Debt holds U.S. troops back from overseas duty

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15337932/

Thousands of U.S. troops are being barred from overseas duty because they are so deep in debt they are considered security risks, according to an Associated Press review of military records.

The number of troops held back has climbed dramatically in the past few years. And while they appear to represent a very small percentage of all U.S. military personnel, the increase is occurring at a time when the armed forces are stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We are seeing an alarming trend in degrading financial health,” said Navy Capt. Mark D. Patton, commanding officer at San Diego’s Naval Base Point Loma.

The Pentagon contends financial problems can distract personnel from their duties or make them vulnerable to bribery and treason. As a result, those who fall heavily into debt can be stripped of the security clearances they need to go overseas.

While the number of revoked clearances has surged since the beginning of the Iraq war, military officials say there is no evidence that service members are deliberately running up debts to stay out of harm’s way.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. The cabal and their corporate buddies are double screwing over our troops.

:mad: MKJ

BTW: K & R from a veteran who's dealt with debt sharks. MKJ

[Erika]

3. Yep. Very few of the rich are "volunteering" for the service

The lower and middle income volunteer in hopes for getting $ for education. How blanking inequal and sad.

[saigon68]

10. They have "OTHER PRIORITIES"

[JoFerret]

13. e.g Jessica Lynch who joined up because

she wanted to be a KINDERGARTEN teacher! Very very screwed up and sad.

[Erika]

2. Our country is seeing a declining economic picture of the

middle and lower income. The groups most likely to volunteer for military service.

[SoCalDem]

4. They ARE deliberately running up debt

to pay college tuition, mortgage payments, doctor bills, car payments :(

[judaspriestess]

5. sure while 12 billion dollars CASH sent to Iraq

goes un accounted for.

[MADem]

6. Overseas screening. Debt is just one thing. Health, family issues can

also cause problems--if you have a spouse with a huge criminal record, you aren't getting that great tour in Asia or Europe.

They need to put those payday lenders off limits, for starters, pump up the finance classes in boot camp (clearly, it isn't sinking in), and refresh the topic in base orientation.

They also need to brief it when people process out of the sandbox.

Of course, you know how they'll handle this: put the debtors in jobs that don't require much of a clearance, and those are usually the jobs where you can get shot. So, for those who want to stay in the rear with the gear, behind the wire with the air conditioning blasting, they'd best pay their bills on time!

[OneBlueSky]

7. a LOT of military families simply can't make ends meet . . .

on their salaries and (sometimes) benefits and are literally forced into debt to survive . . . this has been an ongoing problem for a long time, and it's been compounded by the war . . .

when you think of all the money that's being pissed away on "rebuilding" contracts in Iraq, and how civilian contractors doing jobs formerly done by military personnal are being paid WAY more than the troops -- well, it just makes me ill . . .

BushCo not only doesn't value veterans -- they don't value our own troops, either . . .

(see Military Commissions Act of 2006 as evidence . . . approving torture for "enemy combatants" will inevitably blow back onto American troops -- and BushCo knows it) . . .

[Heidi]

8. Kick.

:kick:

[freeplessinseattle]

9. sure, that's logical

since lawmakers who were vulnerable to bribery and treason have to live off their piddly 6 figure wage.

[saigon68]

11. You only have to Look At "DUKE" Cunningham ass clown extraordinaire

[JoFerret]

12. Wow - does it beat going to Canada or claiming you are gay?

Actually - an apalling reflection of mistreatment of troops.

[Billy Burnett]

14. But the top 2% are creating millions and millions of high paying jobs.

:eyes:

Move along. Nothing to see here.

[MonteSano]

15. k&r