The Army is taking a second look at the case of a Green Beret who was paralyzed in an accident last year and now faces the possibility of a discharge that could jeopardize his medical care, FoxNews.com has learned.
(FOX)- Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Brumit was paralyzed from the chest down after diving headfirst into shallow water in July 2015, attempting to rescue what he thought was a drowning girl. The Army has since determined his decision was reckless and negligent, citing his alcohol and drug use.
But after recent media and congressional attention on the case, the commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command asked Tuesday for a review of his case. In a memo, Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo urged U.S. Army Human Resources Command to “reconsider” the determination.
“[T]here are unknown factors that likely contributed to SFC Brumit’s momentary lapse in judgment that resulted in his life-long paralysis,” he wrote. “Based on the totality of the circumstances, a review of these unknown factors warrants reconsideration.”
The Afghanistan and Iraq veteran, who has served eight combat tours, has argued that the Army “failed” him as he struggled with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and substance abuse. After the July 2015 incident, he was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent and traces of cocaine in his system.