First Lt. William "Eddie" Rebrook was discharged for medical reasons last week after being injured in Iraq, and the Army said Wednesday he paid about $650 for 18 items that he was issued before going to Iraq.
"Whether procedures weren't followed or the system failed him is currently under investigation," said a written statement issued by a spokesman at Fort Hood in Texas. "What is clear is that this command is going to do the right thing by Lieutenant Rebrook, who is one of our nation's proud veterans."
The statement also said, "There is no question that [Rebrook] should not have to pay for the body armor of his that was destroyed in Iraq."
But that development came after the matter garnered national attention Tuesday when a West Virginia newspaper reported Rebrook's story.
The newspaper account prompted Sen. Robert Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat, to question top military leaders, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
"How can it be that the Army is charging wounded soldiers for replacing damaged body armor?" he asked.
Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the top Army officer, promised to look into the matter.
"We certainly have procedures that account for matter loss, and I just find it a highly unusual story," he said.
The Charleston Gazette reported that Rebrook paid the Army for his outer tactical vest, which the newspaper called "body armor." Rebrook told the newspaper he didn't know what happened to the bloody vest because it had been removed when he was wounded.
On Wednesday, the Army said Rebrook would not have been asked to pay the money if he had filled out two required forms.
Those comments drew an angry rebuke from Rebrook's father, Edward Rebrook of Charleston, West Virginia.
"That is a lie," the soldier's father told CNN. "It's a case of CYA by the Army."
William Rebrook was told the 18 items were missing and that he could pay for them or fill out two forms saying that the equipment had been lost, damaged or destroyed in combat.
However, Edward Rebrook said his son would have had to stay in the Army, continue to live on base at Fort Hood and wait possibly weeks while those forms were processed. Instead, he chose to pay cash for the missing items and get out of the Army.
The Gazette on Wednesday quoted the soldier as dismissing the story as a "bureaucratic snafu."
"I love the Army," he told the paper. "I love my soldiers. I loved being in it."
Hours after the initial story was published, a number of people donated nearly $700 to Rebrook to pay for the gear. Rebrook's father said that money has been donated to a family whose home was lost during Hurricane Katrina.
Meanwhile, the Web site Americablog ran the story and claimed to have raised nearly $6,000 for the soldier. The father said the family members had not received any money from Americablog, but that if they get it, they will donate it to a soldier's support group.
A Pentagon source said the reimbursement check should be sent to Rebrook "in a matter of days."
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
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It's not the first time that's happened, but it is very rare. I am guessing a supply sargent screwed up and submitted the wrong paperwork. When someone gets hurt and has to redeploy, it is up to their command or roomate to gather up all of their gear and ship it home. It can be a total cluster phock. What happened to that Lt. is rare, and I'll guess, an honest mistake. It would astonish most to know what kind of a paperwork nightmare it is to deploy then come home. I honestly felt bad for our supply guys over there, what a nightmare. What really sucks is what happened to a buddy of mine. He had his assault pack strapped to the outside of his humvee (which is how we did it) and an IED was detonated as he rolled by. No one was hurt but his wallet with his atm and credit cards got shredded. We got to Kuwait and he had no way to get money or buy anything.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.
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It is good to see the army has not changed. Hurry up and wait. You have to account for the boots and buckle, but they do not worry much about the tanks and jeeps. Tradition does carry on.
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This country is so divided any more half of it is looking to over look the laws that are being broke and making excuses for criminal acts I think that it is time that we do divide the nation I would have to leave my beloved AZ but it would be worth it to me. The Bush people say we should, they say it on many ocassions. I am talking on talk shows and such. We would have such a better life without these unproductive ball and chains that these people are and they could learn what it is like to support themselves and all there problems. They could learn what it is like to fight the wars that they start and support from the bar that they drink at. And of course they would not have to worry about social security there life span is shorter because of there over all crummy life. They don't believe in education so they won't have that expense either. And they can have a field day at the Border with Mexico since they don't generate enough revenue to pay anybody to patrol it. They could use all volunteers that never finished high school. They won't be working to much. All in all it is something the blue states should really think of. Oh yes you can keep your hero good old George W. he comes with the whole group. Brownie Boy,scooter,condi ,and Rummy. Plus others to stupid to mention.
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quote:Originally posted by HILANDER: It's not the first time that's happened, but it is very rare. I am guessing a supply sargent screwed up and submitted the wrong paperwork. When someone gets hurt and has to redeploy, it is up to their command or roomate to gather up all of their gear and ship it home. It can be a total cluster phock. What happened to that Lt. is rare, and I'll guess, an honest mistake. It would astonish most to know what kind of a paperwork nightmare it is to deploy then come home. I honestly felt bad for our supply guys over there, what a nightmare. What really sucks is what happened to a buddy of mine. He had his assault pack strapped to the outside of his humvee (which is how we did it) and an IED was detonated as he rolled by. No one was hurt but his wallet with his atm and credit cards got shredded. We got to Kuwait and he had no way to get money or buy anything.
FWIW, I read in my local paper the body armour was destroyed as a bio-hazard because it was covered with blood. The person who destroyed it forgot to fill out the proper paperwork and someone higher up refused to sign a waiver so the poor guy had to pay up.
-------------------- One is never completely useless. One can always serve as a bad example.
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"Things went smoothly until officers asked him for his “OTV,” his “outer tactical vest,” or body armor, which was missing. A battalion supply officer had failed to document the loss of the vest in Iraq."
...
"Rebrook said he tried to get a battalion commander to sign a waiver on the battle armor, but the officer declined. Rebrook was told he’d have to supply statements from witnesses to verify the body armor was taken from him and burned."
-------------------- One is never completely useless. One can always serve as a bad example.
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typical military SNAFU... anybody who was in wouldn't be surprised that it happens and would also know that it would eventually be fixed IF people just fill out the proper paperwork.... lotsa paperwork....
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
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You are damn right. 19D Cavalry Scout (Recon) here and I am in no way surprised.
Who know, maybe his arms were blown off and he couldn't fill out paperwork.
So many if, ands, or buts.
Quit developing damn missiles that won't be used and buy us some damn real armor. Support us on the ground over there and quit spending the damn tax money on "weapons of the future".
-------------------- I buy fast and sell faster!
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money 19d.....Right on, I'm transitioning from 19K to 19D this month. Then in June going to OCS and off to Armor Officer School. After 16 years, gonna trade in my stripes and rocker for a bar. You know what's funny. When I got back home to Ft Lewis and was refradding they told me that I couldn't clear until I turned in my complete IBA. So I did. While I was turning it in, they asked me where my SAPI PLates were. They are still in Iraq I said. They let me clear but thought it was crazy that my chain of command made me turn them in BEFORE I flew from Victory to Anaconda. I made the trip with no weapons and no armor. 30 or so minute helicopter flight. The only thing that made it better was the fact that we took fire about 5 minutes outside of victory. It sucked, here I am in my ACH and body armor with no plates and watching tracers blaze by the blackhawk I'm in.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.
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