I am a combat veteran (Desert Storm). Returned with PTSD, began to have issues with drugs and alcohol to self medicate. Received Art 15?

2021-10-11T13:17:32-04:00

Lost rank & pay. Now have a 70% disability rating from VA, get compensation. I want my rank and pay back. Is this possible?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2021 2:18 PM

2021-10-11T14:18:14-04:00

You would have to submit to the Review/Corrections Board that your discharge, reduction in grade and everything with it was done/given in error. So, is it possible? Kind of. Is it likely? No. You got reduced in rank from an Article 15 due to drug use. Not sure how you could get everything given back to you. Especially after all this time.

Response by SGM Willie Sanderson made Oct 11 at 2021 5:09 PM

2021-10-11T17:09:37-04:00

There are procedures to follow, but short answer not many ever get the actions reversed. Proof would be very difficult to produce and word of mouth is not a good start point. Enjoy the compensation and live a productive and drug free life.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2021 10:57 PM

2021-10-11T22:57:12-04:00

You can request a review but unless they find the reduction and discharge were somehow in error, your odds are slim.

I never say “never” but I will wish you luck

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 12 at 2021 11:19 AM

2021-10-12T11:19:25-04:00

You want to reverse NJP results from 30 years ago? That’ll be tough but the biggest thing would be to prove that the NJP or the final decision wasn’t justified or required. Folks get nailed for booze and drug use in the modern day so I don’t know if you have a case. You can try it but you will have sn uphill battle absolving yourself of the events that happened

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Oct 13 at 2021 12:15 PM

2021-10-13T12:15:32-04:00

It's nice to want things but doesn't mean you'll get what you want...

As stated, you'd have to prove that the Art 15 and reduction were done in error and it sounds like it was valid due to drug use.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Oct 14 at 2021 1:13 PM

2021-10-14T13:13:27-04:00

Having read this post several times, I considered what to write.
I too am a Desert Storm vet. Here is the bottom line up front, drugs were, are and likely always will be against the regulations. You knew it, you violated it. You made a bad choice. Live with it.
Awesome that you are getting help with the PTSD, I am an school right now to be a PTSD Counselor. You are getting 70% from the VA after you got busted and separated from service for drug use. Count your blessings. It sounds like you want a reversal of the decision that put you out, a return of your rank and that would open all kinds of legal doors that you could assume that IF this then that, and what if I had done my 20 then you would owe me back pay for all the promotions I did not get ...Hammina, hammina, hammina.....
You used drugs, it was a bad call then, it is a bad call now. It was against the Regs, you knew it...you did not care and you did it anyway...live with the consequence of that bad decision. One of the first steps in you healing process is to realize not everything is someone else's fault.