Misconduct discharges increase sharply in Army

[unhappycamper]

http://theadvocate.com/home/6021196-125/misconduct-discharges-increase-sharply-in

Misconduct discharges increase sharply in Army
By The Associated Press
May 20, 2013

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The number of soldiers discharged from the Army for misconduct has risen to its highest rate in recent times, and some are wounded combat troops who have lost their medical care and other veterans benefits because of other-than-honorable discharges, according to an investigation by the Colorado Springs Gazette.

The newspaper reported Sunday that the investigation based on Army data found that annual misconduct discharges have increased more than 25 percent since 2009, mirroring the rise in wounded.

Among combat troops, the increase is even sharper.

Total discharges at the eight Army posts that house most of the service’s combat units have increased 67 percent since 2009.

[MADem]

1. "Force shaping."

This is a common tactic--rightly or wrongly--in a drawdown.

You will also see drug testing increasing, and consequences for failed tests become more severe; physical readiness standards will begin to be enforced--rigorously--and fat people and slow runners will be shown the door; promotions will be harder to come by; and this will continue until the service meets target attrition goals.

The mid-nineties saw the same drill to reduce numbers. It was painful and ugly back then, too--rules that had been ignored were suddenly enforced, and "zero tolerance" was the name of the game. Many people were handed their walking papers who didn't want to leave.

I would hope that some of the veterans' organizations, like VFW, are helping these individuals apply to upgrade their discharges so they will be eligible for services.

Peacetime armies are smaller.

[DCKit]

2. Key Point:

"...some are wounded combat troops who have lost their medical care and other veterans benefits..."

Actually heard that on the nooz this morning, and it's pissing me off.