Muslim Soldier: Army Has Not Addressed Harassment Complaints

May 18, 2010

Author: William Wan

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/17/AR2010051703820.html

Two months after a Muslim soldier complained to the Pentagon about being harassed after the Fort Hood shootings, Spec. Zachari Klawonn said the Army has not followed through on its promises to address problems at the country's largest military base.

Commanders at Fort Hood, Tex., moved Klawonn, 20, off base for his safety in March after a threatening note with religious slurs was left at his barracks door. But the military failed to provide him the standard stipend for off-post housing, Klawonn said. In recent weeks, he has had to take out two loans, borrow $300 from a nonprofit group and pawn his possessions to pay bills.

Klawonn said he has asked for the housing allowance repeatedly, making appeals up the chain of command. Last week, after a reporter asked Fort Hood officials about the housing allowance, Klawonn said his commanders told him he would begin receiving his stipend June 1.