Stryker Brigade News

Next, we have put together a timeline so that you can refresh yourself on what has already happened:

The timeline has links to the correspondence between the Senator and Secretary Rumsfeld, as well as links to other relevant documents detailing the Department's non-compliance with the law.

Next, we are seeking out members of our Armed Forces who have purchased their own body armor or other safety equipment. We want to hear their stories, because it will help us understand the scope of the problem, and put a human face on the need for the DoD to end their non-compliance with the reimbursement law.

We understand that this is a sensitive matter, and that members of the armed forces and their families might be reluctant to share their information with us. We are only collecting first names and email addresses or phone numbers, and no other identifying information, and they will remain completely confidential.

Finally, Senator Dodd will be introducing another bill which will transfer authority over the reimbursement program from Secretary Rumsfeld to the unit commanders in the field, who are in a better position to ensure our armed forces are properly reimbursed.

Senator Dodd will announce the introduction of the bill at a press conference today, where he'll provide more details about the legislation. He'll be accompanied by Sgt. Todd Bowers, an Iraqi war veteran who had to go to a gun show to purchase optical armor with his own money--armor that saved his life. (The bullet is still lodged in it!) Also joining the senator will be Retired Brig. Gen. Richard M. Green of the National Guard Association, and Retired Master Sergeant Michael P. Cline, of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard.

I want to thank you for your initial interest in this story, and I hope this new information is useful to you as well. Please feel free to contact me at this email address with any questions you might have.