NO EARLY REFRAD FOR JOSHUA BURNSIDE
Give Joshua Burnside his Benefits and Keep him on ACTIVE DUTY
I joined the Army in 2002. During my 11 years of service, I have had many wonderful experiences. I am a trained combat engineer and have earned several awards. I have conducted myself in accordance with the Army values to which I adhere. In 2005 and 2006 I deployed to Iraq was responsible for running combat missions and patrols. In 2010 and 2011, I served as an OC/T on lanes task force. I aggressively trained over 3,500 Soldiers and Airmen prior to their deployment to combat zones in Iraq. I came to Ft. Stewart, Ga to be a Cadre member in August 2011. Shortly after arriving at the WTB(Warrior Transition Battalion) the job interaction, requirements, and treatment of the wounded warriors quickly took a toll on me. I was there with no friends, family, or outlets. As a result, I began to seek help and relief from alcohol. A decision I deeply regret. In September 2011, I made the poor decision to drive after drinking alcohol. It is true that I passed the field sobriety test and ultimately was not convicted of driving under the influence. However, driving after drinking alcohol ? regardless of the amount consumed ? is inexcusable. I sincerely apologize for this mistake. My punishment from my chain of command was early REFRAD which means that I would come off of active duty orders and return to my National Guard unit in Tennessee. The WTB Battalion received the memo to REFRAD (Release from Active Duty) me on Dec 13 2011, which meant I should be cleared and off active orders by December 19, 2011. The Battalion failed to give me this memo and held onto it for reasons unknown. Thus, I continued to work even on Christmas and Christmas Eve. I was unable to go home to Tennessee to see my family, something much needed. On the Eve of December 30, 2011, I was assaulted in Hinesville Georgia right outside of base. Alcohol was involved in the incident, but was not a factor. I was not the aggressor of this violent action which is indicated in the police report. I was severely beaten to almost death. A situation that no one could predict as a result of interacting with acquaintances. As a result of the assault, the injuries I endured are multiple facial fractures, skull fractures, back injuries and reinjured my knee along with loss of hearing, and loss of peripheral eye sight in one eye, along with severe PTSD, anxiety issues and several other health issues that I am continue to require treatment for. I was in the Trauma ICU unit in Savannah Ga for several weeks. I was not released from the hospital until January 31, 2012. Since then I have had facial reconstruction surgery, along with rehebalation for my balance and strength. The WTB chain of command requested to HRC (Human Resource Command) that they no longer wanted that Early REFRAD date. On February 3, 2012 HRC notified WTB that the request for revocation was denied that I should have been REFRAD on 19 December 2011. This meaning that I was without orders while I was in the hospital. Although I was receiving m
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