Support Sgt Tope
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Sgt. Derek Tope served 3 front line combat tours, Ramadi 2006, Sadr City—2008-09, Kunar Province Afghanistan 2010. Deree was a combat medic and then changed to infantryman-medic qualified. He is a decorated soldier who has earned both combat infantry and expert medic badges, along with many other Army commendations with valor.
When he returned to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, after his 3rd tour, Derek sought medical and mental health treatment.
While dealing under extensive medication for medical and mental health issues, Derek also attempted to help 2 of his battle buddies, who were dealing with a legal issue. The battle buddies were discharged, but Derek ended up caught in the middle of their problem, along with is own over-medicating issue.
New commanders at Schofield Barracks (25th ID) decided to charge him with drug use and larceny (for one pair of night vision goggles that were returned).
Derek was sentenced to 2 years in a military brig, but was not demoted or discharged. He attempted suicide the day after he was incarcerated (which the brig identified as "failure to adapt to the brig".
Derek's platoon, 2-27 A-co - the wolfhounds, were charged with packing and returning all of his personal affects. Instead, they took his military gear, and returned a handful of items (personal pictures, year books... things no one else wanted).
A year into his sentance, Derek's family was finally able to push for PTSD and TBI evaluations. Nuerologists at Balboa Hospital determined that Derek has post-concussion syndrome from multiple, combat-related, concusions (TBI), and overlying PTSD from multiple deployments.
Derek is now in Ft. Sill. Commanders at 25th ID said he would be immediately dumped from the Army, but military and medical personnel at Ft. Sill are working hard to get Derek the evaluations and care he needs.
When he returned to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, after his 3rd tour, Derek sought medical and mental health treatment.
While dealing under extensive medication for medical and mental health issues, Derek also attempted to help 2 of his battle buddies, who were dealing with a legal issue. The battle buddies were discharged, but Derek ended up caught in the middle of their problem, along with is own over-medicating issue.
New commanders at Schofield Barracks (25th ID) decided to charge him with drug use and larceny (for one pair of night vision goggles that were returned).
Derek was sentenced to 2 years in a military brig, but was not demoted or discharged. He attempted suicide the day after he was incarcerated (which the brig identified as "failure to adapt to the brig".
Derek's platoon, 2-27 A-co - the wolfhounds, were charged with packing and returning all of his personal affects. Instead, they took his military gear, and returned a handful of items (personal pictures, year books... things no one else wanted).
A year into his sentance, Derek's family was finally able to push for PTSD and TBI evaluations. Nuerologists at Balboa Hospital determined that Derek has post-concussion syndrome from multiple, combat-related, concusions (TBI), and overlying PTSD from multiple deployments.
Derek is now in Ft. Sill. Commanders at 25th ID said he would be immediately dumped from the Army, but military and medical personnel at Ft. Sill are working hard to get Derek the evaluations and care he needs.
Organizer
Sharon Tope-Grassi
Organizer
Mesa, AZ
