Update: Saturday

Today we received checks from the ARC-ERF loan we requested. They did give us grant money for our electric bill, so that part we don't have to pay back. The rest of it is an interest free loan. Last time we received this, we paid it back in full as soon as Michael got paid. This time, however, I think we'll pay it back in installments, though perhaps we'll send bigger payments than those required, because the sooner we pay it back, the sooner they can help out someone else.

So that will pay for the basics (electric, mortgage, child support, insurance, car payment) plus the home phone bill. We are still way behind on our cell phones, which will probably be shut off before we get Michael's check for September (which is supposed to be the 15th or the 22nd of December, hopefully). And as soon as we can get some paperwork from the VA on his PTSD, they will be able to submit the extension packet for his INCAP pay, which should be good for 180 days starting October 1st. That would be through March of 2009. Hopefully by then he will have had his second appointment at Fort Sill and be scheduled for his board examination/evaluation at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. I also hope to have all of his medical records gathered and put together by then!! That is probably going to be a grueling task, considering how apt the Army is at "losing" such things.

I, as usual, feel a little less stressed now that half of our bills will be paid. But I never get my hopes up too high. The saddest part of this is that Michael and I normally give people credit; we trust people, but now we've become quite jaded in that respect. Neither of us takes anyone working on this case at their word anymore. Basically, we have to see it to believe it. I just hope that doesn't overflow into other aspects of our lives.

Brie'Anne

Rant

On top of all the other frustrations, and although our credit was not top notch to begin with, I feel that the National Guard/Army is responsible for the continued decline of it. No matter that we get a lump sum of three months worth of pay (in September)...we still have to pay all the late fees and interest fees on everything that is behind. Just wanted to rant about that while it was on my mind.

Brie'Anne

Update: Friday

Michael emailed Bridgette O'Connell the most current medical paperwork that we have. They should also have all of his most current paperwork from our trip to Ft. Sill. There should not only be information on his shoulder injury in there, but also on his PTSD (I haven't discussed that on here yet, but the VA has diagnosed Michael with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, tinnitus, and sleep apnea). She needed this in order to process his INCAP extension so that they can process his INCAP pay for October, November and soon December. Apparently they require an extension every 180 days. Here is the email we got back after Michael sent B.O. the latest documentation we have:

Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

SSG Griffin
I've already sent this to NGB. [National Guard Bureau] This is not enough for them. NGB has determined that with you [sic] shoulder having reached maximum medical benefit, we cannot pay you Incap for that. We have to do your Incap based on your PTSD.
The VA print out that I have was printed out in August. I need something
more current.


Bridgette O'Connell
LOD Case Manager/Incap Manager

So he called the VA this morning. He uses the outpatient clinic in El Dorado. They told him they would send his most current medical documentation/files out today (in the mail). He called back to see if he could drive there and pick it up (like we really have the money for that, but we are desperate!) and they informed him that they are actually way behind on their paperwork and are currently working on paperwork for May...

Michael requested the VA to release any medical documents to the Army National Guard about 6 months ago and then he did two other requests in early November. I don't know if anyone has received this information. I don't even know what his medical file looks like (though I'm sure it's the size of a large dictionary considering how long he's been in the Guard) or where it might be. We have been told numerous times that they don't have this or that, that they've lost his paperwork, that no one ever sent this to that person. I call it the good ol' run-around.

I am currently working on getting a copy of his entire medical file and then we can add to it as we get different paperwork, since it seems like the Army can't get it together on their own. That is really our major problem here. Personnel in one office fails to communicate with personnel in another office. Paperwork is lost or misplaced (or lies on a desk for a month). One of Michael's contacts in the Guard who has recently gone through the MEB/PEB process and is now out wrote a great thread about this on a forum. Here is what he had to say, and I know there are a lot of acronyms in there, but you can get the picture:

Absolutely understand what you are talking about. I was a FTUS Admin NCO in the National Guard. I have helped facilitate (Unit level) the Incap and ADME process for several soldiers throughout my career and one aspect I have found that attributes to this problem is that the process is "people dependent" and not "system dependent". What I mean is when soldiers are brought on to AGR or Tech Duty they are basically thrown a set of keys to the armory and told, "keep it open and learn your job". The learning curve for the position is long because the process is intimidating and overwhelming. Because of this there are usually only a couple of competent personnel (especially since Admin/Supply NCO's are an entry level position) in each Battalion/Squadron. For this reason they are the folks that are depended on to make the system work. If these personnel are not in the soldiers particular company/troop or if they are on TDY the work will not get done. Others depend on their expertise and will not make a move without a phonecall to confirm what they are doing is the right thing and as the tasks pile up apathy sets in. This is not an excuse, it is inexcuseable, but that is the reality of the situation.

Another issue if you are at a JTFHQ which it sounds like you are and maybe assigned to a CBHCO then there is usually ONE, (and this absolutely kills me every time), person who does THAT PARTICULAR JOB AND NO ONE ELSE ON IN THAT OFFICE OR ON EARTH FOR THAT MATTER HAS EVER CROSSTRAINED INTO NOR KNOWS ANYTHING REMOTELY GOING ON IN THAT PERSONS POSITION. Therefore they cannot help you when that person goes on leave for two weeks. Nothing gets done and things get stagnant. Again, inexcuseable.

Once this accumulates the poor training and increased workload (which would stress a well trained section), creates an atmosphere of apathy and survivalism. Thats where the fingerpointing you eluded to come into play. Deflection as a survival mechanism. What I mean is once they get into that job then they automatically come to two realizations. 1) That is the most important job in the Army/AF/Navy etc.. and 2) Their maintaining status in that job is the most important thing in that office. Both of which are false assumptions which lead to neglect of the soldiers/airmen etc... that they were put there to assist. This is all attributed to as Jason said, a failure in leadership.

That's pretty much how it is. If I could fix it I would, but we're talking about the entire United States Military here. I'm only one person, right?

Brie'Anne

Update: Thursday

As of today, I have emailed our ARRC-ERF application to CSM Collins with copies of all the bills we are requesting get paid (I did this on Wednesday-yesterday). This is an emergency relief fund that we used the first time. They gave us an interest free loan which we promptly paid back as soon as Michael received some of his back-pay. They also paid one or two of the bills with grant money that we didn't have to pay back, which was nice. Also, we received assistance from USA Cares. They brought our mortgage payment current at the time, as well as paying a few other past due bills, with a grant.

If Michael and I ever get to a point where we can comfortably make donations to charities, USA Cares and the Arkansas Reserve Components Emergency Relief Fund will certainly be at the top of our list!

Now, as for how all of this makes Michael feel...as far as I can tell, and from what we've talked about, the situation makes him feel expendable and worthless. Now is that how a veteran should feel? No, I am pretty sure he should feel the complete opposite! He has done his duty to this country. He was a good soldier and a good medic-probably one of the best. He should feel that the military recognizes and respects this and does their best to make his life a little better. But instead, we are hung up in the middle of the bureaucracy that is the United States government, making up for the inadequacies of people who cannot fulfill their job duties, doing the majority of the paper and leg-work ourselves.

Brie'Anne

Additional response from CSM Collins

Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 9:19 AM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Brie'Anne and Michael, just a follow up on the issue with National Guard Bureau. With the Supervisor getting involved, we got confirmation from NGB to send the Extension Request by email and it was emailed yesterday. As we here [sic] on the progress of the extension, I will let you know. I can not even predict any kind of turn around but I hope it will not be too long.


Deborah J. Collins
Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard

Excuses, excuses or CSM Collins' response

Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 4:18 PM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Brie'Anne, September will be processed/reviewed by the INCAP Board tomorrow. Hopefully I can give you a pay date (when you will get paid) by close of business tomorrow if not then the next day. Brie'Anne, I do not have any excuses for why this was not processed. It is totally our fault according to the explanation I have received. This does not help you, and you and SSG Griffin have every right to be really upset. I will tell you we are working so very hard to try to get this process streamlined and we have also provided several more full time personnel authorizations to work these issues, but unfortunately we have to go through the hiring process which is not fast. I do know that this is an issue that The Adjutant General, the Chief of Staff, myself and several others have been pushing to try to get it fixed.

I do not know when the pay date will be as it depends on cut off dates for input, etc. etc. Based on the projected pay day, we may need to do another ERF application like you'll did the last time. Now there is another issue in that National Guard Bureau must approve an extension packet (only 6 months at a time) - they must approve starting for Oct. There is a problem with the computer program that this is suppose to be done through. However, several key personnel are involved and making contact with NGB to try to get the paperwork to them (it is all suppose to be done through this computer system) More to follow on this issue. I don't have an answer for it yet. I will let you know more as I get the info.


Deborah J. Collins
Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard

CSM Collins' immediate response

Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 8:00 AM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Brie'Anne, I received your email and am checking into what is going on. Give me a little time. I was out when you sent your email originally and I know Bridgette is state employee and was out until yesterday. I will let you know.


Deborah J. Collins
Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard

Call log that was attached to the latest email to CSM Collins

11/25/08 - 10:45 AM

Called Bridgett O'Connell, asked where we were with INCAP pay. BO's response, I got all of your INCAP packets submitted. I asked when would pay go through. BO said, "Well, I should be able to pay you soon." I asked why pay wasn't showing on mypay for tomorrow (Wed) when she told me early last week that she would file emergency board and I would get paid a week from Wednesday. She stated that she never said that, she never said anything about Wednesday. I told her yes she did and read notation to her from last week. She stated, "Well what I was saying was, I would submit your packet a week from Wednesday for pay." I told her since I haven't been paid for September it would be hard to have a Thanksgiving, and since October hasn't been filed, I wouldn't be paid in December and there would be no way I could have Christmas for my family. I said this upsets me a lot, what do we need to do? She stated, "Well, I'm still working on processing your extension packet." I asked who was responsible for filing packets, because SGT Casey Jackson had driven to my house, we completed all the paperwork he brought together, and he said it was submitted. I asked who takes care of it from there, who is responsible? Do they just lay on Moore's desk, or in a cabinet? Why isn't this being taken care of?

She stated, "I don't have any current medical documentation from you. Do you have any medical documentation to get me?"

I explained that I had sent it all with SGT Jackson the last two months when he came to my house. And that paperwork, from earlier this month at Ft. Sill from my MEB/PEB was in my record, and that my VA appointment on November 20th was sent and I couldn't get much more current than that.

I asked if I needed to just stay in my chain of command, MSG Cummings. She said, "I think I've seen something else come through on you, let me take a look and see." She asked if she could call me back. I told her my cell phone wasn't on and gave her my wife's work number where I am right now.

My most recent email to CSM Collins

Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Subj: Pay Problems Again

Dear Ma'am,

I do hope your remember our situation but I realize you are very busy. My name is Brie'Anne Griffin and my husband, SSG Michael Griffin is going through the MEB/PEB process and is currently supposed to be receiving monthly INCAP pay. We had problems a few months ago that seemed to be resolved up until this month, though they are still a month behind with his pay.

Our current unit point of contact is MSG Harry Cummings, as SGT Casey Jackson, our normal PoC, is at Camp Shelby awaiting the arrival of the 39th BCT soldiers from Iraq. SGT Jackson had been doing a wonderful job of getting all the paperwork done on his end, and as far as we know, he has gotten all the paperwork to Camp Robinson that he has been asked to.

Michael has been told that Bridget O'Connell is the person at Camp Robinson who is supposed to process his DFAS INCAP paperwork now. He spoke to her last week and she told him that she would do an emergency board and that he would receive his pay Wednesday, November 26. The latest pay received was October 15, 2008 for the month of August, 2008. Michael spoke with Ms. O'Connell again Tuesday, because nothing was showing up on his "MyPay." I have attached the call log from that phone call to this email. She did not call him back that day as she told him she would.

It seems to me that Ms. O'Connell does not think of Michael as a real person and is not concerned with whether or not we can pay our bills or eat. If there is any way you could let her know that my husband is a real, living, breathing human being (more than that, a real, living, breathing soldier and veteran) and her lack of concern or lack of efficiency in her job is actually very hurtful to him individually and to our family, both emotionally and financially, I would greatly appreciate it.

I will also email all of our contact information to Ms. O'Connell, though she has received it numerous times, so that she may contact us if she has any questions or problems with processing Michael's pay.

I hope this can be resolved quickly. Michael has been given excuse after excuse as to why his paperwork has not been processed this time, so we are not certain what the actual problem is. If anyone could contact us and tell us what they need from him, we are more than happy to get it to them. This email is the best way to reach either of us, but I have listed our telephone numbers as well.

Sincerely,
Brie'Anne Griffin

Response from CSM Deborah Collins

Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 4:13 PM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Mrs. Griffin: MG Wofford ask that I respond to you before close of business today on the INCAP situation for your husband, SSG Michael Griffin. The entire staff - 39th Read Detachment Commander and Staff, MEDCOM, CPT Lowery, our Full Time PA, Personnel Office and many more have been engaged in figuring out where we are and the steps we need to take to resolve this situation.

This is [sic] the actions pending in order to resolve the INCAP pay issue. Ms O'Connell is formally requesting a statement of your husbands lost civilian wages from Magnolia Healthcare center this afternoon. Ms O'Connell is also calling the Military Medical Support Office in Great Lakes, IL this afternoon to get authorization for a Doctor's visit with Dr. Daniels (Ortho). This may take a day or two. Your husband will need to visit Dr. Daniels to evaluate his current medical status on the right Soldier. The results of this visit will then be sent to MEDCOM (Medical Command) and to CPT Lowery for review/signature on the DA Form 7574-1 (Military Physician's Statement of Soldier's Incapacitation/Fitness For Duty). There is a requirement for a Military Physician's review and assessment. These documents will have to added to the Extension Packet that goes to National Guard Bureau. COL
McCarroll has contacted National Guard Bureau to see if we can get the extension of the INCAP expedited for approval.

Now having stated all these things, your husband should be hearing something concerning appointments, etc. before week's end.

Now, the next and probably more pressing issue at this time is the lack of receipt of pay for 3 months. I know you were referred to Operation Homefront, but you did not state if they provided you any assistance, but there is also another means. You can apply for assistance through the Arkansas Reserve Component Emergency Relief Fund. This issue can be tied to
mobilization/deployment, therefore making you eligible. I am attaching a web link to the application and description of the process. I am the POC for processing the application. Once we receive the application and supporting documentation (copies of bills) the application is generally processed in 24-48 Hours. If you have any questions about the process or anything else please do not hesitate to contact me. My numbers are listed below.
http://www.arguard.org/aarcerf.htm

This is an unfortunate situation and I regret that there is more than enough blame to pass around. But we know there is a problem now, and the staff has taken actions to put the resolution in motion. Unfortunately, it is just not a quick enough as some of us would prefer (including myself).


Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard

MG William Wofford's email response to me

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 5:25am

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Mrs. Griffin:

Thank you for contacting me and bringing this issue to my attention. I have tasked our staff to look into your situation immediately and to provide you information before close of business today on what will be done to expedite resolution of this issue.

I know that there are no words that can be said to ease your frustration at this time. However, please know that we will do everything possible to resolve this issue.

Thank you.

Bill Wofford
MG WILLIAM D. WOFFORD
The Adjutant General
Joint Force Headquarters-Arkansas

My email to the Adjutant General of Arkansas

Monday, July 28, 2008 10:53PM

Dear Sir,

My husband, SSG Michael R. Griffin (SSN), was deployed with the 39th Brigade for their first tour in Iraq. He was injured there, as well as in New Orleans when he volunteered with the ARNG after Hurricane Katrina. He has had two shoulder surgeries and is unable to work his job as an LPN. He has been put on INCAP pay with the National Guard while waiting for his PEB/MEB proceedings. He has gone to his FFDB, and has appealed their decision.

We have had numerous problems with the INCAP pay being processed during the time he's been receiving it. This is mostly due, in my opinion, to the high turnover of administrative personnel within the National Guard, their age and rank (and, therefore, their lack of training), and a lack of communication between the unit level personnel and the state level personnel. We are constantly given the "runaround" by all involved.

As of this letter, he has not received INCAP pay for April, May, June or July. We are trying to make ends meet, but are two months or more behind on the majority of our bills. We were told the pay problem is due to the fact that no one has ever filed an INCAP Pay Extension on his behalf, but that they are working to get the extension filed. We were told first that they would be able to file his packets for April, May and June pay without the extension, and now they are telling us the INCAP pay for April, May, and June cannot be filed and accepted without the extension being processed first. My husband has given the administrative personnel assigned to his case his trust and is always one to take people at their word. He has been very patient and tried to do things via his chain of command without any results. Any guidance or help on this matter would be greatly appreciated at this point, as we are already in desperate times. I am attaching the call log that he has been keeping over the last month to give you some idea of what we've been dealing with. Here is our point of contact information on all those involved with my husband's case:
[I listed contact info for Michael, SGT Casey Jackson, SSG Eugene Moore, MSG Harry Cummings and Mrs. Bridget O'Connell]

Thank you for your time,
Brie'Anne Griffin

Call log

Call Log of SSG Michael R. Griffin

Address

Address

(xxx) xxx-xxxx

email address

From this point forward:

SGT Jackson refers to:

Casey J. Jackson, SGT, Admin NCO

HHT 1-151 Cav, Rear Det NCOIC

email address, telephone number

SSG Moore refers to:

Eugene B. Moore, SSG

Incap Manager

Camp Robinson, AR

email address, telephone number

MSG Cummings refers to:

Harry J. Cummings, MSG

1-151 CAV NCOIC

email address, telephone number

Mrs. O’Connell refers to:

Mrs. Bridget O'Connell

Case worker, Camp Robinson, AR

telephone number

Me and I refer to:

Michael R. Griffin, SSG

HHT 1-151 Cav, (except where stated that caller was Brie’Anne, my wife.)

July 1, 2008

· I called Warren Armory, SGT Jackson states that SSG Moore at Camp Robinson called him and, “Cannot find any medical packet or information about [me] since Bridget O’Connell left.” SSG Moore told Jackson that he [Moore] needs me to go for another Fitness for Duty Board at Camp Robinson, probably July 17-19, 2008. SGT Jackson requested I fax him all medical records that I have. I told him the last thing I had from a doctor was the physicians’ statement that I had faxed to him on June 23, 2008.

July 2, 2008

· Called SSG Moore and he said my packet went to my case worker, Bridget O’Connell and to have paperwork faxed to her.

· Called SGT Jackson, he said he’d written a nasty email to SSG Moore and had told his superior officer, MSG Cummings. MSG Cummings told Jackson to, “Lay off Little Rock,” and only do the paperwork, no bad emails. Also, Cummings said that he would contact a MJR Pickle.

· Called Mrs. O’Connell, she said my packet was there, she had it.

· Called SGT Moore, he told me he had no PEB on me. He was confused as to whether I was Michael GRIFFIS or GRIFFIN and I had to spell it several times. He said he would call Heidi Buck and find out about my MEB.

July 7, 2008

· 12noon: Called Warren Armory and talked with SGT on duty. No word from MSG Cummings and Jackson is running back and forth to Little Rock.

· Spoke with SGT Jackson. He said, “They’re not telling me anything.” Asked him if I could speak to MSG Cummings, overheard MSG Cummings in the background tell SGT Jackson, “Give him Moore’s fucking number because Moore’s not telling us anything.”

· SSG Eugene Moore’s number is (xxx) xxx-xxxx

· Called SSG Moore, told him who I was. He asked if I was Michael GRIFFIS or GRIFFIN and I clarified who I was. He asked what I needed, I told him I was checking on the status of my paperwork and he told me to call SGT Jackson.

· Called SGT Jackson, he stated that on Thursday (July 3?), SSG Moore told him that “he [me] doesn’t need an extension for INCAP.” SGT Jackson stated that SSG Moore emailed him on Friday (July 4?) saying he did need the extension for INCAP. SGT Jackson said he emailed SSG Moore back and told him he needed some information on me and that SSG Moore has not responded.

· Called SSG Moore back, he states, “Refresh me on what we are doing.” Told him who I was and what the problem was – INCAP and not being paid – and he stated, “There were no dates on the DD-114 sent by Casey Jackson or the dates were wrong. None of the DD-114’s had the right date and they need to be signed by the card holder for signatures.” He also said he needs me to sign a 7574-2 counseling form for every month I am claiming. Said he will go upstairs and talk to Mrs. O’Connell. Stated that Mrs. O’Connell is still my case worker and that he only does INCAP pay. Asked SSG Moore to call me in the morning when he talks to Mrs. O’Connell and gave him my home phone number. He said he would or that I could call him back. Told him thanks and to have a good day.

· Tried to call SGT Jackson on his gov’t cell phone, no answer, will try again later.

· SGT Jackson called me back. I told him everything that SSG Moore told me and that I will try to email him by tomorrow the paperwork that he needs to make the packets correct for SSG Moore to process them. He said all packets were sent for April and May and that he told Mrs. O’Connell to let him know if anything needed correcting. He said now he’s just pissed off that I told him that because Camp Robinson is just now saying, three months later, that they were not correct.

July 9, 2008

· I drove to Warren Armory and assisted SGT Jackson in correctly re-filing my INCAP claims for April, May and June. Made copies of Physician’s Recommendations. SGT Jackson scanned and emailed all paperwork to SSG Moore and CC to Mrs. O’Connell, LT Hurst, MSG Cummings and me.

July 10, 2008

· 8:45AM: I called SGT Jackson at Warren Armory. He said that SSG Moore told him that he needed a 7574-1 for each month and to fill them out with dates that INCAP was applied for and send them, and that SSG Moore would get CPT Lowery to fill in the correct blocks.

· 9:00AM: Called SSG Moore and he said that there was no way he could get the emails to print and have the packet ready to present to the board by 12:30PM today. States that he needs a 7574-1 for every month. I told him that those shouldn’t have to be attached every month. SSG Moore said, in a louder tone, “You have to have a 7574-1 for every month.” He stated that he’d been trying to call SGT Jackson and never gets an answer from him. I gave him SGT Jackson’s gov’t cell phone number:

(xxx) xxx-xxxx

· SSG Moore asked me again, just to clarify, is my name GIFFIN or GRIFFIN and spelled it. Said some of the paperwork had both on it. I spelled my full name for him and gave him the last four digits of my SSN.

July 14, 2008

· 9:00AM: Spoke with SSG Moore, he stated that he was unable to process the paperwork on Thursday, July 10, because there was no way to get the paperwork done and he would try to get an emergency board to meet next week.

· 9:30AM: Called SGT Jackson at Warren Armory, told him what SSG Moore had said. SGT Jackson stated that SSG Moore should have everything he needed because he sent it all to SSG Moore on Thursday morning, July 10. SGT Jackson also stated that he had CC’d the information to his [Jackson’s] peers as well, and that he had confirmation that the materials had been received and opened by SSG Moore via email.

· 10:30AM: Spoke with SSG Moore again and asked him again if he needed anything from me. He stated that he did not, and,-just to make sure- from now on, make sure that Jackson had my paperwork right because, “It doesn’t affect me whether you get paid or not.” Said that he will try to get an emergency board and that it only consisted of emailing people on the board.

July 16, 2008

· Called SSG Moore. Asked if he had any news on pay or the emergency board. He stated that he got the paperwork done and will get a board meeting.

July 17, 2008

· Tried to call SSG Moore today, several times, with no answer and no voicemail pick-up.

July 18, 2008

· Tried to call SSG Moore three more times today, no answer and no voicemail pick-up.

· Called SGT Jackson’s gov’t cell phone. He is in Warren. He said there was a Fitness for Duty Board this weekend and that was probably why SSG Moore had not been in his office, because most of Camp Robinson had been pulled away to assist with the physicals and paperwork for that.

July 21, 2008

· 2:00PM: Have attempted numerous times today to contact SSG Moore with no answer and no voicemail pick-up.

· Called Mrs. O’Connell, no answer. I left her a voicemail to please call my house and leave a message with my wife on news of INCAP. I left her my home phone number.

· Tried numerous times today to contact SGT Jackson on both his office and his gov’t cell phone number. I left him a voicemail on his gov’t cell phone for him to please call me back.

· Made contact with LT Hurst at Warren Armory. He told me that SGT Jackson was in a G-1 class all this week at Camp Robinson.

· Called SGT Jackson’s gov’t cell phone to call me back and left my dad’s cell phone number as I am in El Dorado at the hospital because my step-mother is having surgery and my cell phone has been shut-off due to unpaid bill.

July 22, 2008

· 9:00AM: Called SSG Moore and he said he was getting ready to submit my packets for April, May and June for INCAP pay today to an emergency board. He said that he had emailed MSG Cummings on June 23, 2008 and told him that he needed an extension packet completed on me because one had never been done. He asked again today if I had ever been to the Fitness for Duty Board. I told him yes and that I had appealed their decision. He asked who I appealed to and I told him I had sent my appeal to my unit and was assisted by SSG Wesley Smith so it could go through the proper channels. He said he was going to talk to Heidi Buck and asked me to call him back in 45 minutes.

· 9:50AM: Attempted to call SSG Moore, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 10:10AM: Attempted to call SSG Moore, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 10:20AM: Called SSG Moore, he told me that he may need me to come to Troop Medical Center for evaluation. He said I was on the board to be scheduled to go to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for an MEB. He said he still needed my extension packet from my unit. Said he was going to transfer me to Mrs. O’Connell, I waited on hold for five minutes and the phone never rang.

· Hung up and dialed Mrs. O’Connell’s extension. I got her voicemail and left her a message to please call at my home number and left it.

· 11:41AM: I called Warren Armory. LT Hurst answered and I asked for MSG Cummings. LT Hurst said MSG Cummings was at the armory in Mena this week. I asked for MSG Cummings gov’t cell phone number and he gave it to me:

· (xxx) xxx-xxxx

· 12:20PM: Called MSG Cummings cell. Asked him if he knew if the extension packet had been completed and filed for my INCAP. He said he knew that SGT Jackson had sent some paperwork but couldn’t check because of where he was today. He told me to call SGT Jackson’s gov’t cell phone and leave a message to return my call “ASAP.”

· 12:22PM: Called SGT Jackson on his gov’t cell phone. He was on his lunch break from class at Camp Robinson and answered. I told him about my conversation with SSG Moore and that Moore had said he had to have my extension packet before he could file INAP pay for April, May and June. SGT Jackson said he had all emails and requests for help that he had sent to SSG Moore saved on his external hard drive, and that he had it at Camp Robinson with him. He said there was information that he needed from Moore to fill in some of the blocks on the extension form. He said that he was going to see Heidi Buck and that he would also talk with LT COL Brooks. I told him it was very urgent because I had nothing left to sell or pawn, and was supposed to get my daughter for visitation tomorrow, but couldn’t keep her because my lights would be cut off Thursday. So I would have no fridge, fans, would be unable to run water for baths, clothes and dishes, or have water to cook with and drink. I said PLEASE, PLEASE, let him know this.

July 23, 2008

· 10:30AM: Called SGT Jackson’s cell, no answer, left message for him to call me back at home, left number.

· 10:48AM: Called MSG Cummings cell, no answer, left a message for him to call me back at home, left number.

· 10:50AM: Called SSG Moore, 10 rings, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 11:29AM: Called SSG Moore, 10 rings, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 11:31AM: Called Mrs. O’Connell, got voicemail. Left message to please call me back and left my home number and said that it was very urgent.

· 12:38PM: Called SGT Jackson’s cell, left a message to call me at home, left number, said I would be there for 20 more minutes.

· 12:40PM: Called SSG Moore, 10 rings, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 12:48PM: Called MSG Cummings cell, no answer, left voicemail to please call me back.

· Approx. 12:55PM: Brie’Anne – Called MSG Cummings and left a message stating who I was and for him to call me back here at the store, ReDesigns (xxx) xxx-xxxx

· Approx. 1:00PM: Brie’Anne – MSG Cummings called me back. I asked if he’d received my message and he stated that no, he had not, that he had been in a meeting and had a missed call from this number. I told him who I was and asked him if he remembered receiving an email from SSG Moore on June 23, requesting an extension for Michael’s INCAP. His answer was that SGT Jackson was working with SSG Moore on this situation. I said, “Okay…” there was a pause and he asked if that helped. I said no, not really, I want to know if you remember receiving an email from SSG Moore requesting an extension of Michael’s INCAP. He stated that he would have to look at his emails and that he wasn’t anywhere close to where he could do that right now. I told him okay, thank you, and hung up.

· Approx. 1:15PM: Brie’Anne – Called SGT Jackson. He is at Camp Robinson. Told him who I was and asked him what was going on with Michael’s case. He said he was on his way (it sounded as if he was actually walking right then) to speak to SSG Moore and Mrs. O’Connell to ask them why they haven’t been helping him and what the problem was. I mentioned the verbatim comment from SSG Moore, “It doesn’t affect me whether you get paid or not.” Then we talked back and forth privately about the whole situation. I told him I appreciated him and asked if he would call me back at the store, ReDesigns, and gave him the number, and let me know what he found out. Told him Michael was not at home and our cell phones were cut off. He took down my number and said he would call me.

· 2:39PM: Brie’Anne –SGT Jackson called, says Mrs. O’Connell is sending INCAP paperwork to board members to vote on it, and as soon as she gets enough yes votes back, she will send it over to pay branch to get it paid tomorrow. SGT Jackson stated that they usually, “do dumps” on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that it usually takes 10-12 days from then to get paid. SGT Jackson stated that he will call Stephanie Tucker Friday and try to get us the exact dates for pay. He stated that Mrs. O’Connell told him that since it’s been more than 30 days since Michael has been paid, we need to apply for an MWR loan, and that Mrs. O’Connell will send the minutes over to Miss Abbit, and she will call pay branch to verify the loan. He also stated that he has filed an IG complaint on SSG Moore and that MSG Cummings would file an IG complaint on SSG Moore as well. I asked him if he would send me copies of the emails he has on file showing where he’d emailed SSG Moore for help on filling out the extension. He said he would and took down my email address: email address@gmail.com

· Brie’Anne – Spoke with Mrs. O’Connell. She stated that she is sending out the INCAP packet for votes (email meeting), and after enough yes votes come back, she will send it to payroll, probably by tomorrow. She stated that after the INCAP packet is at payroll, Miss Abbit at MWR will have the meeting minutes and can process an MWR Loan. She gave me Miss Abbit’s phone number

· (xxx) xxx-xxxx. She told me to make sure to call her tomorrow before I called Miss Abbit, I told her I would.

· Mrs. O’Connell stated that SSG Moore looked at all she had been doing (since he took over INCAP pay) and asked her how she did it, stated that it was the job of three people. She stated that they have given INCAP back to her for the time being. She also stated that SSG Moore was on leave.

· Approx. 3:45PM: Spoke with MSG Cummings, he called the store, ReDesigns. He stated that the verbatim comment from SSG Moore, “It doesn’t affect me whether you get paid or not,” crawled all over him. He was just calling me back to make sure that SGT Jackson had gotten something accomplished today. He wanted to make sure that the INCAP was processed and check on what SGT Jackson told him about the MWR Loan. I told him what Mrs. O’Connell told me about the loan and INCAP and that SGT Jackson had tried to explain the same thing to me but that he was trying to explain both things at once and it was hard to understand him, so I spoke with Mrs. O’Connell to get my facts straight. I made sure to note to MSG Cummings that Jackson had done a great, great job these past few days. MSG Cummings expressed how upset he was about our situation and told me that he had been on Haifa Street with Michael and respected him and just wanted everything to get taken care of, etc. He told me to keep him posted on INCAP pay and the loans and said that he was in meetings this week and would get the word out about SSG Moore not helping Jackson and stating that it didn’t affect him whether Michael got paid or not. I told him that I realized this problem wasn’t just with Michael and he seemed to want to take it up the chain of command rather quickly and get something done about it. I also mentioned to MSG Cummings that I had asked SGT Jackson for copies of the emails and wanted to make sure that he was okay with SGT Jackson forwarding them to me, he stated that it would not be a problem.

· Brie’Anne – Called SGT Jackson again and he stated that he was working on putting Michael’s LOD into the LOD Module. He said that they have a hard copy of it but that all of them are being put into this ‘Module’ now. He also stated that he might have to go back to Warren for some paperwork for either the LOD or the INCAP extension. I asked if there was anybody there in Warren who could get it to him and he stated that there was not.

· Approx. 6:30PM: Michael called SGT Jackson and SGT Jackson recounted everything he had said to me today to Michael. He also stated that Mrs. O’Connell told him that she should have filed or requested an INCAP extension on Michael but never did, and that it was her fault.

· Brie’Anne – Talked to a friend on Yahoo Instant Messenger who is in the ARNG tonight and told him about our situation and he asked me why Michael hadn’t filed a complaint with the IG already. I told him that before we started making a log of all our telephone conversations, SSG Moore had told him that it wouldn’t do him any good to file a complaint with the IG.

July 25, 2008

· 9:48AM: Brie’Anne – I tried to call Mrs. O’Connell, got her voicemail, didn’t leave a message.

· 11:00AM: Michael – Called Mrs. O’Connell, told her I was just checking in to see how things were going. She said she couldn’t send my packets to payroll until the extension was complete because payroll wouldn’t accept them without NGB approving the extension and then it would take about a week for NGB to approve and process the extension once it was filed with them. I asked if we could still apply for the MWR loan and she stated, “I’m afraid not,” because they have to have verification from payroll and payroll has to have the packets and payroll can’t do the packets until the extension is filed. I asked where we were with the extension and she said that SSG Moore was working on that with my unit.

· 11:10AM: Called SSG Moore, rang 10 times, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 11:15AM: Called SGT Jackson’s gov’t cell. Told him what Mrs. O’Connell said. He said that he had talked with her yesterday and she had told him she was sending packets over to pay branch. He said SSG Moore had not attempted to contact him and that SSG Moore had his cell number. SGT Jackson stated that he had a class yesterday with a LT Beenes and a LT COL Redman and told them of the problems and that they were going to talk to LT COL Brooks. SGT Jackson said that Mrs. O’Connell told him that SSG Moore was on leave for the rest of the week, I let him know that SSG Moore was in his office today and not on leave. SGT Jackson stated that he was finished with his class at Camp Robinson and was on his way home. He was driving and was in Fordyce at that moment. I asked him if he was on leave all next week and he said all but Monday and that he would be at Warren Armory then and had a conference with Brigade on Monday.

· 12:00noon: Called SSG Moore, rang 10 times, no answer, no voicemail pick-up.

· 12:05PM: Called MSG Cummings gov’t cell phone. 3 rings, no answer. Phone picked up with voicemail then it hung up and I got the fast busy signal.

· 12:09PM: Called MSG Cummings and got his voicemail, left a message for him to call me back on home number.

· 12:17PM: MSG Cummings called me back and asked what he could do for me. I explained the situation with the extension packet and told him I had talked with SGT Jackson and where Jackson was. MSG Cummings had called me from his home number, (xxx) xxx-xxxx because his cell phone service was poor where he was. He asked about the MWR loan and I told him how nice Mrs. O’Connell had been, but that she had said it couldn’t be done. He asked if I was in dire straits for money and I told him I was and he gave me Lea Bodiford’s number and said she was the unit’s family assistance and maybe she could get me in contact with some family assistance program. He said he’s get SGT Jackson on the phone and that he [MSG Cummings] didn’t care who had to come into their office to get this done. He stated that paperwork left on Moore’s desk while he took leave with this being so important was not acceptable. Statedt hat he had filed a complaint on SSG Moore and that he was calling SGT Jackson to get something done.

· 12:31PM: SGT Jackson called from his civilian cell phone (xxx) xxx-xxxx, listed as Paul Jackson. He said MSG Cummings had called and told him paperwork was still messed up and he didn’t care who he [Jackson] had to call, to fix it. SGT Jackson told me he had called the Armory at Warren and LT Hurst and SGT Grey and they told him that SSG Moore had not tried to call the Armory. SGT Jackson stated that when he last talked to Mrs. O’Connell, yesterday at 3PM, she said that they did not have to have the extension packet to submit the INCAP packets to payroll. He said that he was tired of everyone changing their story up there [Camp Robinson]. SGT Jackson explained again that he had asked SSG Moore numerous times for his assistance with information to go on the extension packet that he didn’t have and that SSG Moore would not and had not called him. He stated again that he had copies of all the email traffic with SSG Moore and that he had filed a complaint against Moore. SGT Jackson stated that he was going to call SSG Moore on a 3-way with MSG Cummings and get something accomplished. He stated that he was going to Camden Armory at the moment to drop something off and would check again to see if SSG Moore had attempted to contact him via email. He said he would keep me updated.

· 1:00PM: Called Lea Bodiford, she was off but gave me this info and said they may be able to help:

Operation Homefront/Family Assistance

Referred by: FAC

(xxx) xxx-xxxx

CC/Lea @ email address @us.army.mil

Send application to Andrea Rockefeller via mail, email or fax

Monday, July 28, 2008

· 10:00AM: Several emails have been sent by my wife today, refer to emails and response logs.

· 11:02AM: Called SSG Moore, no answer, 10 rings, no voicemail pick-up.

· 11:09AM: Called SGT Jackson’s gov’t cell number. I asked where we were with paperwork. He said the tax forms were sent to Little Rock and that SSG Moore was off until the 4^th of August. I asked if there was anything I could do, and he said that he guessed I could call Mrs. O’Connell, that she was probably doing the paperwork, that it was out of his hands and that he had sent them everything he could and it was up to them now.

· 11:11AM: Called Mrs. O’Connell, asked her where we stood on my paperwork. She asked me to hang on just a minute, she wasn’t really sure. She stated that she had my paperwork, and that she’d just tried to get CPT Lowery to sign the INCAP packets only to find out that she [Lowery] was in a meeting. I asked how long it would take after she had CPT Lowery sign them and she said she wasn’t sure, it just depended on how the paperwork went. I told her I had heard that SSG Moore was off on leave and she stated that yes, he had decided to take the week off. I asked about paperwork that SGT Jackson had sent and she said yes, she saw it when it came through this morning. I asked if she would call me when she found out anything, she said yes and asked for my home number again and I gave it to her. She repeated it back to me, I told her thank you and hung up.