Army to review as many as 22,000 soldiers with "misconduct discharges" diagnosed with mental health problems. Who didn't see this coming?

2015-12-03T16:27:31-05:00

I'm happy this is happening as soon as it is. I hope something beneficial and productive comes of this for our veterans, and hopefully, lessons are learned to ensure better programs are put in place for transitioning our future veterans.

"The NPR, in October, reported that the Army, since 2009, has separated 22,000 soldiers for misconduct after they returned from Iraq or Afghanistan and had been diagnosed with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Murphy and 11 fellow senators called on the military to investigate the allegations in a Nov. 4 letter to senior Army leaders."

The Army will conduct a “thorough, multidisciplinary review” in response to a call from a group of 12 senators to investigate reports that the service discharged for misconduct as many as 22,000 soldiers who had been diagnosed with mental health problems.

“We strive to have a process that is fair, objective and deliberate, and that ensures due process and the maintenance of good order and discipline within the ranks,” Acting Army Secretary Eric K. Fanning wrote in a letter to Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. “The decision to separate a soldier from the Army for any reason is not an easy one, which is why we require a thorough review of the facts in each and every case. Nevertheless, I appreciate the concerns you raised in your letter and take them very seriously.”

To address those concerns, Fanning directed the assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs to “conduct a thorough, multidisciplinary review of the issues you raised,” Fanning wrote in the Nov. 30 letter.

The team tasked with the review will include the Army’s inspector general and auditor general, Fanning wrote.

The letter was released by Murphy’s office.

National Public Radio in October reported that the Army, since 2009, has separated 22,000 soldiers for misconduct after they returned from Iraq or Afghanistan and had been diagnosed with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

Murphy and 11 fellow senators called on the military to investigate the allegations in a Nov. 4 letter to senior Army leaders.

We are troubled by recent allegations that the U.S. Army is forcefully separating for misconduct service members diagnosed with PTSD or TBI,” they wrote. “We are concerned that it may be easier to discharge service members for minor misconduct — possibly related to mental health issues — than to evaluate them for conditions that may warrant a medical discharge.”

As a result, they said, many of these soldiers will not receive “crucial” retirement, health care and other benefits. These actions also may discourage other service members from seeking the medical help they need, the lawmakers said.

Murphy on Thursday released a statement saying he was “especially troubled” to learn of reports of the soldier separations, and he applauded the Army’s decision to conduct a review.

“I’m relieved that the U.S. Army is conducting a thorough investigation into what may have gone wrong and remain optimistic that they will fix their mistakes," he wrote.

In addition to the newly-directed review, the Army has in place a process to review discharges of soldiers who were separated for misconduct but who also were diagnosed with PTSD or TBI, Fanning wrote in his letter.

According to federal law, the Army Discharge Review Board expedites the review of applicants who request a change in the characterization of their discharge due to a diagnosis of PTSD or TBI, he wrote. In these cases, a physician participates as a board member, as required by the law, Fanning wrote.

The Army also has, over the last five years, put in place several steps to review and improve its behavioral health programs and administrative procedures, he said.

They include:

• Establishing a task force to conduct an extensive review of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System and implementing more than 45 recommendations to improve the system.

• Establishing an immediate appeal process where a soldier in the administrative separation process who does not agree with his or her diagnosis can receive, upon request, a second opinion.

• Establishing 58 new behavioral health clinics embedded at the brigade level. These clinics have resulted in an increase in consultations, from 900,000 in 2007 to more than two million in 2014.

• Publishing extensive policies to guide the diagnosis and treatment of soldiers with PTSD and establishing numerous avenues for care, including 11 intensive outpatient programs at Army installations with the highest number of deploying combat units.

“Know that the entire senior Army leadership, our commanders in the field, and every Army leader are committed to ensuring soldiers get the care they need,” Fanning wrote. “We are working diligently to provide soldiers the best medical treatment available while on active duty, and to transition them seamlessly to the Department of Veterans Affairs for treatment as they re-enter civilian life.”

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/12/03/army-launches-review-soldier-misconduct-discharges/76731238/

Army launches review of soldier misconduct discharges

Army is reviewing reports the service discharged for misconduct up to 22,000 soldiers diagnosed with mental health problems.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 3 at 2015 4:34 PM

2015-12-03T16:34:29-05:00

It is unfortunate that a possibility exists that these soldiers did not receive the appropriate treatment while in uniform and may have been forced out.
This is a difficult and emotionally charged area, and one often uncomfortable to even discuss objectively, or even understand by those not so impacted.
This is a good thing and will ultimately benefit the military and these former service members.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 3 at 2015 4:42 PM

2015-12-03T16:42:31-05:00

Soldiers with PTSD are not treated equally by their units.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 3 at 2015 4:49 PM

2015-12-03T16:49:53-05:00

I'm really torn on this because I can "logically" see how this happens.

If you have a soldier experiencing what can best be described as "symptoms" of these conditions, the Command is NOT the best suited to identifying the difference between a "Mental Health" issue, and a "Misconduct" issue. They just aren't. How is an E5-E8 supposed to know the difference between a soldier under his charge who is acting out because he saw something he can't cope with, and a soldier who just doesn't care? These are the folks making recommendations to Captains to Colonels about the fates of these guys.

I don't doubt there were cases of "political expedience" and just getting the folks off the books, but I find it far more likely that we had folks who weren't screened ended up seeing the door.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Dec 3 at 2015 5:38 PM

2015-12-03T17:38:40-05:00

Good follow up. Thanks for sharing. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/did-you-know-that-according-to-npr-the-army-kicked-out-22k-soldiers-for-misconduct-despite-mental-health-issues

Did you know that, according to NPR, the Army kicked out 22k soldiers for "misconduct" despite...

https://twitter.com/NPR/status/659475801138688001

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 3 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-12-03T19:03:23-05:00

I can see that throwing them out with a "Misconduct" is a Great/Horrible Cost Saving Measure for the Government, No Benefits, No Cost to the Government but it is definitely Disenguous. They served their Country and many were "Damaged" by what they saw and what they did and this caused them to act out in inappropirate ways. I am happy their cases are getting a second look.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Dec 3 at 2015 8:56 PM

2015-12-03T20:56:22-05:00

These guys should be re-evaluated and determined if they should have their status changed.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Dec 4 at 2015 4:26 PM

2015-12-04T16:26:28-05:00

Sp4 Byron Skinner. These Reviews are Bull Sh-- and everybody knows it. I'm of the opinion if only one legitimate case was found of a seriously injured soldier its worth it to let the 22,000 freeloaders pass. When you go to war when you come home you are different, be it physical or mental or both. This will last the rest of your life. A solder, sailor, airman or marine who has been in combat or even just near the action is no longer "civilian normal" and will never again be. The idea of coming out of the traumatic stress of combat and going back into the world and be there normal just won't happen. For those of you who have been near explosions but didn't suffer a surface wound you may have what is now referred to now as bTBI. This is a condition that is result of being exposed to the shock waves from a blast. I've been working with the VA for well over a decade on this and have finally found doctors that understand the biochemistry of this injury, it is real. It can cause several recognized mental problems as defined in DSM 5.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 6 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-04-06T14:37:37-04:00

The first time I re-deployed after OIF 1, I was anxious, had trouble sleeping, cranky, had funky dreams, and would continually freak out when I realized I didn't have my weapon on my person. And since I had no idea WTF was wrong with me, I'd lose more sleep and be even more grouchy and anxious on short rest. But my issues were mild and went away pretty quickly.

But it's a cycle that I've repeated after every subsequent deployment (four since then).

Here's my thinking: if I have a formation, and one Soldier is late, that's on them. If I have a formation and EVERYBODY is late, that's probably on me. 22,000 is a lot of malingering, and I'm more inclined to think that the DOD was doing folks dirty...they've got a worse track record for mistreating veterans than veterans have for abusing the system. Dioxin/Agent Orange? ; "There is no such thing as PTSD!", which was the official position of the Department of Defense until like 1983, if I recall; asbestos/mesothelioma? "Not our fault! They could've gotten than anywhere!".

After every long war, the DOD tries to cheap out of its commitments.