Found UNFIT on First Hearing

[careBear718]

Good afternoon everyone,

so I had an SA (suicide attempt) back in Feb 2023, and I (like a dumb@$$) disclosed this during my annual PHA with a provider (who is in my Platoon).... this started a whole boarding-me-out-of-the-Army-process, which I was surprised. Now, I've had a virtual hearing online (back in April 2025), and the "board" still found me UNfit. What can I do (or say) to prove to them that I will NOT be attempting SA ever, EVER again? (I mean, I was admitted to a psychiatric floor for about 2 weeks, and I'm telling you, I don't wish it upon anybody!) I went to therapy sessions at the VA, still seeing my pyshiatrist virtually (and for meds), currently on meds (Sertraline 100 mg & Vyanse 40 mg); I had submitted letters from my therapist, my psychiatrist, (even former therapist) saying that I've been compliant, and that they saw me for mental health. I also included letters from my buddies in my unit. This is SOO disheartening to STILL have to be found "unfit", as I really want to stay in the Army and my 20 years. The paralegal working with my JAG representative told me that 'the Army wanted to see what I would do to avoid repeating an attempt' (her words, not verbatim); and so I found an online therapist, who've I just started meeting up with, and I told her my situation, and she agreed to write me up a letter (after having seen her for at least 6 weeks). Any suggestions or advice on this, I'd GREATLY appreciate! I really want to stay in the Army, as I am the first (and only) member in my current family to have served (and proudly!). Thanks in advance....

 

[Provis]

Good afternoon everyone,

so I had an SA (suicide attempt) back in Feb 2023, and I (like a dumb@$$) disclosed this during my annual PHA with a provider (who is in my Platoon).... this started a whole boarding-me-out-of-the-Army-process, which I was surprised. Now, I've had a virtual hearing online (back in April 2025), and the "board" still found me UNfit. What can I do (or say) to prove to them that I will NOT be attempting SA ever, EVER again? (I mean, I was admitted to a psychiatric floor for about 2 weeks, and I'm telling you, I don't wish it upon anybody!) I went to therapy sessions at the VA, still seeing my pyshiatrist virtually (and for meds), currently on meds (Sertraline 100 mg & Vyanse 40 mg); I had submitted letters from my therapist, my psychiatrist, (even former therapist) saying that I've been compliant, and that they saw me for mental health. I also included letters from my buddies in my unit. This is SOO disheartening to STILL have to be found "unfit", as I really want to stay in the Army and my 20 years. The paralegal working with my JAG representative told me that 'the Army wanted to see what I would do to avoid repeating an attempt' (her words, not verbatim); and so I found an online therapist, who've I just started meeting up with, and I told her my situation, and she agreed to write me up a letter (after having seen her for at least 6 weeks). Any suggestions or advice on this, I'd GREATLY appreciate! I really want to stay in the Army, as I am the first (and only) member in my current family to have served (and proudly!). Thanks in advance....

What branch? Guard or Reserves? How long have you been in? How many points total? How many good years? Hard to give you a good answer without that information.

 

[careBear718]

What branch? Guard or Reserves? How long have you been in? How many points total? How many good years? Hard to give you a good answer without that information.

Good afternoon,

I've been in the Reserves for about 10 yrs now; have racked up about 1353 points in total, I'd say about 9-10 good years. I'm trying to get a 'Command Directed Behavioral Health Evaluation' in order to submit with my appeal (not sure why my JAG person hasn't suggested me to do this...).

So I'll be completely HONEST & OPEN with you....(is there anyway you can DM me?) thank you so much!

 

[Jason Perry]

careBear718:
Glad to have you here and I am sorry to hear about what you have faced both from the mental health side and from the DES side.

This is not to chide you or to avoid your questions; it is more a reminder to everyone that giving explicit information about your case is more likely to get a more detailed and helpful response. You responded to Provis that you are in the "Reserves," which is a somewhat helpful response, but he and I (and anyone else who might respond) don't know if you are in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps Reserve. While the branches are all required to operate under the DoD Instructions, the services have different rules that mainly impact procedural matters. With more information, you might get more detailed and helpful responses. (Check that- I see from your later responses that you are an Army Reservist).

My overall question is what level of the IDES/DES process you are at, and what are the initial findings? It is very important to know whether the PEB findings were that you should be retired, and if so, at what percentage. How many years of service do you have? What are the VA findings (if any)? This information would provide the needed context to give further input.

so I had an SA (suicide attempt) back in Feb 2023, and I (like a dumb@$$) disclosed this during my annual PHA with a provider (who is in my Platoon)...

This may or may not have been helpful for your ultimate disposition, but I tend to think it may be helpful.

Now, I've had a virtual hearing online (back in April 2025), and the "board" still found me UNfit.

This is what is confusing me the most. I am most interested in knowing the procedural posture of your case and what the findings were. I know you were found unfit, and the fact that you had a "virtual hearing" suggests you had a Formal PEB. But I am not sure about that and not knowing the procedural posture of your case makes it hard to give more input.

The paralegal working with my JAG representative told me that 'the Army wanted to see what I would do to avoid repeating an attempt' (her words, not verbatim); and so I found an online therapist, who've I just started meeting up with, and I told her my situation, and she agreed to write me up a letter (after having seen her for at least 6 weeks)

One comment here -- generally, paid medical opinions or forensic-type exams are not that helpful. If you are in the IDES (you likely should be), then your DBQs will provide much more helpful evidence.

I need to know where you are in the process, what the findings of the PEB (informal or formal) are, and any associated VA ratings, to provide any meaningful thoughts or comments.

 

[careBear718]

careBear718:

Glad to have you here and I am sorry to hear about what you have faced both from the mental health side and from the DES side.

This is not to chide you or to avoid your questions; it is more a reminder to everyone that giving explicit information about your case is more likely to get a more detailed and helpful response. You responded to Provis that you are in the "Reserves," which is a somewhat helpful response, but he and I (and anyone else who might respond) don't know if you are in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps Reserve. While the branches are all required to operate under the DoD Instructions, the services have different rules that mainly impact procedural matters. With more information, you might get more detailed and helpful responses. (Check that- I see from your later responses that you are an Army Reservist).

My overall question is what level of the IDES/DES process you are at, and what are the initial findings? It is very important to know whether the PEB findings were that you should be retired, and if so, at what percentage. How many years of service do you have? What are the VA findings (if any)? This information would provide the needed context to give further input.


This may or may not have been helpful for your ultimate disposition, but I tend to think it may be helpful.

This is what is confusing me the most. I am most interested in knowing the procedural posture of your case and what the findings were. I know you were found unfit, and the fact that you had a "virtual hearing" suggests you had a Formal PEB. But I am not sure about that and not knowing the procedural posture of your case makes it hard to give more input.

One comment here -- generally, paid medical opinions or forensic-type exams are not that helpful. If you are in the IDES (you likely should be), then your DBQs will provide much more helpful evidence.

I need to know where you are in the process, what the findings of the PEB (informal or formal) are, and any associated VA ratings, to provide any meaningful thoughts or comments.

Good morning Mr. Perry,

I'm currently in the Army Reserves, (have been for the past 10 years or so). I had a virtual Formal Hearing back in April 2025, and was still found to be UNfit, so I requested an appeal to the PEB's decision. I provided my providers' letters, stating I had improved (since first coming to them), and that I had been complying with my medication regimen; however since they are both VA providers, they could not specifically indicate that I was "fit for duty". I have no VA ratings, and am awaiting the PEB for what I'm guessing a second appeal hearing.

PS: I did find an email message I sent my former Assistant Chief Nurse, requesting to be put on a temporary behavioral health profile, about 4 months before the incident. I cannot find any other messages, if she did enter it in the system or not. Would this be of any help to my case (to show that I did seek help, but "fell through the cracks"?).

Thank you very much for your time and your responses, I really appreciate it.


Respectfully,

SSG B.