Administrative Separation Defense
Military separation boards are administrative proceedings that handle discharges from service, grade and career determinations, and other criminal or non-criminal matters. A command may refer minor charges against a commissioned officer to a military board in lieu of court-martial. Regardless of the specific body involved, our military law attorneys can offer indispensable counsel to servicemembers appealing to, or undergoing review by, a military board. Contact our military lawyers now to learn more.
Boards of Inquiry
A Board of Inquiry constitutes an administrative alternative to court-martial, wherein an officer’s misconduct and service record are evaluated and career determinations made. This board is vested with certain powers at their collective discretion, depending on whether or not the subject officer is retirement eligible. Because of their long-term influence on retirement benefits and pay, boards of inquiry are extremely important.
Administrative Discharge Boards
When a command recommends that a servicemember be involuntarily discharged based on performance, misconduct, or mental or physical ability, the matter is evaluated by an administrative discharge board. An administrative separation hearing offers the servicemember the opportunity to fight for retention in the military prior to a discharge being issued.
Notification Procedures
Probationary officers and enlisted members with less than 6 years of active duty generally do not rate a separation board when they are discharged under Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions). As a result, they can be involuntarily separated via “notification procedures” and never get to make their case in front of a board. Servicemembers can rebut the separation action and fight for retention on active duty, suspension of the separation, or an Honorable discharge.
What Our Clients Say
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"He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom."
My career, my life, my future was completely in his hands and he took it as seriously as I did. He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom. I highly recommend his services if you expect to have any chance of seeing the justice you truly deserve.
- Corporal, USMC -
"It Was Like a Scene From a Movie"
The results I received from the board was the best possible outcome in my favor and saved my career and my family’s future.
- Master Sergeant, USAF -
"I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding."
Mr. Hill tore apart the government's theory piece by piece . . . I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding.
- Petty Officer Third Class, USN -
"I would not want my fate in anyone else’s hands."
Gerry Healy is an outstanding attorney. In the courtroom he is confident, knowledgeable, and aggressive. I would not want my fate in anyone else’s hands.
- Airman First Class, USAF -
"Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense of me"
Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense. . . and absolved me of any wrongdoing under the UCMJ.
- Corporal, USMC
Our Battles Won
Results Matter. When your career, reputation, and freedom are on the line, you need an experienced law firm in your corner. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at MJA know how to fight and win. Our results speak for themselves.
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"NOT GUILTY"
Fort Cavazos, Texas. Army Staff Sergeant Acquitted of Murder at General Court-Martial After Deadly Shooting Incident in Texas.
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"NOT GUILTY" "NOT GUILTY"
Quantico, Virginia. Marine Corporal (E-4) Acquitted at Court-Martial of Wrongful Drug Use After Positive Urinalysis.
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"NO BASIS"
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman, Hawaii. Administrative Discharge Board Finds “No Basis” for Alleged Senior Leader Misconduct.
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"NOT GUILTY" Fort Cavazos, Texas
Fort Hood, Texas. Army Private Second Class (E-2) Acquitted of Rape and Sexual Assault Charges After Week-Long Trial.
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"NOT GUILTY" Parris Island, South Carolina
Parris Island, South Carolina. Marine Staff Sergeant (E-6) Acquitted at Court-Martial of Hazing, Blood Striping, and Pinning.
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"NOT GUILTY" "NOT GUILTY"
Kings Bay, Georgia. Navy Master-at-Arms Found Not Guilty of Unholstering Firearm and Pointing it at Another Sailor.
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"NOT GUILTY" "NOT GUILTY"
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Senior Airman (E-4) Accused of Rape and Abusive Sexual Contact Acquitted by Military Judge.