133rd Not Getting Enough Money

By Justin Foss, Reporter

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By Justin Foss

Story Created: Oct 11, 2007 at 2:44 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 11, 2007 at 5:07 PM CST

We've all heard about the 133rd Iowa Army National Guard unit from Waterloo. That unit served the most time of any other group in Iraq.

But now it seems the government says they haven't served long enough.

When many of the soldiers in the 133rd signed up, they knew the government would help pay for college through the Montgomery GI Bill.

But they haven't seen that money.

Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley says it's because their orders say they didn't serve a long enough deployment of active duty.

The GI Bill only kicks in if soldiers serve 20 consecutive months on active duty, with orders reflecting 730 days in service.

If they serve less than that, they get reduced funding.

Some soldiers say their orders put them at 729 days, one day short. All this, despite serving the longest deployment of any national guard unit at more than 23 months.

Neither the soldiers nor the congressman know why the orders were written short.

"I don't know, I've called my VA representative a million times and she's like I don't know either. So that's part of the stress yeah," said Specialist Tiffany Cissel.

Congressman Braley sent a letter to the army concerning the problem.

Soldiers KCRG TV9 spoke with say they are getting about $660 dollars a month for school.

But with their service, they should be getting and extra $224 a month.

Next Article Cedar Falls Native Wounded in Afghan Explosion

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