Press Release
For Immediate Release
For more information: (910) 336-5966 or info@mwpa.army
Raleigh, NC | April 19, 2024 — On March 19, 2024, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Michael J. Forbes filed a Privacy Act lawsuit (#5:24-cv-00176-BO-RJ) in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (Western Division).
SFC Forbes is a Military whistleblower, protected by the Military Whistleblowers Protection Act (MWPA) of 1988, which has been gutted with the Congressional amendments of 2017. His suit alleges that he has been retaliated against and will soon be involuntarily separated from the US Army only a few months prior to eligibility for retirement because he exercised his right to ask for informed consent information for two unlawfully ordered Behavioral Health Assessments that he had the right to refuse. These violations are punitive and carry significant penalties.
“I filed my suit because I have no other options to contest my unlawful early separation from the Army, which is being driven by my Brigade Commander. I should not be thrown out for asking questions that I have the right to ask,” said SFC Forbes. “I am also concerned because what happened to me is happening throughout the military. I have proof of a growing move for the mandatory use of non-clinical Military Family Life Counselors, Chaplains, Physical Therapists, and the recruitment of family and friends of
Military Members to inform the Chain of Command of what they define as concerning behaviors, which is a belief in meritocracy vs. DEI. There aren’t appropriate protections to ensure that the privacy rights of troops are protected. But worse, when troops ask questions about the programs, it is built so that we get in trouble.”
NOTICE: This press release reflects the views of the author alone and does not represent the views of the US Army, Department of Defense or any component of the US government. More information is located at https://mwpa.army.