National Guard making progress on bonus pay

The Iowa Army National Guard is making “significant progress” in getting more than 700 soldiers the bonus pay they earned for serving longer than expected. Under the Department of Defense program, soldiers who were mobilized for more than 12 months after January 19, 2007, are eligible for additional pay, or respite leave.

The 133rd Infantry served for more than 22 months straight, including 16 months in Iraq. Thursday, the Iowa National Guard says 706 Iowa soldiers are eligible for respite leave. Of that 706, 473 soldiers are still serving. The National Guard says the paperwork for 463 of those soldiers has been sent to the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C. for approval. Of that amount, 317 soldiers have been paid.

The National Guard says 233 of the eligible 706 solider have left the Guard for various reasons including end of enlistment and retirement. The paperwork for 151 of those 233 soldiers has been sent to Washington D.C. Of that total, 70 people have received their money.

The Iowa National Guard says soldiers should contact their unit administrator if they have any questions or concern