HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEB FORUM!! (17 years and going strong)!!

Jason Perry

Jason Perry

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Seventeen years ago today, I opened the PEB FORUM.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

If you don't know the backstory, I was serving as the Chief, Soldier's Counsel at the Ft. Sam Houston Formal PEB board. I was in my terminal assignment, having submitted my resignation about a year before (that's another story....my packet kept on getting "lost").

I was Chief of an office that varied in strength between one Lawyer (Me) or up to three, depending on manning. In those days, we were the only assigned counsel available, and I was handling a huge caseload. But, the challenges aside, I had the advantage of seeing ALL of the cases that came through the FPEB. At that time, we would contact Soldiers 14-10 days before their hearing and then fly them in for 3 days. Day 1, check-in and interview/prep the Soldier. Day 2 conduct the Formal PEB hearing. Day 3, validate orders and they flew back out. That was it.

I noticed a pattern. The cases seemed to fall into about thirds- one third were clear winners, one third were clear losers, and one third were winnable but could do either way. What was very frustrating to me was that with advance counseling and assistance, we could winnow down the cases and help get much better results. Two weeks is not enough time to prep a case.

So, I went to the Staff Judge Advocate and made this argument:
"Ma'am, we can really increase our services and good outcomes if we reach out earlier. I explained the case breakdowns by thirds and said, "We can tell the clear losing cases that there is no chance they can win or get a better outcome (either because they have already maxed out their compensation, or their disability cannot qualify for a higher rating). We can quickly dispose of the "clear winner's" cases by getting evidence before the board before they fly in. With additional evidence, these cases should be clear winners- but sometimes, they fly here without knowing what they need and we don't have time to gather the evidence. And, for the other third, of winnable cases, it is a similar situation. The Solidiers and sometimes their commanders or medical providers do not know what the issues are and they have not provided information that would help win their case But, often, the first time we learn of the "issues" are on that first day when they fly in and by then, it is very hard to gather the additional evidence. I think we can do better, and I suggest we do early outreach. Maybe set up a web based forum or community to share information and educate the Soldiers early in the process so we can be much more efficient and get better outcomes. WHat do you think? Can I set up a website or some early outreach?"

She said, more or less, "Captain, that's a dumb idea. There's no budget for that and no authorization for it. I am not going down that road."

I saluted, about-faced, and vowed to set up a site to help Soldiers (but then quickly, after reviewing the other branches' regulations and realizing how similar they were, I decided to include all branches). My separation orders came through shortly thereafter, and I bought the URL and the software to set this up and started working.
Took me about a month and a half to set up the first version of this site and we went "live" seventeen years ago.

I have been privileged to have information and input that I could share. It seemed to me the right thing to do and my obligation as a leader. I am grateful for all the words I have heard over the years, telling me that this forum made a difference in some Sailors', Airmen's, Soldiers', Marines', or Coasties' cases.

But, the glue has always been the members and the moderators who share their experiences and input. Many folks have contributed, sometimes years at a time, and then they move on. If any thanks are given, please give them to Chaplain Charlie, Provis, Ron G, JMATTK, oddpedestrian, and probably dozens of folks over the years who have contributed. (There are dozens of folks who I didn't list, but have helped others along the way. Their contributions are greatly appreciated, too!)

It's been a great experience, and I thank you all for your service. On to the next 17 years!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEB FORUM!!!
 
Thank you for helping so many military members. I strongly reject DoD’s position that last minute counsel is adequate representation.
 
Hello @Jason Perry ,

Thank you for helping thousands of veterans by continuing to fund and operate this forum. Additionally, your expert advise has been invaluable.

Ron
 
Thank you for creating this forum! It’s a game changer for sure! This gives everyone who is going through a MEB/PEB a platform to ask questions and seek guidance! I’m very grateful for this forum!
 
Jason Perry said:
1000w_q95.jpg


Seventeen years ago today, I opened the PEB FORUM.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

If you don't know the backstory, I was serving as the Chief, Soldier's Counsel at the Ft. Sam Houston Formal PEB board. I was in my terminal assignment, having submitted my resignation about a year before (that's another story....my packet kept on getting "lost").

I was Chief of an office that varied in strength between one Lawyer (Me) or up to three, depending on manning. In those days, we were the only assigned counsel available, and I was handling a huge caseload. But, the challenges aside, I had the advantage of seeing ALL of the cases that came through the FPEB. At that time, we would contact Soldiers 14-10 days before their hearing and then fly them in for 3 days. Day 1, check-in and interview/prep the Soldier. Day 2 conduct the Formal PEB hearing. Day 3, validate orders and they flew back out. That was it.

I noticed a pattern. The cases seemed to fall into about thirds- one third were clear winners, one third were clear losers, and one third were winnable but could do either way. What was very frustrating to me was that with advance counseling and assistance, we could winnow down the cases and help get much better results. Two weeks is not enough time to prep a case.

So, I went to the Staff Judge Advocate and made this argument:
"Ma'am, we can really increase our services and good outcomes if we reach out earlier. I explained the case breakdowns by thirds and said, "We can tell the clear losing cases that there is no chance they can win or get a better outcome (either because they have already maxed out their compensation, or their disability cannot qualify for a higher rating). We can quickly dispose of the "clear winner's" cases by getting evidence before the board before they fly in. With additional evidence, these cases should be clear winners- but sometimes, they fly here without knowing what they need and we don't have time to gather the evidence. And, for the other third, of winnable cases, it is a similar situation. The Solidiers and sometimes their commanders or medical providers do not know what the issues are and they have not provided information that would help win their case But, often, the first time we learn of the "issues" are on that first day when they fly in and by then, it is very hard to gather the additional evidence. I think we can do better, and I suggest we do early outreach. Maybe set up a web based forum or community to share information and educate the Soldiers early in the process so we can be much more efficient and get better outcomes. WHat do you think? Can I set up a website or some early outreach?"

She said, more or less, "Captain, that's a dumb idea. There's no budget for that and no authorization for it. I am not going down that road."

I saluted, about-faced, and vowed to set up a site to help Soldiers (but then quickly, after reviewing the other branches' regulations and realizing how similar they were, I decided to include all branches). My separation orders came through shortly thereafter, and I bought the URL and the software to set this up and started working.
Took me about a month and a half to set up the first version of this site and we went "live" seventeen years ago.

I have been privileged to have information and input that I could share. It seemed to me the right thing to do and my obligation as a leader. I am grateful for all the words I have heard over the years, telling me that this forum made a difference in some Sailors', Airmen's, Soldiers', Marines', or Coasties' cases.

But, the glue has always been the members and the moderators who share their experiences and input. Many folks have contributed, sometimes years at a time, and then they move on. If any thanks are given, please give them to Chaplain Charlie, Provis, Ron G, JMATTK, oddpedestrian, and probably dozens of folks over the years who have contributed. (There are dozens of folks who I didn't list, but have helped others along the way. Their contributions are greatly appreciated, too!)

It's been a great experience, and I thank you all for your service. On to the next 17 years!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEB FORUM!!!
Click to expand...
This forum has been the MOST INFORMATIVE and HELPFUL set of information COMPARED to my PEBLO and MSC.

Thank you guys for all the information and assistance to your fellow Service Members!!!!
 
Always love May 15th as that was the day I enlisted back in 1982, so a very good day indeed for servicemembers and now veterans across the board with you starting this page. I was a PEBLO from 2006-2013 and wish I had dug into your page more back then than I did. I did keep a very good relationship with DC-PEB's OSC, especially Duke who I am 99% sure you know who I'm talking about. Still am friends with him nearly 20 years later. In those early days (pre-IDES) that I learned what OSC really meant for those going though APDES. Thanks, Jason, for all you've done and continue to do! Knowing what I do is why I have that nice red tag under my profile pic :)
 
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