Citizen Soldier Law Responds to Army Cuts to Legal Assistance for Guard and Reserve Soldiers Facing Medical Discharge
Jul 28 2026
WHEN:
Jul 28, 2026 at 10:00am
WHERE:
Lisagor Room
CONTACT INFO:
MORE INFO:
News Conference
This event is not sponsored or endorsed by The National Press Club. Inquiries should be directed to the contact above.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Military is Gutting Legal Representation for Injured Guard and Reserve
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — July 24, 2026 — On Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the National Press Club, Citizen Soldier Law will call attention to alarming reductions in advocacy for injured National Guard, Army Reserve and even active-duty military personnel navigating the Disability Evaluation System (DES).
Recent reporting has highlighted that the Army’s Office of Soldiers’ Counsel (OSC) has reduced the scope of legal services available to Soldiers facing medical discharge, including limitations on assistance during the Medical Evaluation Board stage and the loss of OSC services for many others. Particularly galling, OSC lawyers are no longer available for Guard and Reserve Soldiers as the Army JAG Corps website makes evident yet recent Iran War deaths and injuries have been to Reserve Component military (Appointment Scheduler - New Appointment).
With well over 100 years of combined military service, our staff has served in the OEF/OIF conflict when mobilized. These changes are especially concerning because the early stages of the DES can determine what medical conditions are documented. These cuts to lawyers and paralegals hurt the most vulnerable military members who are least able to afford private counsel for their disability retirement and health care.
“Doctors and lawyers admit that DES is a daunting process,” said Thomas Roughneen of Citizen Soldier Law. “If a Soldier does not understand the process, misses a deadline, fails to challenge an incomplete record or accepts findings that do not reflect the full scope of their injuries, the consequences can last a lifetime.” Two recent news stories have highlighted the concerns:
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-cuts-disability-representation/
https://www.military.com/army-cuts-free-legal-help-for-guard-and-reserve-soldiers-facing-medical-discharge
Upon request and with client consent, Citizen Soldier Law will make injured members available.
Media Contact:
Danielle Keens, Citizen Soldier Law 973-937-6010