The CA Army National Guard offered bonuses to soldiers who had specifically needed job skills, and were willing to sign up for 3-or 6 -year enlistments from 2006 to 2010. After 17,000 soldiers signed the contracts, and in most cases completed the 6-year enlistments, many of which included combat tours, the National Guard sent letters to the soldiers stating they have to pay back the bonuses. The Army NG admittedly lacked manpower and oversight of their program and personnel in charge of the program.
Those soldiers are being required to repay their bonuses, despite fulfilling the obligations of the contracts they signed in good faith. This has caused undue hardships to soldiers who paid their contracts in blood, sweat, and tears. Please do the right thing and forgive their debts,