Adams Story continues.........

I spent 14 days on the ward, at the psychiatry unit of the hospitol, where the doctors helped me stabilize myself, and we talked through some things I was going through. The doctor's working with me diagnosed me with Depression-NOS, and then placed me on medication to help balance my mood. I was also referred to radiology for x-rays for my back pain, and it was then found I had a fractured T-12 disc in my mid-spine, which was causing the pain. It was then decided that I could no longer soldier to military standards. So, I was referred for an EPTS Medical Discharge, and in accordance with blah blah blah. The doctors decided to put me out under an Exisiting Prior to Service Chapter, because I was depressed as a 14 year-old child, due to extreme family difficulties. It was my opinion that my current condition had nothing to do with my childhood, and I expressed that to the medical professionals. I made it just fine through Basic and AIT training without ever being depressed, and now these feelings were coming on after combat. However, they were adamant on putting me out under this chapter, and I would receive no benfits from the Army.
It is also looking like the Veterans Affairs may not be able to help me, and because I will be discharged prior to my ETS date; it looks as though I will be forfeiting my Montgomery G.I. Bill, as well. However, I allowed the case to be pushed forward, because I felt that by continuing my service in the Army, I would only be allowing my mental state to grow worse. It went to PEBLO, and they approved of the recomendation for my discharge, and conducted the medical portion of the packet. On 28 November 2003, when they completed the packet, they called me into pick it up, and I was given instructions to hand deliver it to my Company Commander, to which I did. PEBLO explained to me, that this was an "Expenditious Discharge". and I would be out of the military within 30 days. My packet sat on the Commander's desk for weeks, and then I found it shoved at the bottom of the pile, in my NCO's desk. I asked him why it was there; why it went down instead of going up,and I was told that it was none of my business. By this time, I had moved out of my maintenace position within the unit, and was doing Legal Actions. My supervisor, who had thw packet told me when I was done with all the chapter packets and legal discharges for the entire company, he would push mine through and allow me to get out, but not until.
My packet has floated all around this installation since I first picked it up. It has been lost four times, as of the time I write this, most recently on or around the 29th of January 2004, where it went to JAG for review and nobody knows where it is now. It is my understanding that I was suppose to be discharged expeditiously within 30 days, and now I am two months over-due. I have utilized every feasible channel of my chain of command for remedy of this situation, and either people are not willing to help,don't care, or have done all they can. I have spoken to my NCO's, my 1SG (who was very supportive), my Comapny XO, my Company Commander, Company Legal, Battalion Legal, Brigade Legal, Acting Battalion Commander, Hospitol Personnel, the employees of PEBLO to include the chief, JAG, Administrative Legal, Soldier Support Battalion, and finally IG. I am still here, nobody has any answers for me, and nothing seels to be happening with my case, other than it being lost or neglected.

I am disconcerted by this entire situation, sir. I joined the Army to better myself and to make a difference for my country. The only difference I have seen is a negative one, which is clearly evidenced by the many people of Iraq who have been interviewed. And I have certainly not bettered myself as a person. By joining the Army, I recieved Chronic Depression and a Fractured Disc in my spine. It doesn't seem as though the Army is willing to take responsibility for any of this, and I will eventually be kicked to the curb, with no benfits, no medical care, and no assistance with my mental state. And to top it off, it seems as though I won't even receive tuition assistance. So, as I reflect, I realize no positive difference has been made in my life, by serving my country. I will be leaving the military with less, and as less of a person than when I joined.

I have spent the last months being constantly ridiculed for being a "Psycho".
Most of my NCO support channel, save my 1SG does not seem to support me, and are treating me as though I am just another defunct soldier pending disciplinary discharge. I am chastised for going to medical appointments, because it takes me away from my job. Whenever I ask about the status of my packet I get told it's none of my business, I get cursed at, and yelled at.
And quite frankly sir, I feel cheated. I have given my country my all. I have been the best soldier I can be and now I feel as though I am being treated like trash, and being kicked to the curb.