Notice to deployed Guardsmen, you owe government $8,000

Clerical error delays pay for guardsmen in Iraq

The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jan 11, 2009 8:55:04 EST

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A clerical error has kept some members of the Minnesota Army National Guard deployed in Iraq from getting paid.

Guard members receive electronic pay stubs twice a month showing how much they earned during the most recent pay period. This month, 140 members of the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade will get stubs that show they owe the Army more than $8,000.

The error is due to a botched attempt to collect back pay from a soldier who didn’t deploy.

The soldiers’ families have received an e-mail saying the proper pay should go through by Jan. 23.

The National Guard says the families will be able to get short term loans to ease financial hardships caused by the mistake.