Part 2: Marine Veteran Injured Fighting ISIS in Syria Says He Was ‘Betrayed’ by the Service

In part one of this series, to make his wrongs right, Sergeant Javier E. Ortiz reported the use of cannabis to his healthcare providers. Because a “cocktail” of prescription medications was not working, and worsening his quality of life and health, Ortiz made the regrettable decision to self-medicate with cannabis to fight the demons inside caused by the trauma of war.

As a result, Ortiz was “blind-sided” by administrative separation proceedings in February 2021. This occurred without a positive urinalysis, and only with a self-report. He does not believe his separation from the Marine Corps was “a just punishment.” He would have preferred to be disciplined by non-judicial punishment for what he considered a minor offense.

“While I would have lost rank, I would have stayed in the fight,” he told The Epoch Times. “All I wanted was a chance to make my wrongs right—and be a good Marine.”