Stars and Stripes - Army extends more benefits to reservists on overseas tours as lawsuit over housing allowances continues stripes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stripes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By JOHN VANDIVER | STARS AND STRIPES Published: December 21, 2020 STUTTGART, Germany The Army will allow reservists to serve two-year overseas assignments and ship their household belongings, in hopes of easing the financial burden on soldiers who in some cases have been reprimanded, indebted and forced into litigation over benefit disputes with the service. “This significant policy adjustment eliminates the military entitlements inequity between unaccompanied active component and (reserve component) Soldiers by authorizing full household goods and shipment of privately owned vehicle,” the Army said in a memo outlining the shift. Extending tour lengths up to 24 months, rather than the typical one-year assignment, “ensures equity, provides greater entitlements to RC Soldiers, provides predictability for Soldiers, reduces administrative burden for commanders, and efficiently utilizes Army resources,” the memo stated.