Totally agree with Vortex on this one. These people are employed to process claims and administrate. Having to be nice to them is not an option in order to receive what is an entitlement. Admittedly no-one likes to be spoken to in a rude manner and it doesn't hurt to be polite but at the end of the day it is their job and it must be done.
A JNCO colleague of mine had a pay issue and went to see his PD clerk. The clerk assured him it would be sorted. Come next chit day and it hadn't been, the reason being that the correction hadn't hit Binnsworth before the pay run. Gunner accepted this and clerk promised it would be sorted, well it wasn't. Gunner spoke to SAC clerk who was very dismissive. Gunner then ordered him to complete the correction. Next month same problem, Gunner looked through out tray and found the paperwork untouched. It had been placed there because the clerk thought he would teach the Gunner a lesson. The Gunner stood the clerk up in Gen Office and charged him with disobeying an order.
You can imagine the row that followed from CHF Clerk to OC PSF and OC Admin at the heavy handed way in which the Gunner had behaved. He stuck to his guns and the clerk was found guilty and received jankers.
The Gunner is a good bloke and doesn't throw his weight about however, this time he had a genuine grievence and used the system. If any of us in the military deliberatley screwed our jobs up, have a think about what the results may be. We would be nailed for it. Clerks come under the same rules!
End of sermon according to me.