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05-04-2005, 06:27 AM
Soldier Who Fought Assignment Discharged
Associated Press
April 29, 2005
POTSDAM, N.Y. - The Army honorably discharged a Reserve officer who had gone to court to challenge his assignment to Iraq, saying he had properly resigned more than a year earlier.
Carl A. Petitto, 32, dropped his lawsuit against the Army after securing his honorable discharge, which took effect Thursday.
"I feel like I have a new lease on life," said Petitto, who resigned as a first lieutenant to run two health-care centers in rural northern New York.
After serving 14 years of active and reservist duty for the Army and Navy, Petitto filed for resignation in February 2004.
His lawyer said the military failed to respond for nearly a year, then denied the application. He was to report for duty on March 24 and faced deployment to Iraq for at least a year and a half.
U.S. Army Reserve spokesman Steve Stromvall said when Petitto's first application for resignation was denied, he was told he could try again if he provided "more compelling reasons" for the Army to grant the request. Petitto did and the resignation was approved, Stromvall said.
In November, the Army canceled mobilization orders for a Hawaii man who had been called for duty in Iraq 13 years after being discharged from the Army Reserves. He was told the problem had been caused by "an internal computer discrepancy."
That same month a former Army captain won his case after challenging his assignment to Iraq. He challenged his assignment to Iraq, saying he had properly resigned after eight years of service.
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Link (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_discharge_042905,00.html?ESRC=army.nl)
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press
April 29, 2005
POTSDAM, N.Y. - The Army honorably discharged a Reserve officer who had gone to court to challenge his assignment to Iraq, saying he had properly resigned more than a year earlier.
Carl A. Petitto, 32, dropped his lawsuit against the Army after securing his honorable discharge, which took effect Thursday.
"I feel like I have a new lease on life," said Petitto, who resigned as a first lieutenant to run two health-care centers in rural northern New York.
After serving 14 years of active and reservist duty for the Army and Navy, Petitto filed for resignation in February 2004.
His lawyer said the military failed to respond for nearly a year, then denied the application. He was to report for duty on March 24 and faced deployment to Iraq for at least a year and a half.
U.S. Army Reserve spokesman Steve Stromvall said when Petitto's first application for resignation was denied, he was told he could try again if he provided "more compelling reasons" for the Army to grant the request. Petitto did and the resignation was approved, Stromvall said.
In November, the Army canceled mobilization orders for a Hawaii man who had been called for duty in Iraq 13 years after being discharged from the Army Reserves. He was told the problem had been caused by "an internal computer discrepancy."
That same month a former Army captain won his case after challenging his assignment to Iraq. He challenged his assignment to Iraq, saying he had properly resigned after eight years of service.
Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.
Link (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_discharge_042905,00.html?ESRC=army.nl)
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.