Sprint/Nextel bogus military clause

I normally don't blast a company but I feel that some people may want to know this - especially people in the military.

I got called up to serve overseas so I wanted to cancel my #. Well, Nextel will shut off your phone for $5.95 a month and reserve the number for you. When you get back, you are forced to redo a 2yr contract. This doesn't work for me since I do not need this number when I come back. They said since I'm still under contract AND yes, even showing them my orders, that I would have to pay the early term fee ($250). I've confirmed this story with another soldier who has Sprint (who now owns Nextel or vice versa).

Now, I know some of you may say to get JAG involved and that'll be the end of it. Personally, I don't have time to fight for an hour over a dumb bill. I was a customer that paid on time for 3+ years and this is how they treat me. So now, I'm on the cheapest plan so I can say 'good riddens' in April.

As a sidenote, a fellow soldier here with me has Cingular.... they didn't even bother to ask him for his orders. He told them what was going on and they shut it off without any documentation to back it up. Needless to say, Sprint/Nextel won't receive my service when I return.