The New York Times on When Soldiers Go Without Paychecks:
Members of the National Guard and the various military reserves joined up to be part-time civilian soldiers, called up during domestic emergencies and in time of war. This model was coming to an end even before the war in Iraq. Stretched thin by the peacekeeping missions of the 1990's, the Pentagon was already calling up more part-timers and stationing them abroad for longer. But the invasion and occupation of Iraq have magnified the problem.
If the Defense Department wants the reservists to be full-time, long-term soldiers, it is especially important that it end the unfair practice of paying them late — or not at all — for months on end. A new report from the General Accounting Office blames a payroll system so primitive and error-prone that few people fully understand it. The system fails because the people who run it often do not know how to process active-duty pay for mobilized reservists. As a result, soldiers sometimes spend months waiting for the pay they have earned.
Mr. and Mrs. Warblogger, this is your cue. Do something about this and show me you truly do "Support the Troops." Up until now, I've heard nothing but talk. Remember, real support has nothing to do with hating the French or how many flags you use to decorate your house, car and body. Its about taking care of the men and women you've sent to do your bidding. To my knowledge, screaming "traitor" until your throat is raw hasn't gotten one reservist paid on time.
I've got a funny feeling that I'm going to continue to be disappointed. Ya'll are a miserable bunch of fake patriots.