Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
El Paso Times
February 24, 2009
By Chris Roberts, El Paso Times
FORT BLISS -- Fort Bliss officials Monday continued to defend an Army relief program they say has helped thousands of soldiers, after an Associated Press story originating from the post criticized the national program for holding back too much money and making unfair demands on enlisted soldiers with limited resources.
"We've helped all those who came through our doors that had a valid emergency need," Janice Gamel, the Fort Bliss Army Emergency Relief officer, said during a late-morning news conference.
The AP story states that watchdogs believe charities should hold back one to three years of reserves while Army Emergency Relief, or AER, holds about 12 years' worth -- about $117 million was put into AER reserves between 2003 and 2007, the story said -- which is considered hoarding.
National AER officials quoted in the story said they needed sizeable reserves so they will be ready for future catastrophes.
In 2008, as reported in a Monday El Paso Times story, the Fort Bliss office collected about $140,000 locally and gave out about $2.9 million in loans and grants. Gamel said AER collected about $150,000 locally in 2007 and gave out about $1.9 million.
The story also criticized "pushy" tactics used by higher-ranking soldiers to secure donations from soldiers in their units, and the granting of favors to those who contribute.
But Fort Bliss garrison commander Col. Edward Manning said coercive tactics are prohibited by policy and that there have been no complaints from enlisted soldiers about pushy tactics and no officers disciplined for violating policies in the 18 months he has been at the post.
"I can tell you that AER works," Manning said. "It's a prime example of the Army taking care of its own."
February 24, 2009
By Chris Roberts, El Paso Times
FORT BLISS -- Fort Bliss officials Monday continued to defend an Army relief program they say has helped thousands of soldiers, after an Associated Press story originating from the post criticized the national program for holding back too much money and making unfair demands on enlisted soldiers with limited resources.
"We've helped all those who came through our doors that had a valid emergency need," Janice Gamel, the Fort Bliss Army Emergency Relief officer, said during a late-morning news conference.
The AP story states that watchdogs believe charities should hold back one to three years of reserves while Army Emergency Relief, or AER, holds about 12 years' worth -- about $117 million was put into AER reserves between 2003 and 2007, the story said -- which is considered hoarding.
National AER officials quoted in the story said they needed sizeable reserves so they will be ready for future catastrophes.
In 2008, as reported in a Monday El Paso Times story, the Fort Bliss office collected about $140,000 locally and gave out about $2.9 million in loans and grants. Gamel said AER collected about $150,000 locally in 2007 and gave out about $1.9 million.
The story also criticized "pushy" tactics used by higher-ranking soldiers to secure donations from soldiers in their units, and the granting of favors to those who contribute.
But Fort Bliss garrison commander Col. Edward Manning said coercive tactics are prohibited by policy and that there have been no complaints from enlisted soldiers about pushy tactics and no officers disciplined for violating policies in the 18 months he has been at the post.
"I can tell you that AER works," Manning said. "It's a prime example of the Army taking care of its own."