13

Jan

The Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB): The DoD’s New, Final Appeal

On April 7, 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a new board of appeals for service members who were discharged from the military on or after December 20, 2019. The Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB) will provide final review of discharge or dismissal characterizatio...

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13

Jan

“Soldiers Last” – Understanding the Army’s Qualitative Management Program (QMP)

The Army’s Qualitative Management Program (QMP) is a powerful force-shaping tool used to deny continued service to NCOs in the rank of SSG through CSM/SGM. While the QMP may be the single greatest threat to an Army NCO’s military career, most Soldiers know little about the proces...

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13

Jan

Adsep Board Finds “No Basis” After Positive Urinalysis

MJA is proud to announce a recent victory on behalf of our client, a Corpsman in the United States Navy. The Corpsman was notified of nonjudicial punishment for allegedly violating Article 112a after failing a urinalysis. The Corpsman refused NJP and demanded trial by court-marti...

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Category: Battles Won


13

Jan

Administrative Demotions: The Air Force’s Dirty Little Secret

There are few things more demoralizing to a service member than an involuntary administrative demotion. Administrative demotions are intended to be a force management tool to help commanders ensure a quality enlisted force and place service members at a rank commensurate with the...

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13

Jan

Can Service Members be Required to Take a COVID-19 Vaccine?

With the COVID-19 vaccination now here, the Department of Defense has begun distributing the vaccine to military installations worldwide. But some military service members may still be skeptical about taking the vaccine due to concerns about its safety or effectiveness. These con...

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Category: Courts-Martial


13

Jan

GOMORs: The Army’s Career-Killing Reprimand

General Officer Memorandums of Reprimand (GOMORs) are among the most abused mechanisms in the Army’s reprimand process and, once filed, can have devastating consequences on a service member’s military career. If you have received a GOMOR or other adverse written reprimand, contac...

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13

Jan

DNA Expungement: What You Need to Know

DoD policy requires that DNA samples be taken from service members, civilians, and contractors who are suspected of committing certain criminal offenses. These samples are forwarded to the United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) which serves as the DoD’s Com...

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13

Jan

Full Acquittal for Soldier Charged with Violating Article 120b, UCMJ

MJA is proud to announce a recent victory on behalf of our client, a Specialist in the United States Army. The client was charged at general court-martial with violating Article 120b (sexual abuse of a child) for allegedly committing a lewd act in the presence of a teenager. He w...

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Category: Battles Won


13

Jan

Presidential Pardon: The Last Line of Defense

The Last Line of Defense for Service Members Convicted of a Military CrimeThe presidential pardon is the last line of defense for service members convicted at general or special court-martial. After all legal appeals are final, only the presidential pardon can provide a convicted...

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13

Jan

Understanding Article 83, UCMJ – Malingering

Defending Service Members Charged with Malingering“Malingering” is the criminal offense of feigning mental or physical illness, or intentionally hurting oneself, in order to avoid military duties. While this military-specific offense may sound archaic, malingering is still prosec...

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Category: Punitive Articles


13

Jan

Naval Officer Not Required to Show Cause for Retention

MJA is proud to announce a recent victory on behalf of our client, a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy. Following completion of a command investigation, our client was offered nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for alleged violations of Article 92 (dereliction of duty) and...

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Category: Battles Won


13

Jan

How to Correct Your Military Records: A Primer

Have you ever wanted to remove derogatory material from your official military record, request a medal you earned but were never awarded, or ask for a different discharge characterization of service or reenlistment code? If so, there is good news! Each service branch maintains a ...

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