MN National Guard responds to vet's claims

MANKATO — The Minnesota National Guard is responding to claims made by a vet during a state observance of Veterans Day in Mankato.

In an article published Wednesday, Minnesota National Guard veteran Chad Nelson was quoted making claims the National Guard was preventing him from receiving disability insurance.

The claims were made at the official State of Minnesota Veterans Day event, hosted in Mankato for the first time ever. Nelson made his claims to various officials and media members in attendance at the event Tuesday.

The Minnesota National Guard sent the following email statement in response to Nelson’s claims:

“Chad Nelson served with the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Wheeled Vehicle Repairer from Aug. 22, 1989, to Feb. 12, 2004. He served with the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing as an Aerospace Maintenance Journeyman from Feb. 13, 2004, to Feb. 12, 2007. Mr. Nelson’s case has been reviewed by the Minnesota National Guard’s Inspector General’s Office and the IG investigation determined that at the time of his separation from the Guard, he did not meet the criteria for a medical retirement.

His case was also reviewed by the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, the highest level of administrative appeal to provide final Air Force decisions. The Minnesota National Guard was not entitled to the board’s decision; however, it is apparent they did not grant him a medical retirement. The Minnesota National Guard has responded to ten Congressional and Gubernatorial inquiries regarding Mr. Nelson’s demands for medical retirement.”

That statement is from Army Col. Kristen Augé, Minnesota National Guard’s director of strategic communications.

In an email sent to The Free Press, Nelson repeated his claim that he was wrongfully dismissed from the National Guard prior to a medical investigation of his injuries.

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