Living with MST Brain Lewis

Brian enlisted in the Navy in 1997, attended initial training schools, and advanced to the rank of Fire Control Technician Third Class. During his tour on the USS Frank Cable (AS-40), a superior non-commissioned officer sexually assaulted him in August 2000. He was ordered by his command not to pursue a report of this crime with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. After this crime, Brian was misdiagnosed with a Personality Disorder by a Naval psychiatrist and discharged by his command in August 2001. He received a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs in June 2002 for his post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the military sexual trauma. Brian’s petition to change his discharge from a general discharge for a personality disorder to a medical retirement for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied by the Board for Correction of Naval Records in August 2004.

Brian holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Anne Arundel Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Stevenson University, and a Master of Science in Forensic Studies from Stevenson University in December 2013. His master’s thesis was written on military sexual trauma and nominated for publication in the Stevenson Forensics Journal.

Brian is currently a second year student at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota where he is pursuing a joint JD/MPA program and serves as Treasurer of the Mitchell Hamline Veterans Association.

He hopes to continue serving by litigating and continuing to advocate for veterans and military sexual trauma survivors.