bhess :

Thank you for your kind comments. My wife has had many battles with his creditors over his accounts, I really feel that creditors should be given a special class on how to deal with deployed soldiers. We send are son two packages a month to just give the little support that we can.

I also think that we need to show are support by voting, not trying to tell anyone which way though. That is something between God and yourself. For me and mine we want someone who has been down that road.

I hope your son is doing well, God bless your family and tell him we say Thank you for your service.

Military Dad - been there done that while my son was deployed in Iraq. Unfortunately the easiest way I found to pay his bills was to pay them with my account and my son would reimburse me every month. Even with the POA it was difficult because they didn't want to give me information and the credit cards were the worst. I questioned a billed he receieved (showing he had a charge in the US while overseas) and they told me they wouldn't help. I had to get a hold of someone from his unit in Warrensville Heights, OH who ended up sending me the appropriate paperwork showing he was deployed.

As for not having the items they need over there - it's a shame but a reality. I would send my son a care package every two weeks with just the bare necessities and instant Kool-aide. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. May god bring him back as healthy as you sent him.

Dear Enough:

Here is the list you asked for:

Mobile Solutions at Chapel Hill Mall in Akron- charged 250.00 early termination fee even though by law they are not suppose to. They also had sales associates telling soldiers that there phones work in Iraq. I have turned this company into the Attorney General's Office.

Sprint- took over five months for them to close his account. I spent over twenty hours on the phone with them not counting emails, faxes.

Best Buy (AKA) Retail Services- they took over four months and many phone calls to deal with them.

Companies that helped me through the process:

Armed Forces Bank, Tmobile, Yahama Financial.

The biggest issues my wife has faced is that she is the POA for are son . The orders we have do not have a roster with his name and social on them due to security issues. So they state that his unit is in Iraq but they do not list the names of the troops. Because of these many merchants really have no idea how to deal with these special issues that affect military families. Many merchants have no idea how to deal with the military when they are deployed.

Then to make matters worse are son telling us he had to pay almost 200.00 for a pair of boots just seem to push me over the edge. He has not been in three years yet to get free replacements. So it is a out of pocket expense for him. The military does issue the troops so much to began with, but with the conditions over in Iraq it takes a beating on these items. Then to find out that some of the PX stores in Iraq are price goudging the troops just seems to make matters worse.

The reason behind this article was to let the American people know some of the issues facing the troops. To those that have replied or given suggestions thank you.

We have not had any dealing with Sears, but thank you for the heads up.

I do want to thank some of the merchants in Ravenna for there discounts and praise showed to are son when he was home on leave. So many people came up to us and thanked are son for his service. I hope and pray that we treat all are soldiers like this.

I think you should list the merchants giving you a hard time (I won't support them with my money). Also list the ones that have been helpful to you - I will spend my dollars there!! I have heard Sears is one of the best for helping support our troups - could you confirm if you've had any dealings with them?

Your son shouldn't have to worry about buying boots - who can we write to, what can we do?

jk80909@yahoo.com :

He has not been in three years yet. But I appreciate all the great information. I will pass it on. I was in from 1982-1989, but life is different now.

Thank you
Bob

jk80909@yahoo.com :

Thank you for your service.

jk80909@yahoo.com :

Thank you for the information. They have had issues with stuff being stolen by Iraqi's on the FOB and the fact that boots are wearing out sooner. The last pair lasted him eight months, did not receive the clothing allowance or the extra boots for Iraq.

OK Militarydad,

I spent a few years in the Army (over 21, and retired at the rank of a First Sergeant), so I might be able to give you a little insight in what's going on:

The Army gives each new trainee a complete set of uniforms (called a clothing bag, consisting of 6 drawers, 6 pr socks, t-shirts, 4 sets ACU's, 2 pr boots, dress uniform, etc.. valued at about $1330 for males, and $1622 for females) when they enter basic training. They are expected to do their share to maintain these items. (NOTE: After the initial underwear wears out, no one I know goes out and replaces them with the Army issued brown ones! Men and women prefer to buy what you and I buy, Haines or Fruit of the Loom)!

After 3 years of service, on their anniversary date, and annually thereafter, each soldier is given a clothing maintenance allowance (about $529 for males and $619 for females).

Most units going to a combat zone are given an additional issue of 2 more uniforms, a set of boots and other stuff, because of the demanding duties and lack of washing facilities.

If an initial clothing bag item is damaged (on a mission, training or whatever, NOT fair wear and tear), the unit supply can issue a form for the soldier to get it replaced for free by an AAFES clothing sales store (Army and Air Force Exchange Services, or PX). If it is fair wear and tear, it's the soldier's responsibility to replace that item.

If there is a store on a FOB, I can guarantee it is run by AAFES (using deployed civilians from the USA and local nationals). Also, the price is the same if I buy a pair of boots at Fort Stewart Georgia, Grafenwoehr Germany, or FOB someplace, Iraq.

If he has to pay for a holster, it's because he doesn't like the one the Army gave him. Most soldiers I know have to watch what they eat, or else they would get FAT from all the food that is available. When I was deployed to Kuwait back in '95, we could pull up to a supply station, and pick up cases of MRE's and pallets of water.

I don't think you are getting the entire story here.

As for the POA problems, all I can say is to keep trying. I still work on a military installation that has a 15,000 member strong Infantry Division on it, and a lot of families have the same problem. I wish I could say it's unique to a place that doesn't have a lot of military, but it's not.

Good Luck!
John

We Should put the politicians on the front lines, maybe then they would be real patriots and honor this country like they should.

Anything I can do to help...any petition that needs signed to ensure our soldiers have what they need, just say the word. Maybe it can be forwarded to our "reps" when they're done with their break. Thank your son for myself and my family for his service. We'll keep him in our thoughts.