Chambliss Introduces Legislation to Ensure “Sole Survivors” Who Leave Military Service Receive Full Separation Benefits

Under the Department of Defense’s “sole survivor” policy, service members who lose all their siblings in war are not allowed to return to a combat environment. The policy, portrayed in the film “Saving Private Ryan,” is intended to protect American families from losing all their children to war.  However, recent experience with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Hubbard brothers’ story in particular, demonstrates that the policy is flawed. Sole survivors who leave military service early under the policy have been asked to repay all or part of their enlistment bonuses and have also been denied access to the separation benefits veterans need when transitioning out of the military, including the Montgomery GI Bill, transitional veterans’ health care, and the Veterans Home Loan Guarantee Program.

“The Hubbard brothers’ story is extremely moving and it is a strong reminder of the tremendous personal sacrifices our military families make,” said Sen. Chambliss.  “When these families experience tragedy and loss, their situation should not be made more difficult as a result of poorly constructed policies and procedures.  Our legislation is greatly needed in order to ensure that sole survivors are not penalized when they separate from the military and that the benefits and pay to which they are entitled are consistent with personnel who are involuntarily separated under honorable conditions.”

“Today there are no standard benefits available to members of the Armed Forces who leave early under the ‘sole survivor’ policy. This is simply wrong,” Sen. Feinstein said. “These brave men and women have served their country honorably, and they’ve suffered great personal tragedies. To deny them separation benefits only adds insult to injury. Their country owes them more. This bill will ensure that they get the benefits that they are due.”

“Army Specialist Jason Hubbard served honorably in defense of our nation, and lost both of his brothers to war. His discharge from the military as a sole survivor should not disqualify him from receiving the transitional benefits others receive upon leaving the military,” said Rep. Nunes. “The Hubbard Act honors the sacrifice of families that have dedicated themselves to our nation through military service. Through passage of this legislation, we will ensure that sole survivors who return from war are treated with dignity.”

“Asking sole survivors to repay all or some of their enlistment bonus, as well as denying them access to military separation benefits, simply because they are a sole survivor is unthinkable,” said Rep. Costa.  “We need to treat all of the men and women serving this country with respect.  This legislation corrects this injustice, and allows sole survivors to qualify for many provisions that were previously denied to them.” 

THE HUBBARD BROTHERS’ STORY

In November 2004, Jared Hubbard, a Marine, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Six months later, his brothers, Nathan and Jason Hubbard, enlisted together in the Army to honor Jared and to serve their country.  Nathan and Jason Hubbard served in the same unit in Iraq. Last August, the brothers were returning from a scouting mission in two Blackhawk helicopters south of Kirkuk. The helicopter carrying Nathan crashed and he was killed. Jason Hubbard’s helicopter landed nearby, and he was ordered to help secure the crash site.

Jason was required to leave the combat theater because he had become a “sole survivor.” When he voluntarily separated from the Army under this policy, he was asked to pay back his enlistment bonus. He was also denied transitional health care and the GI Bill.  The Secretary of the Army personally intervened to resolve Jason Hubbard’s health care and bonus issues.  However, he is still not allowed access to the GI Bill unless he goes through the lengthy process of changing his discharge code.