Posted on 07/05/2006 1:17:37 AM PDT by nickcarraway
A former National Guard captain whose military service was supposed to end seven years ago was sent to Iraq for a year by mistake because of an incorrect discharge date in his records.
SNIP
"They were still carrying me on the books as a captain," Dillinger, now 45, told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "And nobody caught it. Including me."
Dillinger was told he had not been discharged because of the military's "stop-loss" program, which kept thousands of soldiers from ending their tours or retiring.
"That explanation didn't make complete sense to me, but I accepted it," he said. "I'd been in the Army a long time, and when they tell you something, you believe it."
A message left at a listing for Jim Dillinger in Mount Orab was not immediately returned Tuesday evening.
Dillinger left in January 2005 for Iraq, where he spent a year searching for and destroying roadside bombs. When he returned to the U.S. in December, he saw the erroneous discharge date in his records.
"My eyes popped out of my head," he said. "I couldn't believe that was right. And I knew darn well that it could mean I'd be deployed again."
He got the Guard and the Army Human Resources Command to investigate. On May 22, a human resources assistant reported that Dillinger's discharge date was incorrect. His discharge papers were issued the next day, followed by apologies.
The Human Resources Command did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
"I honestly believe I helped accomplish something over there, and the men I served with, they are like brothers to me," Dillinger said. "But I can't get past the fact that I should never have been sent there in the first place."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
""They were still carrying me on the books as a captain," Dillinger, now 45, told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "And nobody caught it. Including me." "
ROFL! Anyway, thank you for your extended service, Mr. Dillinger : )
It's a shame they didn't at least give him a one step promotion prior to redischarge...
Jim Dillinger stands in front of his home Sunday, July 2, 2006, in Mount Orab, Ohio. Dillinger, whose military service was supposed to end seven years ago, was sent to Iraq for a year by mistake because of an incorrect discharge date in his records. The Cincinnati Enquirer photo by Michael E. Keating via Associated Press
Too cute by half Captian. You knew there was an error and knew how to correct it. You just Saw the opportunity to serve again when the chips were really down for this country and you ran with it. You're not fooling me. Thank you for your service.
He did what he was told to do, didn't complain or desert his unit.
Amen to THAT!
So does he get 7 years of back pay?
Now some REMF will demand that he return his pay for that year Iraq. After all, he really had already resigned.
First mistake. You are your best career manager. Two months ago they told me I used 25 days of leave that I didn't take. You can bet that I caught that and had it fixed.
"I'd been in the Army a long time, and when they tell you something, you believe it."
Do what? I question everything. It is amazing how things get over looked. The longer you are in the Army the more you should know that.
Anyway, thanks for your service.
ROFL! Anyway, thank you for your extended service, Mr. Dillinger : )
It seems to me that they owe him some serious back pay too!
Mark
Good post. All on active duty know their service agreement(s), to include all officers who incur an extra year or years of service from schools such as the advanced course, CGSC, or any civilian schools for graduate degrees. I am not sure how the Guard works, but; I do know the Reserve used to send out annual statements. Regardless, the man served and got paid for his service. It does not appear he is complaining. So, I thank him and all who serve honorably.
You betcha!
SERIOUS back pay.
Too bad about Doc Daneeka. (As you may recall he lost his billet, pay and military existence because, on paper, he was dead. He lived on hand outs and slept in halls.)
"I'm sorry, captain, we'd like to discharge you, but since you were already discharged, you'll have to stay in Iraq another year. If you were killed that might be a change in status and then we could do something for you. Oh, please don't get seriously injured, because technically sir, you're not eligible for treatment in a military facility. You're not drawing sep-rats, are you, sir? (Why do I always get the troublemakers?) Have a nice day!"
He fond a home in the Army... LOL!!
You have my old 70 Vette with the America flag on the hood and back? It was a roadster with a 454 390 HP. I traded it in in 72 in Omaha.
The Army is pulling people out of jail and prison to serve in Iraq. They might as well pull a few retirees along for the ride as well...
***...any civilian schools for graduate degrees***
LOL, I have a six year obligation for grad school that is up next week. Seeing how I have 19 years in, I guess I'll stick around for a little longer.....
bump
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