Last year the subject of Stop Loss and making payments to soldiers that were affected by the different United States Defense policies dealing with stop loss were discussed. At that time, Defense Secretary Gates said he was interested in helping establish a method to pay a monthly allowance or stipend to soldiers.
The need for Stop Loss have decreased for some extent, as more people in the Army and National Guard are re enlisting at the end of their terms of enlistment. The Army and the United States military is currently one of the best jobs around, with the quality of the training, education and benefits available.
Many people who have faced layoffs in civilian life are looking at the military in a new light, as a means to provide for their familes.
Well the plan had gotten lost in the shuffle with the new Administration, but is now being looked at again by Defense Secretary Gates. He has a personal interest to insure the payments of up to $500 dollars make it to soldiers that have been affected, up to 13,000 eligible soldiers.
Army leaders met with Secretary Gates to try and work out the final details for the plan that could apply to about 4,430 National Guardsmen, 7,300 active Duty soldiers and as many as 1,452 Army Reservist soldiers.
Congress is expected to approve a plan from the responses so far from the House Armed Services committee members who have listened to Dr. Curtis Gilroy, an expert and director of accession policy for the Pentagon, and from Secretary Gates himself. It is a process to help support the retention and recruiting programs.
Gates was not able to give an exact date when questioned, but believes the program to be an important one to support the National Guard and Active duty soldiers that have been issued stop loss retention orders.
