Posted on Oct 3, 2014
SPC David S.
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As I'm not sure as to the vetting process I was curious as to if dishonorable discharge service members are allowed on RP.
If so what do those who are not feel about this?
Posted in these groups: Roandco honor branding 01 1299 xxx q85 HonorMilitary men Discharge
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Responses: 16
CW2 Joseph Evans
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I left the service with an Other than honorable in lieu of Court Martial. A lapse in judgment does not eliminate the experiences and knowledge gained over the years. I understand that there may be some credibility issues, but as long as the advice provided is ethical, honest and above board, all should be allowed to pass on knowledge to the next generation.
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SGT Journeyman Plumber
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CW2 Joseph Evans, I'm completely with you but I do have one point to raise. Dishonorable discharges are only doled out for the most heinous offenses. We're talking rape and murder and the like. I get what you're saying and voted you up for it, but I draw the line at dishonorable discharges. These are people I do not want to associate with, and I have no shame or regret saying that.
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CW2 Joseph Evans
CW2 Joseph Evans
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http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/07/17/552861/--PFC-James-Burmeister-Receives-Six-Months-And-A-Bad-Conduct-Discharge# This was a whistleblowing case in conjunction with AWOL... Not exactly "Most Heinous".
However, I do recognize your concerns over murder, rape, and treason.
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SGT Journeyman Plumber
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CW2 Joseph Evans, two things...

1) Bad Conduct Discharge =/= Dishonorable Discharge.
2) One questionable (!) conviction does not dissuade me of my overall opinion.

PFC Burmeister, if his account is true, did the morally and ethically right thing by whistle blowing his leadership to higher authorities. That does not change the fact that he committed a crime by going AWOL. His punishment and character of discharge is fair IMO.

I would encourage you to look up the difference between a Bad Conduct Discharge and a Dishonorable Discharge. I'm getting the impression that you're mentally combining the two when they are two completely different beasts.
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CW2 Joseph Evans
CW2 Joseph Evans
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SGT (Join to see) Good call. It is late and I did make that mistake. And you are right, they are entirely different.
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Cpl Ehr Specialist
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I feel that RallyPoint is a place for Active Duty and Veterans to come together to collectively pool their knowledge for the better of all. What would be better than getting the point of view from veteran who has been dishonorably discharged. There is experience to be shared there, especially with the still active duty.

I say all Veterans regardless of status should be welcome, though I doubt a veteran of that status, would want to come here.
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Cpl Ehr Specialist
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That is unfortunate and something that we as a nation should hang our head regarding. Hopefully with the the highlighting of combat related issues coming out of the last decade some focus will be shifted in their direction. I have hope as PO1 (Join to see) mentions further down the list.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
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Cpl (Join to see) to some degree yes. I have no issue with for example, someone being discharged for fighting etc. I don't care to hear from a DD child molester though. Just sayin'
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SSG Maurice P.
SSG Maurice P.
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WE HAVE A WW2 VETERAN HE CAME TO ANGOLA IN 1948
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SSG Maurice P.
SSG Maurice P.
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to be honest i just know that he was a ww2 army combat vet with no real solid info he is housed on the other side of my camp at angola i only talked to him 2 times
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PO1 Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist
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Edited >1 y ago
Let me say this: I don't know what the rules are off the top of my head here on RP. However, there will be some individuals from the Viet Nam era who will very soon be eligible to upgrade their discharge status as a direct result of the SECDEF's direction recently. I don't know how many of these individuals that might be eligible to have their discharges upgraded - so I will pose the question: should we bar these individuals from a source of correct information sharing? Many Viet Nam era veterans share the same issues many of our current (Iraq and Afghanistan) veterans face - but they were unable to get anyone to recognize, much less treat them properly. These men/women have been dealing with PTS, drug, alcohol issues and temper and anger management just as we are today.

What say you RP?
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PO1 Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist
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MAJ Carl Ballinger I would normally agree with you. Based on the numbers and comments made by SECDEF the parameters for claiming PTS are being permitted quote "liberal consideration" unquote if they seek to correct their military records and provide some evidence of PTSD that existed at the time of their service. I have yet to see the exact wording of the result of the new directive but it is due out by the end of October. I do not anticipate that those convicted of treason, murder or such crimes to be in the mix - however there are possibilities that may be. I expect anyone with combat experience in Viet Nam to be able to upgrade most of the OTH & Generals (as you noted). I haven't been able to get any provable numbers on how many OTH's Generals or Dishonorables for that era as yet so time will tell.
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PO1 Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialist
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MAJ Carl Ballinger Agreed.
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