LGBTQ+ Military History & Veteran Advocacy (Part II)
Thursday, June 29, 2023
10:30AM - 12:00PM PDT
The Department of Defense offers a discharge upgrade process for veterans who believe their discharge was unjust or erroneous. A discharge upgrade can improve eligibility for VA benefits, remove barriers to employment, restore honor, and correct injustice or error.
Location: Online
Continuing Education: 1.5 (Applied through NASW Oregon)
Cost: Free to RVP Volunteers, Vet Center and VA Staff, and Partnering Clinics
$29 for Other Community Providers
Who Should Attend: This training is open to all RVP Volunteer Providers, social workers, mental health counselors, and community providers.
What You Will Learn:
The Department of Defense (DOD) provides a discharge upgrade process for veterans who believe their military discharge was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade. Veterans can apply to a Discharge Review Board (DRB) or Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMR), depending on the type of discharge and the length of time since the discharge. The DRBs are administrative bodies that review and upgrade discharge characterizations for veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The BCMR is a federal board that can correct errors or injustices in a broader range of military records and actions. Veterans must provide evidence demonstrating the error or injustice and request the correction or upgrade. This process alone can retraumatize a Veteran and cause additional anxiety. Therefore, it is essential to know the basics to provide LGBTQ+ Veterans with support and resources to support them during this process. In general, the BCMR is a more formal and complex process than the DRBs, and it involves a higher level of review and scrutiny of the veteran’s military records.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the purpose of the discharge upgrade process in correcting errors and injustices in military records for LGBTQ+ veterans.
- Identify the eligibility criteria for applying for a discharge upgrade, including the types of discharge and the length of time since the discharge, as they pertain to LGBTQ+ veterans.
- Differentiate between the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) and the Discharge Review Board (DRB) and their respective roles in the discharge upgrade process for LGBTQ+ veterans.
- Recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ veterans when submitting evidence for a discharge upgrade application and strategies for effectively communicating with the review board.
- Understand the potential benefits of a discharge upgrade for LGBTQ+ veterans, including improved eligibility for VA benefits, removal of barriers to employment, and restoration of honor and recognition for their service..
CE Faculty
Ian Michael is a Marine Corps Veteran and LGBTQ+ advocate based in Oregon. With a background in psychology and a passion for
supporting veterans, Ian has made it their mission to serve the LGBTQ+ veteran community through their work at the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. As the LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator & Special Advocate for the Appeals and Special Advocacy Division, Ian is dedicated to promoting inclusion and creating a more equitable and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ veterans.
In addition to their work at the ODVA, Ian is a certified suicide prevention gatekeeper trainer, certified peer support specialist, and Peer Support Specialist educator. They are also certified adult/veteran mental health first aid trainer and have made it their life’s work to promote mental health awareness and support among veterans and their families. With a deep commitment to service and a passion for helping others, Ian is a true asset to the veteran community and a shining example of the power of advocacy and community support.
Want to attend our trainings for free? Become an RVP Volunteer and gain access to free CE trainings and other great benefits! Learn more about volunteering >
Contact: Jennifer Keeling, RVP Health Network Volunteer and Engagement Manager .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
503-954-2259
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