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