Discharged for Reporting the Truth
Posted by admin in 
Dear Friends of SWAN,
SWAN was flooded with responses to our call for stories related to unfair Personality Disorder diagnoses and Sexual Assault. As many of you know firsthand, survivors of military sexual violence often face multiple forms of retaliation after reporting their attacks, including improper mental health diagnoses that force them out of the military. Service members who are diagnosed with Personality Disorders not only face the certainty of being kicked out of the military, but also the denial of critical veterans benefits.
Unfortunately, the lack of Congressional and DoD attention to Personality Disorder diagnoses and discharges is all too familiar to many generations of veterans. We are proud to be cooperating with organizations like Vietnam Veterans of America, who know intimately about the effects of improper Personality Disorder diagnoses on combat veterans. Together, we can make a powerful case for systemic reform on this issue.
In other news, we are delighted to report that you have helped us raise over $2,250 toward our $25,000 Matching Campaign! Thank you to everyone who has donated or spread the word to their friends and loved ones. We are inspired by your enthusiasm and enormously thankful!
To learn more about our campaign, click here.
As someone who has been involved with the administrative separation system, I am fairly certain that separations for Ch 5-13 (Personality Disorder of AR 635-200 are way, way down (at least in the Army). Once Congress started noticing the trend of commanders using this to “backdoor” the system, they made it much more difficult to get a separation under this chapter. So, most use Ch 5-17 (other designated mental conditions) now. Supposedly 5-17 is less stigmatizing, since they can use it for conditions such as sleepwalking and enuresis.
Just wanted to encourage you guys to keep fighting the good fight. The Stars and Stripes reports this morning that Active Duty suicides broke a record for July. I would offer Question 21 on the SF 86 as part of problem (esp for those of us struggling with the aftereffects of MST). Thank you for what you are doing.