Nearly 700 members of the Minnesota National Guard will be deployed to West Africa next April to assist with Ebola prevention efforts.
According to a letter submitted to outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel by Minnesota Democratic U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison, Collin Peterson and other lawmakers, guard members will be working in “arduous conditions” but will receive only $5 a day in hardship compensation.
This is far below the extra compensation guard members may qualify for in other situations. Given the risks inherent in working in any epidemic-stricken region, we agree that Minnesota National Guard members helping to fight Ebola deserve higher pay for their work.