Gazette reporter David Philipps discusses his investigative report on the soaring "other than honorable" discharge rates in the American military, which puts many soldiers at risk of losing important benefits. Philipps notes that the rate of "other than honorable" discharges has grown 25% since 2009. Many of these soldiers are discharged because of actions associated with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. "Other than honorable strips you of everything," Philipps explains. His report concludes that the military promotes these discharges in order to cut costs. While the military saves money, veterans lose important and much-deserved access to medical care, financial assistance, education, and rehabilitation programs.
Here is our initial evaluation of the series and a link to it.
This is an alarming trend that needs to be addressed. I hope the series continues to get national attention, so that lawmakers and the American public are spurred to action.