Defense Secretary Ash Carter has vowed to stop the Pentagon from trying to recoup millions of dollars in bonuses from National Guard veterans.

A recent report showed that the Pentagon was trying to get back bonus money that was paid to as many as 10,000 California National Guardsmen who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. 

But it's an issue that has apparently been going on for years. 

23ABC spoke to a local member of the National Guard, who says he's been afraid to speak out.

He spoke to 23ABC, but his identity was hidden. 

"This has been going on for longer than is being said. This actually started about four years ago," he said. "To be honest with you, it was like a slap in the face. Many of these soldiers have given up everything, many of them lost their jobs, lost their wives, lost their basic means. And many of them have PTSD."