Brownwood PTSD, AWOL and The Bush Administration

AWOL soldier from Brownwood gets out of jail
By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
April 7, 2006
A young Brownwood soldier diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder was released from jail last week after serving time for being AWOL from Fort Hood for nine months.
U.S. Army Pfc. Jacob Hounshell, 20, was released from his 30-day sentence at the Bell County Jail five days early for good behavior. The Bell County Jail holds inmates from Fort Hood, where Hounshell returned after being released from jail Saturday.
Hounshell served for 14 months in Iraq and earned a commendation for arresting insurgents and finding makeshift bombs. Hounshell returned home to Brownwood battling depression - his family said he threatened to commit suicide. The Army diagnosed him with PTSD.
Hounshell was considered absent without leave from the Army for nine months. He returned to his unit in the 1st Cavalry Division on Feb. 9 because he had learned a federal warrant was about to be issued for him, and he was sentenced to jail time.
Larry Hounshell and his wife Bobbie visited their son each Saturday during Jacob's incarceration. The visits each lasted 20 minutes.
''It was really tough and I got upset about that,'' Larry Hounshell said. ''He risked his life for 14 months and served his country and there he was being confined in jail.''
Larry Hounshell said his son is now delivering food to troops who are training in the field. Jacob is anxious to return home, get back to work at military uniform manufacturer, and ''not to have to look over his shoulder,'' his father said.
Larry Hounshell said he expects the Army to grant Jacob a general discharge next week.Soldiers who receive a general discharge are eligible for Veterans Administration benefits, said Master Sgt. David Larsen, 1st Cavalry Division public affairs supervisor. However, soldiers with a general discharge are not eligible for GI Bill educational benefits, survivor/dependant educational assistance or civil service retirement credit.
Larsen would not comment on Jacob Hounshell's specific case, but explained a general discharge is given ''under honorable conditions if the military records are satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge.''Hounshell can request a review within 15 years of his discharge date and ask to have it upgraded to an honorable discharge.

Keeping track

June 2004: U.S. Army Pfc. Jacob Hounshell of Brownwood left the United States to serve first in Kuwait, and then in Iraq, for about one year
May 2005: Hounshell returns to Brownwood, but does not return to Fort Hood. He is considered AWOL.
Feb. 9: Hounshell turns himself in to officials at Fort Hood
March 8: Hounshell begins 30-day term in Bell County Jail
April 1: Hounshell released from jail five days early

source: http://reporternews.com/abil/nw_military/article/0,1874,ABIL_7960_4602871,00.html
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" I am quite certain there are going to be dissertations written about the mistakes of the Bush administration. "
U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice Saturday, April 1, 2006
source: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/04/01/uk.rice.straw/index.html
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Note From Steve:

Who do you think in the Bush Administration will serve jail time for their mistakes ?