Press Releases

(Photo courtesy of National Guard via flickr)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today welcomed news that U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has ordered the Pentagon to stop seeking repayment of enlistment bonuses given to National Guardsmen in California. 

“Frankly, whether or not they received these bonuses in error, these men and women bravely served their country and don’t deserve to be nickel-and-dimed. As our state is so proud of its own National Guard members, I think everyone in Maine could see that this was really an egregious situation,” said Pingree.   “I’m glad that Defense Secretary Carter has decided to offer relief to the affected Guardsmen, and I will continue working my colleagues to make sure the department follows through.” 

Pingree had been working with her colleagues to push the Pentagon to change course over the payments.  Her office has also been in contact with the Maine National Guard and received assurance that no Maine veterans have found themselves in a similar situation to the Guardsmen in California.