In 1991, under the declaration of Desert Storm, my life forever changed. As an enlisted individual, I committed to serve my country, follow the chain of command, and protect our people and principles. However, during that time, I was on authorized leave to testify under subpoena in a civilian court. Regrettably, upon returning, all my possessions, both military and civilian, were stolen from my secured locker. I adhered to protocol and reported Art.139 Redress of Injuries to Property; however, I was deserted. The legal advice given was inadequate as I was just a 20 years old soldier and I was led into a Chapter 10 Administrative Discharge in lieu of Court Martial that forever scarred my record.
Our current Chapter 10 Administrative Discharge in lieu of Court Martial protocol is regrettably flawed, allowing for symptoms of more profound issues to be addressed superficially and leaving the root cause untreated. This practice limits the military services’ effectiveness and the bar for justice for our service members.
We request the Secretary of Defense to revise the directive on administrative discharges and eliminate discharges in lieu of Court Martial. Criminal charges should be handled in a manner aligned with the Uniform Code of Military Justice(UCMJ) and Manual for Courts Martial. This action will pave the way appropriately to address the root causes of the issues and not just their symptoms.
Now, after 33 years living with consequences based on misguided and manipulated decisions, I urge others to join me in sparking this much-needed change. Please sign this petition and demand fair and just treatment for all our service members.