Ruppersberger proposes paying for R&R travel
The military would cover travel expenses for about 440 Maryland National Guard soldiers stationed in Egypt when they return home on leave under a proposal Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger plans to unveil Wednesday.
Under current law, Egypt is not included in the military’s leave program that pays for R&R travel expenses because it is not a combat zone. That means service members pay their own way home, the Baltimore County Democrat said.
National Guard troops have been on the Sinai Peninsula since 2002. The Maryland soldiers deployed in March as part of a peacekeeping missing.
“For their families, it’s hard to keep the home fires burning – there are empty seats at the dinner table, missed mortgage payments and unopened birthday gifts,” Ruppersberger said in a statement. “We must work harder to provide these families with the resources they need to survive their tours of duty here at home and overseas.”
Ruppersberger will attempt to tack the proposal onto Defense Authorization Act moving through Congress.
Ruppersberger, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, has previously focused on travel expenses for soldiers. In 2003, he developed a program that let frequent fliers donate airline miles to help service members pay for flights home while on leave. The government picked up only part of the cost.
Comments
Sounds like something positive that Congress can do for those that serve. I can't imagine anyone having a problem with this proposal. Good job, Dutch and Godspeed to the MDNG troops that are deployed and serving.
Posted by: Jeff | May 17, 2011 7:49 PM
I attended the meeting this morning and I just want to say that I commend Mr. Ruppersberger for his efforts in trying to get this ammendment praised. There are so many men and women who dedicate their time and sacrifice their personal lives to go anywhere they are ordered in order to keep everyday people like us safe and free of harm. These men and women should not have to pay to come back home to be with their families, as well as the families should not have to miss out on the oppertunity to see their loved one due to a financial situation. The soldiers may be away and may be the ones serving for our country directly but if it weren't for the men and women left behind at home taking care of the house and bills and every day essentials needed to survive then my friend there wouldn't be any soldiers well off enough to complete these missions. These men and women did not ask to be seperated from their daily lives they were ordered and they are doing there jobs and missing out on so much back home. With knowing this we should do the best job we can to bring them back and unite them with their families for a week, I do believe the wives and children deserve that much.
Posted by: Ashley Meadows | May 18, 2011 3:17 PM
You know I'm A SPC on the Active duty side of the Army. I believe that no matter what, The government should pay for R&R for the 440 maryland soldiers that had to leave their families behind for the next 13 months to go keep the peace in Egypt. You take these soldiers away from their loved ones and send them away, because a country cannot defend its self thats not their fault, I'm just sayin.-
Posted by: Steven Krech | July 13, 2011 9:54 AM
You know I'm A SPC on the Active duty side of the Army. I believe that no matter what, The government should pay for R&R for the 440 maryland soldiers that had to leave their families behind for the next 13 months to go keep the peace in Egypt. You take these soldiers away from their loved ones and send them away, because a country cannot defend its self thats not their fault, I'm just sayin.-
Posted by: Steven Krech | July 13, 2011 9:55 AM