As an example, it seems the CNMI 442nd ECHO Company lost four precious days of their terminal leave while awaiting transportation out of Texas after processing out. While they sat for four days waiting for a second rate, no frills charter plane, their counterparts from Guam and Hawaii left immediately from Texas on legacy carrier Continental Airlines to be whisked to their homes immediately and in style. Both groups of troops endured a long period of sacrifice for their country. Why are they treated differently when they muster out? Why the breakdown in logistics? The CNMI 442nd Echo Company should be given a four-day credit to their terminal leave and an apology would not be out of line either.
Another example harkens back to payroll issues during their joint training at Hunter-Ligget, California in July of 2008. Soldiers from both groups were in training prior to deployment to the Middle East. The Guam and Hawaii boys got paid in advance and regularly thereafter while the CNMI soldiers went for weeks without being paid at all causing many to have to fork out or borrow money to pay bills and buy food for their families back home. Why would there be this major discrepancy in the way these troops were treated? No wonder the sadness and fatigue of our CNMI boys clearly showed in their faces upon their arrival.
Soldiers expect hardship, it comes with the territory. But they also expect fairness. They expect, and rightfully so, to be treated equally and fairly along with the rest of the troops serving their country. This has not been the case with the 442nd ECHO Company. I feel that this practice of differential treatment should stop and not be an issue again in future deployments of our CNMI citizen soldiers.
Your inquiry into these matters would surely lift up the morale of our boys and would be greatly appreciated.
REP. STANLEY TUDELA
MCGINNIS TORRES
16th CNMI Legislature
