Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 3/12/2010

Question
Hello
I enlisted in the army in 1972,while in basic I was male sexually assaulted,
I went to the sick bay and to the DI and was told to keep quite about it.
after a suicide attempt I went AWOL and was caught back home ,the jailer  sent me to the county mental ward,had a brake down,and I was picked up there by the MPs and they were told to give me some medicine because of a severe trauma

I was taken to the base and put in general lock up and discharged without even knowing I was,just told to leave basically

I read where SOP for anyone picked up at a medical place while AWOL was to be taken to a Medical place on a base.

I also don,t understand how they can discharge a person without due process and one that was on mind altering drugs

I did not know about my discharge till last week when I applied for a copy of my dd-214,because I was told at the veterans that I was OTH discharged

Help please,I,m disabled and need some help,this thing stole my life.

Thanks

Answer
Unfortunately you're not going to like most of what I have to say. It will be very difficult for you to get help because of the time that has elapsed between your discharge and your decision to appeal it. You will need to appeal for an upgrade to your discharge with the VA and present evidence as to why it should be upgraded. The evidence you will need should be more than just your statement. You need dates, times, other witnesses, and such in order to make a compelling case that can be corroborated. Any and all records you have kept on your enlistment and subsequent discharge would be helpful. You can try to submit a FOIA request to the Army for the information but, as there were no computers back then, you may not have luck. I'm sorry I can't be more help but I do wish you the best and hope you get the help you seek.