Leave Twice Revoked From Army National Guard, Hochul Presses For Answers

Press Release

Today, Representative Kathy Hochul (NY-26) with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) sent a letter to John McHugh, Secretary of the US Army, asking that he clarify the leave policy for Army National Guard (ARNG) soldiers currently deployed in certain Middle East operations. Families of ARNG members have told the Representatives that they have twice had Rest and Recuperation (R&R) leave offered to them during their most recent deployment only to be later told that R&R was no longer permitted.

"This has been a difficult situation for my constituents, and has put an emotional strain on our service members and their families. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I understand that the mission takes priority over a service member's leave time, but the inconsistency in this matter has created emotional and financial difficulties for our service members and their families. I hope that Secretary McHugh will provide an explanation to these families as well as a solution to this issue. Our service men and women and their families deserve better than this," Rep. Hochul said.

This issue originally came to Rep. Hochul's attention yesterday when a constituent currently serving in Kuwait wrote to ask her to contact the Secretary of the Army on this matter.

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