Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 3/11/2010

Question
My boyfriend has been told that he will be medical discharge in the army because of psychological problems, yet they will not discuss what is the finding of the 3 days of keeping him at the base hospital. As far as I know, he has been 'stressed' to a point where they prescribed antidepressants to him. He has been off them for about 5 months.However after the boss hearing rumors about him wanting to kill himself, thats why they kept him monitored for 3 days. And more medication now. But this is not true, he isn't stressed at the moment. They moved him to the the office depart.After 2 months, (Now) they are saying that 90% chance that he will be discharged, without telling him what is the cause. Does he have the right to discuss further about this discharge? Plus they are doing tests on him to see what suitable jobs there are for him. He is upset as he does not want to be a civilian, and absolutely clueless about what he wants to do. If he wishes to take a course in Uni, will the army support him through this? Thank you so much for your time. I am so sorry for any confusions as I am not in the army and I do not know the professional terms.

Answer
Ok. I assume your boyfriend is in the US Army and will answer accordingly. He is entitled to know both the results of his medical screenings and what the Army is going to do with him. If they are going to try and separate him from the service he will have to sign several pieces of paper acknowledging that he understands what they are trying to do with him.  His rights vary by both rank and time in service. I will assume he's a junior Soldier and that he's not been in very long. He could request a board to hear his case and try to stop them from kicking him out that way, but it is only a request and not a right if he hasnt been in over 6 years or attained E5 or higher.
As a Soldier in good standing he can take college classes on base and have the Tuition Assistance in the amount of 4,500 per year cover the costs. All he needs to do for education options is visit the base education center and they will give him the paperwork and explain everything to him.