“I was discharged with an Other than Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005. My faith had been broken so many times that it was hard to believe that I could receive an upgrade of my discharge, but it happened! I had two combat deployments to Iraq and was diagnosed with PTSD when I returned home. While we believe that we can handle the weight of the world, to include PTSD, TBI, anxiety and depression, this was not the case for me. After being discharged from the Marine Corps, I spent a few years on the streets as a homeless veteran. With the help of family and friends, I began a path to a better life though I still struggled with day to day activities. My bad paper discharge continued to haunt me. I did not feel complete and felt like a failure. One night while going through my closet, a folder fell out with photos from Iraq. As I sat in the closet looking at the photos, I had a simple prayer. God, what do I need to do to put my past to rest? The constant regret over the circumstances of my discharge and the regret that I would never be considered a veteran by the VA with my bad discharge haunted me. After speaking with my wife and gathering the courage to face my past, realizing that the process would be a roller coaster, I did research and found Ms. Ozbek. With hundreds of thoughts racing through my mind, I spent the next 45 minutes on the phone with her explaining the circumstances of my service and discharge. I cannot explain in words how much I appreciate Ms. Ozbek. She made the process easy and put me at ease when I had questions or concerns. She helped me upgrade my discharge to an Under Honorable Conditions discharge, which gives me access to VA services and treatment for my PTSD. I just received my veteran I.D. and I feel the weight of the world is off my shoulders. I am grateful that I am now considered a Veteran after serving my country for almost four years. I loved being a Marine and will always be a Marine in my heart.” Former Lance Corporal, USMC
It is an honor and privilege to help Veterans, especially Veterans who have deployed to combat zones, come home and then go on a downward spiral of self-destruction. This Veteran deployed to Iraq twice for a total of 400 days in a combat zone serving as a gunner and riding in dangerous convoys—risking his life each day. Veterans who have deployed, been discharged with a bad paper discharge due to mental health conditions including PTSD like this Veteran are in a worse position than those who have never served their country for even one day. They are now stigmatized by a DD Form 214 that forever brands them with the negative aspects of their discharge. I am grateful that this former Lance Corporal had a Board that examined his case carefully and did the right thing based upon all of the facts and circumstances of his case.
Sometimes bad things happen to great people especially in war. It is the responsibility of great leaders to take care of those who have answered their nation’s call to duty; to pick them up when they have fallen down and to allow them to feel proud again about the positive aspects of their service to their country both in combat and in garrison.
