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

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

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.

I've personally had 2 positive outcomes with them.

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!

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

COL Paul Ciminelli - so much for the Army Values

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.

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