Discharge Upgrade Attorney Serving Texas

Name: Discharge Upgrade
Brand: Military Justice Attorneys
Rating: 5 (44 reviews)

An unfair discharge can limit your benefits, employment opportunities, and long-term reputation, even years after leaving service.

Support When Your Discharge No Longer Reflects Your Service

Veterans across Texas face significant challenges when a past discharge prevents access to benefits or misrepresents their military service, and a skilled discharge upgrade lawyer can help whether you served at Fort Cavazos, Joint Base San Antonio (including Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston), Goodfellow Air Force Base, Dyess Air Force Base, or Sheppard Air Force Base.

Those who trained or served near Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Naval Air Station Kingsville, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Camp Bullis, Camp Bowie, or Camp Mabry often face the same obstacles. Military Justice Attorneys (MJA), a team of former Marine Judge Advocates, helps Texas veterans secure discharge upgrades that restore opportunities and dignity.

What Is a Discharge Upgrade?

A discharge upgrade is a formal request to a Discharge Review Board (DRB) or Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) to change the characterization or narrative reason for separation. Boards evaluate whether your discharge was fair, legally correct, and consistent with modern review standards.

Many procedural rules come from Department of Defense instructions and the Manual for Courts-Martial, available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/. These authorities guide boards in determining whether a discharge should be upgraded due to equity or error.

The Benefits of Working With a Military Defense Attorney for Discharge Upgrades

Identification of Strong Legal and Factual Arguments. We analyze your separation, performance history, and administrative record to uncover procedural errors, inequitable decisions, and overlooked mitigating factors that significantly strengthen the likelihood of an upgrade.
Comprehensive Evidence Development and Organization. We gather statements, medical documentation, service records, and character references, then present them in a structured, persuasive format that meets board expectations and highlights the full context of your service.
Clear, Strategic Advocacy Focused on Results. Our written briefs apply regulatory standards, modern review guidance, and compelling narrative structure to demonstrate why your discharge no longer reflects your conduct, growth, or the realities surrounding your separation.

Is a Discharge Upgrade Relevant to My Situation?

Discharge upgrades are appropriate when the discharge no longer reflects the true nature of your service or was based on incomplete or misunderstood evidence. Veterans may also seek upgrades when new information, such as operational stress, post-traumatic stress, TBI, medical documentation, or family hardship, was not properly evaluated at the time of separation.

If your discharge restricts access to VA benefits, employment opportunities, or educational funding, or if it affects personal and professional credibility, you may qualify for review. Legal evaluation helps determine which arguments will be most effective.

Former Military Judge Advocates United By Service

Our military discharge attorneys are all former military officers who served on active duty. We work as a team on your case, leveraging each of our attorneys’ unique perspectives and vast experience to win on your behalf.

Gerry Healy

Owner and Founder

Gerry founded Military Justice Attorneys to provide service members with principled, trial-tested defense rooted in firsthand experience inside the military justice system.

Former Judge Advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps
Recognized Criminal Defense Attorney and Litigator
Represents Military Community in Complex Mass Torts

Josh Hill

Managing Partner

Josh oversees the firm’s military justice practice, bringing a strategic and detail-driven approach to complex litigation, appeals, and high-stakes administrative matters.

Former Military Prosecutor and Defense Counsel
Admitted to Practice in all Military Appellate Courts
Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing

Chip Hodge

Partner

Chip draws on senior-level military justice experience to advise and defend service members facing courts-martial, investigations, and career-altering administrative actions.

Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel
Served as Deputy SJA, Marine Forces Reserve
Deployed to Afghanistan in Support of OEF

Paul Murray

Partner

Paul represents contractors injured while working overseas in support of US agencies and forces, combining significant litigation experience with a deep commitment to helping injured workers.

Former Major in the U.S. Marine Corps
Admitted to the Bar in South Carolina, Georgia, and Illinois

Jon Shelburne

Senior Counsel

Jon brings decades of courtroom and appellate experience, focusing on serious criminal allegations and complex military justice matters worldwide.

30+ Years of Trial Experience
Co-Chair, Veterans Committee for Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Amy Thomas

Of Counsel

Amy provides strategic counsel on military and employment-related matters, informed by senior leadership experience and advanced legal training.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps
Master's in Jurisprudence in Labor & Employment Law

The Discharge Upgrade Process What to Expect

Step One: Reviewing Your Record and Identifying Arguments

We begin by analyzing your DD-214, separation documentation, service history, and any available medical or investigative records. This evaluation helps determine whether your case involves procedural error, inequity, or both.

Step Two: Selecting the Correct Review Board

Cases within 15 years typically go before a DRB, while older cases or those requiring deeper legal review may go to a BCMR. Guidance published by the Joint Service Committee at https://jsc.defense.gov helps define jurisdiction and standards for each board.

Step Three: Developing a Comprehensive Submission

We prepare a detailed written brief supported by documentation, character statements, medical evidence, and a clear narrative explaining why the discharge should be corrected. Our approach highlights fairness, context, and regulatory standards.

Step Four: Filing, Monitoring, and Responding to the Board

We file your application, track progress, and respond to any follow-up requests from the board. Although the process can take several months, a well-prepared submission significantly improves the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

After Your Discharge Upgrade What Comes Next

A successful upgrade may restore VA benefits, improve employment prospects, correct public record issues, and remove harmful characterizations that have followed you for years. Some veterans pursue further corrections, such as reenlistment code adjustments or record clarifications. We continue supporting clients after the upgrade by assisting with VA documentation, advising on next steps, and ensuring that the corrected record produces meaningful, lasting changes.

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Client Testimonials Their Words. Their Cases. Their Results.

View All Testimonials

"The Government Came to Bury Me, Josh Hill Buried Their Case Instead"

If you’re reading this review,...

"If you’re reading this review, there’s a fair chance you’re in trouble with the military. The answer is YES—hire Josh Hill. He is worth every penny and more. Don’t gamble with your VA benefits, your military pension, or your freedom. You only get one shot at defending your future. Trust me, this is the guy you want in your corner. When I first hired Josh Hill as my civilian military lawyer, I was staring down a mountain: 28 specifications across 6 charges in a military court-martial. The government basically made a giant mud ball, threw it at the wall, and waited to see what would stick. The stakes couldn’t have been higher—my freedom, my career, my reputation, and my benefits were all on the line. But from day one, Josh brought unmatched experience, surgical strategy, and a level of confidence that gave me hope when I needed it most. Josh Hill is a master of his craft. He navigated the UCMJ like a seasoned warrior—dissecting every allegation, exposing every weakness in the government’s case, and challenging every false assumption thrown my way. His preparation was meticulous, his presence in court was commanding, and his cross-examinations were absolutely relentless. He left no stone unturned and no argument unanswered. Because of Josh’s leadership, we went from what felt like an impossible situation to walking out of that courtroom not guilty on all charges. That wasn’t just a win—it was a total and complete vindication. And it’s 100% because of Josh Hill’s commitment, brilliance, and refusal to let the government steamroll me. Josh Hill didn’t just defend me—he saved my life. I will forever be in his debt for the sacrifices he made and the time he dedicated to my case. One last note: When he calls—ANSWER IT. Drop what you're doing, it can wait. That phone call might be the one thing that changes your future. If you want to hear my story firsthand, Josh has my permission to give you my contact info. I’ll gladly tell you exactly how he absolutely destroyed the government’s case, so I can continue with my life."
-STAFF SERGEANT, USMC

"He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom."

My career, my life, my futu...

I know Mr Healy quite well. He represented me in a case where the odds were stacked against me. This was the most difficult time of my life considering some other circumstances that were added on. However, he fought for me tooth and nail even though his caseload was very high at the time. It seemed he devoted every ounce of effort to find me justice and in the end, because of his efforts, I was fully acquitted of several charges.
I will never forget that feeling for as long as I live. Upon the announcement of the verdict I nearly collapsed. 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

"Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense of me"

Mr. Hodge was relentless in hi...

Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense of me . . . and absolved me of any wrongdoing under the UCMJ.
-Corporal, USMC

"His dedication to me as a client was unprecedented."

Josh is a hard nosed and dedic...

Josh is a hard nosed and dedicated attorney that will stand by you every step of the way in your defense. His dedication to me as a client was unprecedented.
-Staff Sergeant, USA

"I would hire them again in a heartbeat."

Gerry and Josh are absolute pr...

Gerry and Josh are absolute professional monsters in the courtroom. I would hire them again in a heartbeat and wouldn’t want anyone else in my corner!
-Private First Class, USA

"I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding."

Mr. Hill tore apart the govern...

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 outstandi...

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

Why Choose Military Justice Attorneys?

Deep Military Justice Experience

Our attorneys are former Marine Judge Advocates with decades of combined experience. We understand the complexities of administrative law, record corrections, and board procedures, ensuring your submission meets the highest standard.

Proven Results and Strategic Advocacy

We have helped veterans across the country correct unfair or outdated discharges by presenting structured, evidence-driven arguments. Our approach is clear, disciplined, and aligned with board expectations.

Dedicated Support for Veterans Across Texas

Whether you served in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Killeen, Wichita Falls, Houston, or coastal installations, we provide direct access to experienced attorneys, not case managers, and personalized guidance at every stage. We bring the discipline, precision, and commitment your service deserves.

Discharge Upgrade Attorney Serving Texas FAQs

Can I apply for a discharge upgrade if many years have passed since separation?

Yes. BCMR applications allow late filings with good-cause justification. Many Texas veterans secure upgrades decades after leaving service when new evidence or circumstances support their request.

Do discharge upgrades restore VA benefits automatically?

Not automatically. The VA conducts its own character-of-service determination after an upgrade. Many veterans regain benefits once the discharge is corrected and supporting evidence is submitted.

What if I no longer have copies of my service records?

We can help request missing records from official archives. Upgrades can proceed while documentation is being retrieved, and strong written arguments may offset gaps.

How long does the discharge upgrade process take?

Timelines vary, but most cases take several months. Strong evidence, clear arguments, and complete documentation help prevent unnecessary delays and increase success rates.

When should I contact a discharge upgrade attorney?

As soon as you believe your discharge is inaccurate, unfair, or limiting your employment or benefits. Early evaluation allows us to identify strong arguments and build a compelling submission.

Restore Your Record and Reclaim Your Opportunities

If your discharge does not reflect the truth of your service, we can help correct it. Contact Military Justice Attorneys today to schedule your confidential consultation with a former Marine Judge Advocate.