News

LGBTQ+ veterans who were separated from service solely due to their sexual orientation are also eligible to be considered for a discharge upgrade. This type of separation affected as many as 114,000 military members between World War II and the 2011 repeal of the U.S Military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. Unfortunately, due to … Continue reading “Discharge Upgrades and LGBTQ+ Veterans”

  Military Discharge Upgrades Click here to book your consultation now!   A Military Discharge Upgrade is important, and finding the right discharge upgrade lawyer for you is crucial when deciding to take this important step as discharge upgrade is something every service member has the right to have reviewed. When leaving the military, members … Continue reading “Discharge Upgrades”

Military Discharge Upgrade If you’re seeking a military discharge upgrade you need to make the proper arguments, to the proper review board, and provide supporting documentation.  A military discharge upgrade lawyer can craft this argument along with assisting the individual in gathering the supporting documentation to submit to the board. In order to have a … Continue reading “Discharge Upgrade Lawyer”

(Article 15 UCMJ (NJP) – Commander’s Handbook 2019) Article 15 UCMJ/ NJP Overview: In the realm of military discipline, Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) stands out as a crucial mechanism for maintaining order and discipline. Known as Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP), Article 15 allows commanders to address minor offenses committed by … Continue reading “Article 15 (NJP) Punishment”

Understanding Article 15 (NJP) is crucial for every service member in the military. Often associated with a sense of urgency, Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) allows commanders to discipline troops without a formal court-martial. This article provides a comprehensive look into what Article 15 (NJP) entails, the types of offenses it addresses, the rights afforded to service members, and the potential impact on military careers. Whether you’re facing an Article 15 (NJP) or simply seeking to understand this vital aspect of military law, this guide offers the insights and information necessary to navigate the complexities of nonjudicial punishments.

A strong GOMOR rebuttal may save your career. Learn how to address aGeneral Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR).

NJP – Character Statement & Budget Worksheet NJP (Article 15) – Tips for Protecting Your Finances (with a Budget Worksheet) and Reputation When accepting Nonjudicial Punishment (NJP) (Article 15), there are several steps you can take to mitigate the impact on your career and finances: Submit Character Statements: Gather character statements from colleagues, supervisors, or … Continue reading “NJP (Article 15) – Character Statement and Budget Worksheet”

The first step in requesting a discharge upgrade is to request your military record using form SF-180

As we unwind and enjoy the Labor Day weekend, it’s crucial for service members to remember the responsibilities that come with returning to duty. A urinalysis may be waiting when you get back, and a positive result can have serious consequences. In this blog post, we explore the essential steps you should take if you’re notified of a positive urinalysis or accused of any misconduct. From invoking your right to remain silent to consulting with an experienced military attorney, learn how to protect your rights and ensure the best possible outcome for your future.

Camp Lejeune Brig Visitation Video Camp Lejeune Brig Entrance (Photo by Cpl. Damany Coleman) How to Visit a Loved One at the Camp Lejeune Brig: A Step-by-Step Guide Visiting a loved one at the Camp Lejeune Brig can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the procedures. The process is not as straightforward … Continue reading “Camp-Lejeune-Brig-Visitation”

Military Discharge Upgrade Lawyer Services Assisting Veterans in Securing the Benefits They Deserve   Introduction A military discharge characterizes a service member’s release from active duty and significantly impacts their eligibility for veterans’ benefits, employment opportunities, and personal reputation. For veterans who believe their discharge status is unjust or inaccurate, pursuing a discharge upgrade can … Continue reading “Military Discharge Upgrade Lawyer Services”

Understanding the Army’s Qualitative Management Program (QMP) Reconsideration Process If you’ve been notified of separation under the Army’s QMP Board, it’s crucial to understand the reconsideration process, which offers an opportunity to challenge the QMP board’s decision. This article outlines the steps and criteria for submitting a reconsideration request, based on the guidelines provided in … Continue reading “Army QMP Reconsideration”

Understanding the Marine Corps Drug Testing Program (Urinalysis) A positive urinalysis can affect a Marine’s career quickly. Outcomes often depend on details most people do not consider until it is too late: why the test was ordered, whether collection procedures were followed, whether the chain of custody was properly documented, and what happens after the … Continue reading “Marine Corps Drug Testing”

U.S. Navy Sexual Harassment Process and Administrative Separation Requirements    The United States Navy has significantly updated its approach to preventing, reporting, investigating, and responding to sexual harassment. These changes reflect Congressional direction, Department of Defense policy, and Navy-specific instructions that emphasize accountability, victim protection, and due process. Sexual harassment is now a punishable offense … Continue reading “U.S. Navy Sexual Harassment and Administrative Separation Requirements”

Administrative Separation in the Marine Corps: What Marines Need to Know   Administrative separation, often called “adsep”, is one of the most common ways Marines leave the Corps before the end of their enlistment or career. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Unlike courts-martial or nonjudicial punishment, administrative separation is not a criminal … Continue reading “Marine Corps Administrative Separations”

How the Army Now Handles Sexual Harassment Cases Sexual harassment in the U.S. Army is no longer just an internal command or equal opportunity issue. In recent years, Congress and the Department of Defense have fundamentally changed how these cases are handled. Sexual harassment is now a criminal offense under the Uniform Code of Military … Continue reading “U.S. Army Sexual Harassment and Chapter Requirements”

What are the Discharge Characterizations in the U.S. Army? When a Soldier leaves active service, the Army assigns a characterization of service that appears on their DD214 and reflects the Soldier’s overall duty performance and conduct. For enlisted Soldiers, the primary Army authority is Army Regulation (AR) 635-200, Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations, which sets … Continue reading “Army Discharge Characterizations”

How the Marine Corps Handles Sexual Harassment Cases Sexual harassment in the U.S. Marine Corps is no longer treated solely as a command climate or Equal Opportunity issue, but as serious misconduct. Recent changes in federal law, Department of Defense policy, and Marine Corps guidance have transformed sexual harassment into a criminal offense under the … Continue reading “Marine Corps Sexual Harassment”

What are the Discharge Characterizations in the U.S. Marine Corps? When a Marine leaves service, the Marine Corps issues a characterization of service on the Marine’s DD214, reflecting their overall conduct and performance. The Marine Corps implements separation policy primarily through the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual (MCO 1900.16, MARCORSEPMAN), while DoDI 1332.14 provides … Continue reading “Marine Corps Discharge Characterizations”

U.S. Military Policy on Dietary Supplements Dietary supplements are common in military life for energy, muscle gain, weight loss, sleep, and general health. But supplements are regulated differently from drugs, and some products contain undeclared drug ingredients or prohibited substances that can trigger serious readiness and disciplinary consequences. In response, the Department of Defense adopted … Continue reading “Prohibited Supplements in the Military”

How an Army Urinalysis Works Army urinalysis tests follow strict rules to stop substitution, dilution, adulteration, and paperwork mistakes. Unit collection personnel control the testing environment, verify each Soldier’s identity, and protect every specimen from collection through shipment. The Army runs this process under AR 600-85, while the Department of Defense enforces the technical collection … Continue reading “Army Drug Testing (Urinalysis)”

How the Marine Corps Conducts a Urinalysis Test The Marine Corps conducts urinalysis testing through its Drug Demand Reduction Program (DDRP) to deter illegal drug use and the misuse of prescription medications. MARADMIN 614/22 directs commanders to establish and execute an aggressive urinalysis program that complies with testing requirements and holds Marines who abuse drugs … Continue reading “How the Marine Corps Conducts a Drug Test”

Jacksonville Military Lawyer   Jacksonville, North Carolina, is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, with more than 47,000 active-duty Marines in the surrounding area. The city grew rapidly after Camp Lejeune was established in 1941, creating strong and lasting ties to the U.S. Marine Corps and the … Continue reading “Jacksonville Military Lawyer”

Fayetteville Military Lawyer Fayetteville, North Carolina, sits at the center of one of the largest military communities in the world and is closely connected to Fort Bragg. The growth and character of the region have long been shaped by the presence of the U.S. Army. Thousands of active-duty service members and their families live and … Continue reading “Fayetteville Military Lawyer”

Officer Separations and Boards of Inquiry (BOI): What Marine Officers Need to Know  When the Marine Corps separates an officer, it uses a legal framework that differs from the enlisted administrative separation process. The central mechanism is the Board of Inquiry (BOI), a formal proceeding that determines whether an officer should remain in service or … Continue reading “Marine Officer Separations and Boards of Inquiry”

Separations and Boards of Inquiry (BOI) for Army Officers   When the Army initiates an involuntary separation for a commissioned or warrant officer, it uses a statutory framework that differs from the enlisted administrative separation system. The core mechanism is the Board of Inquiry (BOI), a formal hearing that determines whether an officer should remain … Continue reading “Separations and Board of Inquiry (BOI) for Army Officers”

Military Steroid Testing: Does the DoD Test for Steroids (and SARMs)?   Yes, the U.S. military can test for anabolic steroids. But the Department of Defense does not usually include steroids in the standard random urinalysis panel. Steroid testing most often happens through targeted testing when commanders or investigators have a specific reason to look … Continue reading “Does the Military Test for Steroids (and SARMs)?”

Article 112a (UCMJ): Overview of the Military’s Controlled Substance Offense Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) serves as the military’s primary criminal statute addressing controlled-substance misconduct. It prohibits the wrongful use, possession, manufacture, distribution, import/export, and introduction of controlled substances by service members. Because Article 112a directly implicates military readiness and … Continue reading “Article 112a: The Military’s Drug Charge”

Letters to an Army Promotion Board With Adverse Information   Communications with selection boards Officers whose records contain a filed GOMOR, a referred OER, or other adverse information may submit a written communication to a promotion selection board. The Army permits this correspondence, but it imposes strict requirements on timing, format, and permissible content. The … Continue reading “Letters to an Army Promotion Board With Adverse Information”

Jacksonville, FL Military Defense Lawyer (UCMJ) Court-Martial • Investigations • NJP • Administrative Separation • Discharge Upgrade Confidential Consultations Available (855) 826-5529 | military.defense.litigator@gmail.com Serving Jacksonville and worldwide service members If you’re facing a court-martial, investigation, NJP (Article 15 / Office Hours / Captain’s Mast), administrative separation, adverse action, or in need of a discharge upgrade … Continue reading “Jacksonville, Florida Military Lawyer”