Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Kurt Schrader want a government review of how National Guard and Reserve soldiers are treated, compared with fellow soldiers on active duty.

April Baer reports on whether one Northwest base is giving citizen-soldiers short shrift.

Wyden and Schrader have collected a list of complaints from 180 returning Guard and Reserve troops processed through Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma.

Some said they didn’t get medical treatment they had coming. Others told of being forced off duty before they could get help.

Senator Wyden says he understands Guard solders are often in a hurry to get back to normal life.

Ron Wyden: "There’s always attention with respect to Guard members, and at same time getting treatment you deserve. But what was so troubling it just seemed from time they got there, our guard folks felt they were getting second class treatment."

An official with Madigan says the concerns are being taken seriously. Lieutenant General Charles Jacoby Jr, who oversees one of the units at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Olympia, has ordered an investigation. Details, though, could not be discussed.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh will meet with Wyden and Schrader Thursday to address some of the allegations.More info: http://wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=e3c9b2b4-c94f-4b02-a62e-bc353445e047