Comment on DOD-2009-OS-0090-DRAFT-0007

Regarding exclusion of retirees who retire prior to their mandatory retirement date. Retirees receive orders to retire from the United States Government and are members at the time they receive those orders. There is no exclusion specified nor intended. If an exlcusion was intended then the Congress would have set limits similar to the minimum disability for wounded (less than 30%). Therefore the exclusion for retirement prior to mandatory retirement is not in accordance with the mandate in the law. The law passed specifically states that "``(3) Temporary homeowner assistance for members of the armed forces permanently reassigned during specified mortgage risis.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Defense is authorized to acquire title to, hold, manage, and dispose of, or, in lieu thereof, to reimburse for certain losses upon private sale of, or foreclosure against, any property improved with a one- or two-family dwelling situated at or near a military base or installation, if the Secretary determines-- ``(A) that the owner is a member of the Armed Forces serving on permanent assignment; [[Page 123 STAT. 196]] ``(B) that the owner is permanently reassigned by order of the United States Government to a duty station or home port outside a 50-mile radius of the base or installation