Muslim soldier demoted, planning to sue the Army after hijab controversy

She got demoted for an inappropriate relationship downrange prior to all of the hoopla. THAT is what she got demoted for. I read the article prepared to be on her side (at least regarding the demotion) because of whistleblower protection / retribution rules. I was sure this was a result of her filing an EO complaint, even though the complaint was (appropriately, IMHO) unsubstantiated. Nope. She was acting inappropriately as an NCO (relationships) which put her on the radar. After she was already on the radar, she was deciding not to comply with regs and hiding behind her religion to try and get away with it. She got called out, so she cried "EO!" EO office laughed. So now, of course, it is lawsuit time.

SPC Valdovinos, be happy you are still a SPC. Based on what little I have read through the two stories on you, I would have pushed for admin reduction due to not being able to perform the duties of an NCO, THEN a field grade to take it ALL away.

FTA: "That was supposed to be ― at worst ― a letter of reprimand." Ummm... no. According to the article, the Article 15 was preceded by an investigation. Generally speaking, the Army doesn't do investigations for LoRs. Additionally, I have rarely seen LoRs for "inappropriate relationships." Usually it is either swept under the rug or field grade. Very little in between in my experience.

Good luck with your lawsuit. Also, good luck with your Army career. Both are going nowhere. And they are going there at an INCREDIBLE rate of speed. Also, good luck on your rapidly approaching civilian life. Your refusal to follow rules and sense of entitlement will not play well with civilian employers.

MSG (Join to see) Thanks for posting the update

She can't comply with Military uniform regulations then She needs to get out of the Army. There are no special exceptions for any religion nor should there be on dress codes for military units. She deserved to be demoted for not following the same regulation everyone else does. In civilian clothing, fine wear it but not in uniform ever ! Also when She enlisted and took an oath She as We all did among other things swore to obey the orders of the officers appointed over Me. She did NOT obey those orders.

The article title leads you to believe it was about the hijab...it isn't. Wait..the Army Times does belong to the Army right...WRONG...it is a private media outlet serving primarily the US Armed Forces audience which means it will publish stuff like this from time to time to get readers to buy the magazine. The demotion is over a inappropriate relationship...not the Hijab. Now the suit she is filing mat be over the way the NCO handled the HIJAB incident but from what I have read in other articles, he handled it appropriately. Good luck with that.