Defense secretary Ashton Carter calling the process unfair and saying its drags on too long. Facing National Outrage im bitter. Im angry. Reporter and fingerpointing. Another boneheaded decision by the department of defense. Reporter the defense secretary now taking action in response to thousands of California National guard members being asked to pay back bonuses they were promised. Ive ordered the suspension of all efforts to collect reimbursement from affected california guard members. Reporter during the height of the wars in iraq and afghanistan, the National Guard used bonuses to entice soldiers to reenlist. The problem started in 2010 when the military learned of criminal fraud. A California National guard official gave bonuses intended for highly skilled soldiers to others who did not qualify, and Service Members who did nothing wrong with paying for the mistake, people like susan haley asked to repay 15,000 plus interest. We already have exhausted our savings. Reporter purple