Deserters Get Paychecks

The Army has had its share of troubles paying National Guard members in a timely fashion, but some reservists who never even bothered to answer the call to active duty have had no problem receiving their pay. The Government Accountability Office has confirmed that at least seven Army Reserve soldiers assigned to the 1004th Quartermaster Company in Greensburg, Pennsylvania received improper payments totaling $195,000 after they failed to report for duty. Another 68 soldiers -- 38 with the Army Guard and 30 with the Army Reserve -- continued to receive military pay totaling $684,000 even after they were charged with desertion.