First, I will admit that I know almost nothing about the National Guard, or the way it conducts business. I will also say that the article is very vague (in fact, one-sided) about the investigation that led up to this Soldier being charged for the equipment.
If this article is true on its face value, then there has been a command failure of Biblical proportions. For example, let’s say Snuffy got shot and was immediately medivac’d out of country. It becomes the unit’s responsibility to inventory his belongings and account for equipment that is there and ascertain what is missing. Missing equipment is accounted for on a document/process called “Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss” or FLIPL for short. Obviously, equipment that is damaged in combat is written off on a short FLIPL by the BN or BDE commander based on recommendations given by the subordinate chain of command. Equipment lost during medical treatment should also be covered in this short FLIPL, although it is my understanding the medical folks are pretty good at collecting personal effects/equipment and accounting for them.
That leaves us with the equipment that was neither damaged in the event, nor lost by medical personnel, like stuff that Snuffy was signed for that should have been in his locker back in his hooch. Canteens were mentioned. Depending on SOP, Snuffy was probably wearing a Camelback and his canteens might have been left back in his hooch. Let’s say his ruck, three uniforms, and sleep system was missing. Well, where is it?
The point is that the investigation should have determined these facts. Maybe Snuffy kept poor accountability of his stuff prior to getting shot. Maybe a couple of Blue Falcons went in and ganked his stuff. Who knows?
I do know that it is inherently hard to charge Soldiers for missing equipment. I have seen AWOL Soldiers take off and not pay a dime for thousands of dollars of missing equipment. The system just works better for them than Uncle Sugar most times. The fact that the Army has successfully charged this Soldier actually says a lot about their case.
HOWEVER, I do have concerns about the accuracy of the article, particularly when it says the “bill” included interest. I have never seen the Army collect interest on anything. For example, Army regulations require that the value of equipment be depreciated when totaling any type financial liability for a Soldier. It seems counterintuitive to throw interest in the mix. In another example, Soldiers can get up to one full month of advance pay, and pay it back interest free over a reasonable time period of their choosing. Not the same thing, I know, but it establishes a type of precedent. I would be very interested to hear of anyone being charged interest by the Army for anything.
May God Bless this Soldier for his service and sacrifice, and while this may not be popular with many here, I’m not sure getting shot should exonerate this Soldier of poorly managing his equipment prior to the incident.
There’s always eight sides to every story, and first reports are always wrong. There’s simply too many unknowns about this situation to really be able to form hard opinions.
I do wish this Soldier a speedy recovery and well in his future endeavors.