E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

Media and Political Attacks on National Guard at Border ‘Inaccurate, False,' Says Texas Military
[Breitbart] After weeks of what appears to be politically motivated criticism, the Texas Military Department fired back with an official response to questions over pay issues, housing conditions, and suicide incidents.

“After multiple failed attempts to correct the record with these outlets, the Texas Military Department wants to set the record straight to ensure accurate reporting on this mission,” Colonel Rita Holton, Public Affairs Director for the Texas Military Department said in a written statement.

“It is clear that reporters have gleaned information from anonymous sources and unverified documents, which have then been skewed to push an agenda,” Col. Holton explained. “Allegations relate to the state’s mobilization, deployment, and operations in support of Operation Lone Star.”

The Texas military says the “nebulous charges” that members of the Texas National Guard are not paid are “inaccurate.” Col. Holton reports that “every service member assigned to Operation Lone Star is being paid.” She admits there were some administrative challenges in the rapid spin-up of Operation Lone Star.

Perhaps the biggest issue being exploited for what appears to be political purposes relates to the suicides of members of the Texas National Guard.

Texas military officials processed more than 900 hardship requests in connection to Operation Lone Star, the statement reports. Seventy-five percent of these requests have been approved.

Colonel Holton said the media narrative that the Texas Military Department is systematically or routinely denied hardship requests are “false reports.”

“In regards to four service member deaths, there has been misleading and false information pushed to the public without proper context, irrespective of family sensitivities and desires,” Col. Holton stated. “Two of the four service members mentioned by outlets were mobilized in support of Operation Lone Star.”

Holton said that while the investigations are still underway, “there is no evidence to support an assumption that their decisions were made as a direct result of hardship denials.”

“It would be irresponsible journalism at this point in time to tie these tragedies to Operation Lone Star,” Col. Holton said.

During calendar year 2021, the Texas Military Department experienced a total of nine suicides out of their 22,000 members.

Holton also addressed the issues of equipment, living conditions and COVID-19 protocols.

“There have been inaccurate reports and social media posts attempting to malign and undermine Texas Military Department efforts to support our service members along the border,” the colonel added. “Our personnel are trained to operate and adapt in austere environments at home and abroad. As with any mission, we continue to adjust as the situation evolves.”
Posted by: Skidmark 2022-01-27
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=623372