The Army is cutting back legal help for soldiers fighting medical discharge

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https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-cuts-disability-representation/


The Army is cutting the Office of Soldiers' Counsel, whose attorneys help soldiers facing medical discharge. “They're doing it at the expense of some of the most vulnerable members of the military,” a lawyer said.

In early 2026, a National Guard soldier with over 15 years of service had his medication changed for a chronic condition. He received official notice that he was “unfit” for continued service and would have to appear before an Army Physical Evaluation Board — a step in the process before receiving a medical discharge.

The soldier, who asked his name not be used because his case is pending, had less than a week to respond.

“I’m like, ‘great, cool,’” the soldier remembers thinking. “I’m going to talk to the lawyer.”

The soldier tried his state judge advocate general (JAG) office, but was told, “we can’t do anything for you. We can’t represent you, that’s not our job,” he said.

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A little over a decade ago, the office had nearly 200 lawyers and paralegals. But staffing cuts have led the Army to scale back the office’s full set of legal services. Now, soldiers who face medical separation are no longer guaranteed lawyers who can help them with their case. Instead, they will have to represent themselves or pay for civilian lawyers out of pocket.