WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today asked Air Force Secretary Michael Donley to restore 157 Air Force officers to active duty in order to restore their pensions earned over nearly 20 years of honorable service.  These officers were honorably released without pensions or benefits as a consequence of the Obama Administration’s Reduction in Forces Policy.

“These men and women served their country honorably, and I’m going to continue to do everything possible to make sure we keep the promises we made to them in good faith,” said Rehberg.  “As if the termination of their jobs and livelihood isn’t enough, some nameless bureaucracy has also denied them the retirement benefits they’ve already earned.  The Air Force should do the right thing, and if they won’t do it voluntarily, we’ll find a way to make them do it.”

Congress recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes an early retirement program allowing military servicemen and women to retire with a prorated pension.  However, for these 157 airmen, this reform comes too late and it is not retroactive.

Many of the 157 terminated officers served in combat missions.  They were terminated within a few years of retirement without the pension or medical benefits they were promised.  In a letter to Donley, Rehberg asks that the officers be restored to active duty to once again be eligible for the benefits they earned.

Rehberg’s full letter is below:

Dear Secretary Donley:

I’m writing to express my concerns regarding the Air Force’s recent decision to terminate the services of 157 officers.  All of these officers had less than 6 years left until retirement and were separated from active duty without pensions.  These men and women, many of whom recently returned from war, averaged close to 20 years of service to their country.  They should be allowed to retire with the full benefits that they were promised.

I understand that difficult budget decisions must be made in our fiscal environment, however cutting benefits that were promised to our service members is not the answer.  As you know, traditionally the Air Force has protected its career service military personnel by giving those with 6 years left until retirement the option to retire on time with full benefits.  Now is not the time to turn our backs on them after they’ve upheld their end of the bargain.  These men and women bravely put their lives on the line when America’s security demanded it.

As you may know Congress recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which reinstated an early retirement program that protects our service members.  While I am pleased that we were able to accomplish this goal, it does nothing for the 157 airmen who were recently relieved of their command.

We owe our servicemen and women a debt that can never be fully repaid.  Their sacrifices are too great to be measured in medals of valor or words of gratitude.  We must show our appreciation in our deeds and honor their service by keeping the commitments we made to them.

Please make every effort to return all 157 officers back to active duty in order that they get the benefits owed them.  Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don’t hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,