Hello,
I have been in the military 12 years total. 4 years as a Marine and on my 8th year in the Montana Army National Guard. On my 4th combat deployment (2nd to Iraq) I was diagnosed with Bi-polar Type I. Upon my unit demobing, I did not clear SRC because they seen the diagnoses in my records, so while the rest of my unit went home I ended up being put on a medical hold in WTB Ft Lewis. No one really wants to tell me a whole lot. I know I am going to be medically discharged. I have way to many if's though. One that I hear a lot of is bi-polar gets admin separated with no disability or benefits? Also have not been told anything about the whole process, only that I will be stuck here about a year. Do I have any chance of fighting the discharge or at least the admin sep? Yes I am on Lithium, Seroquel, and Bupropion and have been told my meds play a lot of it. I have looked up the regulations and tried finding other info on what will happen, there just is not alot out there, its all about PTSD. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r635_200.pdf that is the entire regulations book on discharges
You want to start at page 50 pay close attention to section 5-13 (pages 55-56) which speaks of discharge due to mental health. Do not worry whether Bipolar or PTSD the military looks at it all in the same light.
h. The service of a Soldier separated per this paragraph will be characterized as honorable unless an entry-level separation is required under chapter 3, section II
If they try to get you out on anything other than honorable fight! Bottom line on this is you have done your duty to your county. You would have kept doing your duty but some high ranking person decided that you shouldn't. You have every right to an honorable discharge and the benefits that go with it. Anyone tells you other wise, start with a letter to your congress man/woman and follow up with a letter to your hometown news station. If it is the one thing the military hates it is bad press, especially when the civilian laws and the military laws clash so badly.