Troops' Debt a Growing Security Concern

[bishop]

ABC News: Troops' Debt a Growing Security Concern

SAN DIEGO - Thousands of U.S. troops are being barred from overseas duty because they are so deep in debt they are considered security risks, according to an Associated Press review of military records. The number of troops held back has climbed dramatically in the past few years. And while they appear to represent a very small percentage of all U.S. military personnel, the increase is occurring at a time when the armed forces are stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We are seeing an alarming trend in degrading financial health," said Navy Capt. Mark D. Patton, commanding officer at San Diego's Naval Base Point Loma. The Pentagon contends financial problems can distract personnel from their duties or make them vulnerable to bribery and treason. As a result, those who fall heavily into debt can be stripped of the security clearances they need to go overseas. While the number of revoked clearances has surged since the beginning of the Iraq war, military officials say there is no evidence that service members are deliberately running up debts to stay out of harm's way. Officials also say the increase has not undermined the military's fighting ability, though some say it has complicated the job of assembling some of the units needed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The problem is attributed to a lack of financial smarts among recruits; reckless spending among those exhilarated to make it home alive from a tour of duty; and the profusion of "payday lenders" - businesses that allow military personnel to borrow against their next paycheck at extremely high interest rates. The debt problems persist despite crackdowns on payday lenders and the financial counseling the Pentagon routinely offers to the troops. Data supplied to the AP by the Navy, Marines and Air Force show that the number of clearances revoked for financial reasons rose every year between 2002 and 2005, climbing ninefold from 284 at the start of the period to 2,654 last year. Partial numbers from this year suggest the trend continues. More than 6,300 troops in the three branches lost their clearances during that four-year period. Roughly 900,000 people are serving in the three branches, though not all need clearances. The figures gathered by the AP represent just a piece of problem, because the Army - which employs an additional 500,000 people and accounts for the vast majority of the 160,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan - rejected repeated requests over the past month to supply its data, saying such information is confidential. At Point Loma, Patton said clearance revocations in key areas such as military police forces have gotten so common that he often looks for two sailors to fill a single posting. Still, Patton said he had never heard of anyone racking up bills to get out of combat. "There are folks who find ways of avoiding being deployed, as there always will be, but I've never seen any do it through finances," he said. Security clearances are revoked when service members' debt payments amount to 30 percent to 40 percent of their salary. The exact amount depends on the military branch. There are three levels of clearance - confidential, secret and top secret. Not all troops need clearance. Marine infantrymen don't, but some Marine specialists, such as those in intelligence, do. So do many jobs in the Navy and Air Force. Financial problems are the overwhelming reason security clearances are revoked. Other reasons include criminal activity, questionable allegiance and ill health. A key reason the military revokes clearances on financial grounds is the fear that soldiers in debt might be tempted to sell secrets or equipment to the enemy. Also, "when they are over there fighting, we like them to have their heads in the game," said Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert, commander of Marine Corps bases in the western United States. "We like to have them ... not worrying about whether or not they are going to be able to make the mortgage payment or car payment."

[Scribbler1]

If that's the case, and considering that a huge number of those troops are from the National Guard, the military may run out of people altogether.
As most of the guard are private citizens with jobs most of the time, even though those jobs may be waiting for them when they return they are not making those salaries NOW.
I think it a safe bet that whatever the military pays isn't anywhere near as much as their civilian jobs, and those bills won't stop piling up. This would indicate the problem won't go away, it will just get worse.

Another fine example of foresight and planning from your friends at BushRumChenCo.

[Osborn F Enready]

Amazing.

[RickSp]

Obviously our soldiers are underpaid. The military has money to burn on useless advanced weapons systems but not enough for body armor or decent wages.

One thought that I find amusing is that in past wars soldiers shot themselves in the foot to avoid combat. These days all you have to do is borrow money and not pay it back.

[bishop]

i wonder which approach is worse - piling on the debt or shooting yourself in the foot...

this phenomenon definitely speaks volumes about how enthusiastic the military (particularly army grunts) is when it comes to supporting bush's little crusade project.

*mission accomplished*

[brien]

Quote by: bishop ABC News: Troops' Debt a Growing Security Concern

Perhaps this is the best way to stop the imperialist incursions and occupations of foreign nations. When Americans finally realize they are going broke by occupying the world, they will perhaps bring all of the troops home, pay off the debt, and concentrate on protecting the homeland from foreign and terrorist invasions.

[grandpa]

Quote by: brien Perhaps this is the best way to stop the imperialist incursions and occupations of foreign nations. When Americans finally realize they are going broke by occupying the world, they will perhaps bring all of the troops home, pay off the debt, and concentrate on protecting the homeland from foreign and terrorist invasions.

It is quite revealing how imperialism creates tensions in the current economy.
Perhaps the biggest terrorist threat to our future is the war economy.

Grandpa h.

[brien]

Quote by: grandpa It is quite revealing how imperialism creates tensions in the current economy. Perhaps the biggest terrorist threat to our future is the war economy. Grandpa h.

Indeed it is now. Perhaps there is a silver lining to this afterall.

[Osborn F Enready]

I had a Navy shadow on me for 6 months before I left the service, because my debt was "putting me at risk for subversion" according to them.

I was a Radioman on a Gator Freighter (LST), and since I held "Top Secret" clearance they had people checking up on me at my bank, my loan holders, etc. I ended up losing my clearance for other reasons, but it wasn't until I actually started proceedings to leave the service.