Wounded Guard and Reservists Get What They Deserve

Carlos is a friend of mine.


Congressman Geoff Davis Praises Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

Davis Successfully Offers Amendment to Benefit Wounded Soldiers

Washington, D.C. -- The National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5122) passed the House today by a vote of 396 to 31. The bill for Fiscal Year 2007 reflects the House goal of ensuring that American warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan have the equipment they need.

The Act included language that Congressman Geoff Davis successfully offered as an amendment last week during the House Armed Services Committee's consideration of the bill. His amendment contained the same language as a bill he introduced in April, the Staff Sergeant Carlos Farler Citizen Soldier Equality Act of 2006 (H.R. 5083). That bill was named after a constituent from Tollesboro who, as a former member of the Kentucky Army National Guard, was permanently disabled while serving in Iraq.
SSg Carlos Farler in black t-shirt.



Congressman Davis' amendment increases military retiree pay for some reservists who are severely and permanently disabled from being wounded in action. The computation of retired disability pay is often based upon years of service. Under current law, a reservist gets credit only for the time he actually spends in uniform. For example, a soldier who has spent thirteen years in the Kentucky Army National Guard may have only four years of service when his duty days are added up. Davis' amendment will change the law so that the actual number of years spent in the reserves will be used. Any service member who earns the Purple Heart, for being wounded in action, will be entitled to the same computation of his or her disability retired pay.

Sergeant Carlos Farler said, "When it comes to being wounded in combat, it shouldn't make a difference if you're in the regular Army, the National Guard or the reserves, disability should be the same. A lot of soldiers could benefit from this bill. When I first spoke to Congressman Davis about this, I just wanted to make him aware of this inequity for those of us in the Guard and reserves. Geoff recognized the problem and went to work immediately to solve it. I am grateful that our elected leaders heard us and have taken action."

"I am personally grateful to Congressman Davis and all of our legislators for their efforts with this bill," said Major General Donald C. Storm, Adjutant General for Kentucky. "The role of the citizen-soldier has changed dramatically in fighting the global war on terror, and the dedication and sacrifices of these great American patriots should be no less recognized than those of their active duty brethren. There is no better way for the American people to thank our citizen-soldiers for their service than by helping them in their time of need."

Congressmen Davis commented, "A bullet doesn't discriminate between an active and a reserve service member. Neither should we. Now is the time to compute disability retirement pay in the same way for both active and reserve members of our armed forces who are wounded in action."

Davis continued, "Earlier this year I visited Staff Sergeant Carlos Farler who was a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. I was stunned when this great American, whose home is in the Fourth District, told me that disability retirement pay is sometimes computed differently for reservists than it is for active service members who have the same wounds from the same battle, with the citizen soldier coming up short."

Among other things, H.R. 5122, The National Defense Authorization Act, will:

· Authorize $512.9 billion for national defense;
· Provide $50 billion in supplemental funding to support current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terror;

· Support military personnel;
· Provide improved capabilities to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs);
· And reform the process that the Department of Defense uses to acquire expensive new weapons.