After 3 years, thousands of Guard troops finally in line to get promised post-deployment pay

Guard troops wait for promised post-deployment pay

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Thousands of National Guard soldiers who served extra-long deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts were supposed to get paid time off when they came home three years ago.

Now, they may finally be about to get their money.

An Army spokesman said Wednesday that 6,800 Army National Guard soldiers are in line to receive checks. Among those still waiting are about 2,500 Minnesota National Guard soldiers who served the longest tour of any military unit in Iraq as part of the 2007 surge.

U.S. Rep. John Kline of Minnesota says he expects checks to go out by March 19.

The Pentagon’s fix comes after intense pressure from Congress and as Minnesota legislators considered appropriating state money to make up for the unpaid federal dollars.