United Airlines forced a US soldier returning from 21-month deployment to Afghanistan to fork over $200 for an overweight bag – which contained a Kevlar vest, two helmets and boots, according to a report.

National Guard 1st Lt. John Rader was about to board a flight from El Paso, Texas, on Monday night when he was told his duffel bag was too heavy to qualify under the airline’s free military baggage policy, Fox 7 reported.

“I was told point blank that I’d have to pay $200 for the overage or find another bag to siphon stuff off with,” Rader said. “Well, I didn’t have another bag so I was caught in a bind.”

The soldier said he wasn’t seeking sympathy – just empathy.

“There was none of that. It was just cold. I had to either pay or leave the bag,” said Rader, who paid the hefty fine.

A United spokesman said active military personnel are allowed to check five bags free as long as they are under 70 pounds.

“We are disappointed anytime a customer has an experience that doesn’t meet their expectations, and our customer care team is reaching out to this customer to issue a refund for his oversized bag as a gesture of goodwill,” the airline said in a statement.

“In the past airlines have been very flexible to soldiers, whether it’s upgrading us in our seating arrangements, helping us with numerous bags we travel with often,” Rader said.

“This is the first time and an isolated case in my history where it’s actually occurred. It became upsetting when all you want to do is get home and you have a $200 charge thrown on top,” he said.

Rader said he was pleased but still would like to see a long-term policy change.

Other airlines offer more lenient terms.

American allows up to five complimentary bags weighing up to 100 pounds. And Southwest says active military personnel are exempt from its two-piece baggage limit as long as all are under 100 pounds.

“As a civilian traveling, I would not fly United after this situation,” Rader added.

The airline has endured a spate of headline-making incidents, including the violent ejection of Dr. David Dao from an overbooked flight on April 9.