SECRETARY OF THE AFIMY
WASHINGTON

NOV 30 2015

 

The Honorable Michael F. Bennet
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Bennet:

Thank you for your November 4, 2015 letter regarding Soldiers separated for
misconduct who were also diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

We strive to have a process that is fair, objective and deliberate, and that ensures due
process and the maintenance of good order and discipline within the ranks. The decision
to separate a Soldier from the Army for anyreason is not an easy one, which is why we
require a thorough review of the facts in each and every case. Nevertheless, I appreciate
the concerns you raised in your letter and take them very seriously.

Accordingly, I directed the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower Reserve
Affairs) to conduct a thorough, multidisciplinary review of the issues you raised. 1 have
directed her to lead a team of senior Army leaders, including The Inspector General of
the Army and The Auditor General of the Army, and to provide a final report of their
?ndings and recommendations. We will follow up with you upon conclusion of this
review. Additionally, we will continue to work closely with the Government
Accountability Of?ce, and we look forward to receiving its ?ndings and
recommendations.

The Army already has a process in place for reviewing the discharges of Soldiers
who were separated for misconduct, but who were also diagnosed with PTSD or In
accordance with 10 USC 1553(d) the Army Discharge Review Board expedites
the review of applicants who request a change in the characterization of their discharge
due to a diagnosis of PTSD or TBI. In these cases, a physician participates as a board
member, as required by the law.

Finally, know that the entire Senior Army Leadership, our commanders in the field,
and every Army leader are committed to ensuring Soldiers get the care they need. We are
working diligently to provide Soldiers the best medical treatment available while on
active duty, and to transition them seamlessly to the Department of Veterans Affairs for
treatment as they reenter civilian life. To this end, over the last ?ve years, we have taken

comprehensive actions to review and improve our behavioral health programs and
administrative procedures. For example:

1} We established a task force to conduct an extensive review of the Integrated
Disability Evaluation System as it affects the diagnosis and evaluation of
behavioral health conditions, implementing some 46 recommendations for
systemic improvements;

2) We established an immediate appeal process whereby a Soldier in the
administrative separation process who does not agree with his or her diagnosis can
receive, upon request, a second opinion;

3) We established 58 new behavioral health clinics embedded at the brigade level,
resulting in better access to care, reducing stigma, and an engendering an increase
in consultations from 900,000 in 2007 to over 2,000,000 in 2014; and

4) We have published extensive policies to guide the diagnosis and treatment of
Soldiers with PTSD and eatablished numerous avenues for care, including ll
intensive outpatient programs at those installations with the largest concentrations
of deploying combat units.

The Army is committed to the health and well-being of our Soldiers and to providing
appropriate due process should misconduct allegations occur. Thank you for bringing

these concerns to our attention, and for continuing to support our Soldiers and their
Families.

Sincerely,

 gt.er

Acting