Army "promises" change in the way National Guards-Reservists are treated

Wyden: Army Vows to Improve Guard Treatment
Changes Outlined Involving irag, Afghanistan Returnees

From KTVZ.COM News Sources

WASHINGTON -- Responding to concerns raised over the past year, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.),said Wednesday the Army has announced changes aimed at improving the treatment of National Guard and Reserve troops returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The changes announced in documents provided to Wyden’s office include ensuring each soldier receives proper medical care, improving communication about entitlements and benefits and greater access to medical care following demobilization.

The changes also include keeping Guard and Reserve leaders with their units at demobilization stations until each soldier receives the care and resources they have earned
“For more than a year now, we have been concerned that the Army was treating National Guard and Reserve troops differently by sending them home too quickly following demobilization and not informing them or providing them with the medical care they needed and deserved following a combat deployment,” Wyden said.

“The Department of Defense has acknowledged that the treatment of these troops was not what it should be. Now the military has taken steps to improve the situation. They deserve a great deal of credit for recognizing these problems and taking steps to fix them.”

"Our National Guard and Reserve men and women have served this nation honorably and with distinction," said Schrader. "They deserve, and are frankly entitled to, the same consideration during and after demobilization as Active Component service members. Being provided misinformation two hundred miles from the nearest Military Treatment Facility is not acceptable."

Under the new policies, the demobilization process for Guard and Reserve soldiers will be extended to up to 14 days rather than the previous five- to seven-day limit. This change addresses complaints that troops were being rushed off active duty too quickly and before their medical issues were properly identified and resolved. Another change includes making it easier to admit Guard and Reserve troops into the Warrior Transition Unit for medical treatment.
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Army Vows to Improve Guard Treatment