Maj. Mathew Golsteyn will have to wait a little longer to appeal the Army’s decision to kick him out of the service.
“Some of the information is about operations in Afghanistan and is still classified, so people present in the proceeding whose presence is required will need the appropriate clearance to be in the room,” Aguilar wrote in an email to Army Times.
XXXXXXXX [What are clearances needed for? To discuss parts of the case? To clear certain people to testify?]
The Army alleges that believes Golsteyn, in a job interview with the CIA, admitted to killing an unarmed Afghan in Marjah, Afghanistan
in 2010. Golsteyn believed the man to be a known bomb maker, according to the Army’s account. An Army investigation into a violation of the rules of engagement, however, failed to find sufficient corroborating evidence to charge him with the crime.
The Army has punished him administratively, raising the ire of his supporters who say the Army’s case is biased and without evidence, despite a concerted effort. Army Secretary John McHughstripped Golsteyn of his Special Forces tab as well as his Silver Star, earned during the same tour of the alleged incident. The award had been approved for an upgrade to the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor among military valor awards.
The Army has also moved to involuntarily separate Golsteyn from the service. The board of three senior officers – selected by the commanding general of Human Resources Command – will listen to the soldier’s appeal. If the board determines Golsteyn should be separated, it would pass along a recommendation on the type of discharge to McHugh, who would have the final say.
A general discharge would strip Golsteyn of retirement benefits. An other-than-honorable discharge would also bar him from VA benefits.
Golsteyn is currently proceeding through a medical evaluation board, so losing disability benefits could be especially costly, Stackhouse said.
