Enhancing Your Military Discharge for Better Access to VA Disability Benefits
One of the most critical factors in determining eligibility for VA service-connected disability benefits is the character of discharge from military service. Veterans who receive anything other than an honorable discharge may face challenges in accessing the benefits they rightfully deserve…
Fairness for Veterans Act 2016
In 2016, The U. S. Government Accountability Office studied Department of Defense (DOD) data collected from 2011 to 2015. Consequently, their analysis found that during the years 2011 to 2015, 91,764 service members were separated for misconduct.
Rebut and Appeal a Negative Military Evaluation
Service members should consider rebutting or appealing a negative military evaluation to avoid lasting effects on their careers.
How To Get Your Reenlistment Code Changed?
The secretary of a military branch acts through a board to correct military records (BCMR). They can change any military record to correct an error or remove an injustice, including reenlistment code.
BAH and Travel Fraud
We represented an NCO at a General Court-Martial who was accused of Larceny in violation of Article 121 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and making False Official Statements in violation of Article 107 UCMJ, related to alleged BAH fraud.
Can You Change An Other Than Honorable Discharge (OTH)?
This characterization of service is referred to as an “Other Than Honorable” or “OTH” discharge. An OTH is the worst administrative discharge available. It results in a significant loss of military service benefits and may cause hardships in post-service civilian life.
Military Records Correction
The secretary of a military branch, acting through a board for correction of military records (BCMR), has the authority to change any military record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice.
Questions About Military Drug Testing
While preparing for a court-martial case at Fort Bragg I had the chance to speak with a Forensic Toxicologist who was one of my experts for the case. The Toxicologist works as a civilian for the military. He has spent years working with military drug testing facilities and is familiar with their internal processes and the studies that evaluate military drug testing procedures.
Jonathan W. Crisp, Owner of Crisp and Associates LLC, weighs in on Non-Judicial Punishment
Article 15s/Mast/Non-judicial punishment can have almost as devastating an effect on one’s career as an actual court-martial. The effect it can have is often dictated by the current OPTEMPO and command climate.
Will the Military Automatically Upgrade My Discharge?
One of the most common urban legends throughout the military is that a negative service characterization or discharge will be upgraded after six months. Throughout the last decade and a half that I have been practicing military law, I have heard this idea repeated many times.