Tester praises bonus pay for troops serving longer than expected

Senator encourages all troops affected by ‘stop loss’ to apply for additional pay

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement in response to a decision by the Defense Department to give bonuses to U.S. troops who have been told to serve overseas longer than expected:

“American troops who had to stay on longer than expected put their lives on hold for the mission. You can’t put a price tag on that kind of sacrifice for our country, but hopefully this will show folks—and their families—that their extra service is much appreciated and will never be forgotten.  I encourage all qualified troops and veterans to apply for this special pay.”

The term for when U.S. troops continue to serve after their volunteer commitments expire is called “stop loss.”

The Defense Department today announced it will pay U.S. troops an additional $500 for every month of stop loss service between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2009.  Service members must provide documented proof they were affected by stop loss. 

Information on how to contact each of the services is listed below:
U.S. Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil or email RetroStopLossPay@CONUS.Army.Mil
U.S. Navy: NXAG_N132C@navy.mil (email)
U.S. Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss
U.S. Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss/

Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to fund this additional pay as part of the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act.