Debt keeps troops from duty abroad

[girl gone mad]

Thousands lose clearance because poor finances seen as potential security risk

By Thomas Watkins, Associated Press. Associated Press writers Pauline Jelinek in Washington, Melissa Nelson in Pensacola, Fla., and Estes Thompson in Raleigh, N.C., contributed to this report
Published October 20, 2006

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 last few years. And though they appear to represent a very small percentage of all U.S. military personnel, the increase is occurring when the armed forces are stretched thin.

"We are seeing an alarming trend in degrading financial health," said Navy Capt. Mark 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 heavily in debt can be stripped of security clearances needed to go overseas.

Although the number of revoked clearances has surged since the beginning of the Iraq war, military officials say there is no evidence service members are deliberately running up debts to stay out of harm's way.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0610200136oct20,1,1003677.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

[electron_blue]

1. Wow. Interesting way to avoid Iraq.

[tjwash]

3. I'd rather just smoke a nice fat joint before I took the physical nt

[Cobalt-60]

4. borrow the money for it!

A two-fer!

[upi402]

2. beats shooting yourself in the thigh

:shrug:

[SeattleGirl]

5. "....military officials say there is no evidence service members

are deliberately running up debts to stay out of harm's way."

As we used to say when I was a kid, "Well, duh!" They don't HAVE to deliberately run up debts. Thanks to Bush's *fabulous* economic policies, among other things, there are so many people who can't even make it paycheck to paycheck any more. You don't have to go out and by a freakin' expensive car to get into debt; all you have to do is try feeding your family, and pay the bills on your palty salary. Thanks again, George.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Too bad they can't quit and get a real job.