The Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR). Always a difficult if not impossible route.

COL Paul Ciminelli — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:22:02 -0500

https://twitter.com/pciminelli/status/ [login to see] 80083968

See this recent article. We find this forum one of the most difficult to get consistent positive results except for minor record corrections. They seem incapable or unwilling to deal with the difficult issues.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 10:52 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:52:08 -0500

COL Paul Ciminelli Suggestions? As noted in the article, this is a long standing issue. Where do we go from here?

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Nov 12 at 2014 9:16 AM

SGM Robin Johnson — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:16:01 -0500

I agree this is a huge and troubling problem. I read the same article and have started a White House Petition to change the BCMR guidelines. Please click on the link and fill in the few blocks to sign the petition, then share the link as widely as possible, with instructions to others to click the link and fill in the blocks to sign the petition (people seem to think sharing the link signs the petition.) Hopefully this will prompt change. Thank you for helping our disenfranchised Veterans! https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/new-guidelines-board-correction-military-records-when-reviewing-personality-disorder-discharges-2001/n6NVh9hq

New guidelines for the Board for Correction of Military Records when reviewing personality...

The process of the Board for Correction of Military Records is unfair. The board has an average of 3 min, 45 sec / case. They rely on summaries and recommendations of analysts, only one of whom is a doctor (not a psychiatrist). Of 389 petitions to the BCMR 2001-2012 by Veterans discharged for Personality Disorder; Condition, Not Disability; or Misconduct, the BCMR granted change of characterization of service to 21, medical evaluation to 9,...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 9:21 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:21:06 -0500

COL Ciminelli, like all boards, it is not a permanent tribunal, but one where members are detailed. You get the same thing on physical disability boards. Very inconsistent.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Nov 12 at 2014 9:26 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:26:15 -0500

COL Paul Ciminelli - so much for the Army Values

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 12 at 2014 9:27 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 09:27:40 -0500

Who runs the BCMR? Is it civilians? Can we get a couple of old-school Sergeants Major and First Sergeants to take over?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 1:33 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:33:10 -0500

This timing is interesting as I just got a denial from the ABCMR for a case I brought forward. My case in a nutshell was simple, I was selected in Sep 2010 by a PVB for promotion to O-4, the results of which were announced in Jan 2011. I had a colleague of mine on the same board and he pinned with DOR of Jan 2011. My position that I was input for had a UMR change (through no fault of my own) and so we had to go back to HRC and show that the position still existed and it was just a diff para/lin number than before. That process took several months and when they accepted it, they didn't backdate my DOR to Jan, they made it Apr 2011. I simply asked that in the interest of fairness, that my DOR be backdated to Jan so that I was promoted with my peers on that board. They had a member of HRC contact me about it and HRC sent a letter to the board saying I was not unfairly impacted with a later DOR. I countered that and said I was impacted because I am trying to put in for the Mar 2015 PVB Board to O-5. My DOR of Apr will not allow for that. Their conclusion is that they did nothing wrong by promoting me later than my peers on the same board. They stated that they acknowledged I would be affected and not considered by the Mar 2015 PVB but that my promotion was still conducted according to regs and that there was "insufficient evidence to show that (I) was treated any differently than other officers who may also have been affected by similar UMR changes before the promotions were finalized." Basically, yeah you were negatively affected but it's possible (but unlikely) other people were also negatively affected so there is no error or injustice. What do you all think? Should I move forward with a congressional? Even if they backdate my promotion by three weeks I will be eligible for the Mar 2015 board. I don't want adverse action but I've always taught my folks to stand up for what's right, and this is one of those cases. :( Guidance appreciated!

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 12 at 2014 1:42 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:42:23 -0500

I've personally had 2 positive outcomes with them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 1:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 13:09:10 -0500

I am about to submit a BCMR packet, then submit it to the ADRB if the BCMR doesn't go well.

I would like someone who has experience with these boards to review my packet. My packet is about 90% complete, I just need to write my personal statement.

I would also welcome any senior legal advisers (JAG corps current/veteran) who would like to review it.

My goals are this:

1. To get fresh eyes and perspective on the issues and points.
2. To scrutinize my evidence contradicting the discharge.
3. To obtain new points/advice that I did not address.

So, if you are interested let me know.