Veteran Asserts Military Abuse and Neglect

A Letter from Thomas G. Calabrese

Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base deliberately jeopardized my health, safety and life and destroyed my federal career. This was done in retaliation for reporting abuses of military families in base housing, health and safety violations and breeches in security.

I am a former Marine, Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient who has been honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Navy and Army. I worked on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base for over fifteen years as a base housing inspector. When I has a relapse of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and became disabled, my attending physician recommended 30 days medical leave of absence from work. I requested medical leave without pay,

Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base denied my medical leave. Camp Pendleton disputed the diagnosis of my attending physician. Camp Pendleton refused to obtain a second medical opinion or contact my physician but instead allowed non-medical personnel on Camp Pendleton to render their own personal opinions about my health. I was threatened with disciplinary actions if I complied with my physician's instructions and left my work environment. Camp Pendleton insulted my integrity and defamed my character in order to discredit me. Camp Pendleton sought to provoke me in order to dismiss me for insubordination. I specifically told Camp Pendleton officials I was under medication and it was dangerous for me to stay at work. Camp Pendleton still refused me medical leave while arrogantly ignoring my pleas for help. Camp Pendleton refused to accept the seriousness of my medical condition. Camp Pendleton threatened my friends and tried to intimidate others on base to make false accusations against me. Camp Pendleton recorded personal conversations from my home in order to use my comments against me.

Camp Pendleton accused me of being a threat to the base. This accusation was made without any proof or evidence and contradicted my physician's statement that I posed no risk. Camp Pendleton deliberately falsified evidence to justify their actions against me. Camp Pendleton refused to properly process the EEO complaints I filed against various individuals on base for their personal attacks against me. They chose to protect the criminals and throw me away like a pile of garbage.

If Camp Pendleton can treat me this way they can treat any combat veteran this way, Vietnam, Iraq, whatever. It is beyond human comprehension that the Marine Corps would be so outwardly cruel and heartless when it comes to service-connected disabilities, especially considering how many Marines are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My physician said that in his entire career he has never seen an employer force an employee with a stress and anxiety disorder to stay in the workplace against physician's recommendations.

Camp Pendleton is GUILTY of violating federal law as clearly defined in federal disabilities laws. There is no legal justification for denying physician-requested medical leave. This is especially true in my case since Camp Pendleton knew I was receiving treatment and counseling from two physicians at the time I requested medical leave.

When I approached Camp Pendleton officials concerning their violations of the law and my rights, they dared me to do something about it. Camp Pendleton purposely endangered my life while disregarding the Rule of Law. Camp Pendleton discriminated against me because of my medical condition while using their positions in the federal bureaucracy to shield themselves from accountability for their ruthless actions.

Camp Pendleton must be held accountable. What happened to me MUST never happen to other veterans .Veterans should not be punished by our government for the injuries and illnesses they suffered while serving our country.

I have irrefutable evidence to substantiate my allegations including numerous letters from my physicians about Camp Pendleton's actions toward me. This is an act of betrayal and cowardice. Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base allowed unscrupulous individuals on base to maliciously attack me when I became ill. Camp Pendleton leadership stood by and did nothing when I asked for help. They put me in harm's way and watched me suffer. The actions of Camp Pendleton not only disgraced the traditions of honor, truth, duty and the Code of Conduct of the Marine Corps but insult every former and current veteran as well. The actions of Camp Pendleton sets a precedent that it is acceptable to victimize veterans.

My physician wrote the following statements about Camp Pendleton's behavior. "I consider Mr.Calabrese's employer's decision to deny him the medical leave recommended both inappropriate and irresponsible." He also wrote, "Mr. Calabrese should never have been put in a position to jeopardize his work performance and career."

If I were a convicted murderer on Death Row, prison officials would have shown more respect for the attending physician's recommendations than Camp Pendleton showed my doctor. Of course, I am only an honorably discharged veteran working on a military base.

All I am asking for is a fair and impartial investigation based on objective evidence and federal law. Is that too much to ask? The government should not be able to disregard federal laws and civil rights just because they can get away with it.

Thomas G. Calabrese