BEND, Ore. (AP) — The number of Oregon members of the National Guard who were denied enlistment bonus money this year is three times what the Guard reported a few months ago.
The Guard has been under congressional criticism because it has denied or clawed back bonuses, some up to $20,000.
It says bonuses were improperly granted during a troop buildup. But in most cases it has paid out the money because the soldiers signed up in good faith and fulfilled their obligations.
The Bulletin in Bend (http://bit.ly/tQ1589 ) reports the new numbers — 61 cases of bonus denials in Oregon this year. The Guard says it eventually paid 51.
