Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 4/7/2009

Question
My son showed up on our doorstep last night claiming to have been generally discharged from A school in florida for sleepwalking. My concern is that he said that they told him it would take months to be properly evaluated and that he would be let go no matter what due to sleepwalking. He told us that he signed a paper and they just let him go. He has no discharge papers with him and told us they would be sending them to him. All of this has taken place in less than a week. Should we be concerned that he is lying? or is it possible for it all to have happend so fast?

Answer
Ma'am:
I would be very suspicious. I'm assuming he's Army? If so he would have a DA form 31 at the very least, a leave form. If he's not Army, he should still have a leave form that shows that he is authorized to be there.  Second, I've never heard of anyone discharging someone for sleep walking, but that's not to say it can't happen.  In the Army, they generally give you a full medical checkup because if the issue manifests itself after they join, it could be attributable to military service.  They way they do this, and decide separations, is via a medical board.  Medical boards are used to determine a person's fitness for duty as well as their potential to serve further in the military.  This process is typically very slow, as doctors and paperwork in the Army are always further reviewed and asking for input. The upside is that if they do separate him from the military they also make a determination as to any compensation or additional benefits he should be entitled to.  If the military does view his condition as being caused by them, then it could entitle him to either a stipend for a certain amount of time and/or medical treatment related to his condition for free (at a military hospital).  As for the not having discharge papers, that is plausible but there is something fishy about just 'signing a paper' and being asked to leave.  Usually if something happens that quickly there is a disciplinary or other issue that prompted the discharge.
If, indeed, he was separated for disciplinary reasons it could affect any benefits he may be entitled to through the Veterans Affairs Administration. The larger problem could be if he is absent from his training without leave or authority.  It is a serious crime in the military and, after 30 days, will result in his being labelled a deserter.  That is a federal felony and will follow him for the rest of his life.  Please feel free to follow up questions with more details and I can give you a more specific response to your son's situation. Hope this helps in the meantime.