Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
March 23, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- U.S. troops on peacekeeping missions in Kosovo won't have their "war zone" pay taken away, the Pentagon said Thursday, ending weeks of speculation that officials were considering such a move.
The loss of imminent-danger pay and other benefits would have cost soldiers hundreds of dollars each month.
Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin, a Department of Defense spokesman, said imminent-danger pay and other benefits given to troops are reviewed every year.
Martin confirmed the benefits would not be cut, but would not comment beyond that.
About 1,700 U.S. troops -- active duty, Guard and Reserve from around the country -- are deployed to Kosovo, with most serving as part of the NATO peacekeeping force. Many have made several deployments overseas.
Word that the military might cut pay and benefits had prompted complaints from troops and some members of Congress.
In a letter earlier this month to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, 18 members of Congress pressured him not to reclassify Kosovo as a non-combat mission. Troops there "operate in a region with an unstable government and outbreaks of violent lawlessness," the lawmakers said in the letter.
March 23, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- U.S. troops on peacekeeping missions in Kosovo won't have their "war zone" pay taken away, the Pentagon said Thursday, ending weeks of speculation that officials were considering such a move.
The loss of imminent-danger pay and other benefits would have cost soldiers hundreds of dollars each month.
Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin, a Department of Defense spokesman, said imminent-danger pay and other benefits given to troops are reviewed every year.
Martin confirmed the benefits would not be cut, but would not comment beyond that.
About 1,700 U.S. troops -- active duty, Guard and Reserve from around the country -- are deployed to Kosovo, with most serving as part of the NATO peacekeeping force. Many have made several deployments overseas.
Word that the military might cut pay and benefits had prompted complaints from troops and some members of Congress.
In a letter earlier this month to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, 18 members of Congress pressured him not to reclassify Kosovo as a non-combat mission. Troops there "operate in a region with an unstable government and outbreaks of violent lawlessness," the lawmakers said in the letter.