Social media is everywhere now. Every generation, in some aspect, is affected by it. In August, the Department of Defense released its first guideline for social media use. That release acted as the catalyst for other social media reforms to be put into place. Army Announces New Social Media Policy This month the Army also … Read more
A Military Protective Order (MPO) is a legal order issued by a commanding officer that prohibits an accused military service member from contacting the person or persons identified in the order. Learn more about the rules that apply to an MPO and how a military defense lawyer can defend you during any associated legal proceedings. … Read more
Due to the physical and cognitive demands of military service, 60% of Armed Forces members regularly consume dietary supplements to promote general good health. These products range from multivitamins and herbal supplements to purported steroid analogs. While many supplements are innocuous, others can cause serious side effects, including anabolic steroids. According to the Department of … Read more
Courts-martial are military courts that try the serious offenses of accused service members. As in civilian courts, a jury sits in on most court-martial cases. However, the selection process differs greatly, especially for Article 120 cases addressing sexual assault and rape. Learn about the differences and how a military defense attorney can help ensure you … Read more
A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) is a Letter of Reprimand (LOR), or administrative warning, sent from a general officer to a military service member who fails to meet established standards or policies. A GOMOR may be filed in one of two ways: In the Military Personnel Record Jacket (MPRJ), a “local file” that … Read more
While Congress has recently overhauled parts of the military justice system, some members of Congress believe further changes need to be made. Democratic Representative Veronica Escobar is calling for pretrial confinement to be issued based on legal advice and not by the ranking Commander. Current Pretrial Confinement Protocol Pretrial confinement, as defined by the MCM, … Read more
Recent events surrounding Army Reserve Major Jamie Schwandt in North Carolina bring up the First Amendment issue regarding political and religious proselytizing within the military. Army Reserve Major Schwandt on YouTube In July of this year, Army Reserve Major Schwandt posted a video on YouTube discussing abortion and transgender issues. In his video, Schwandt identified … Read more
A recent ruling by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has set a new precedent for sexual assualt survivors to be able to sue not only their assailants but also the Defense Department. Retired Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser v. retired Air Force Gen. John Hyten The ongoing Federal lawsuit of retired … Read more
Are you interested in joining the military? A criminal record doesn’t make it impossible to enlist, but it certainly complicates the process. The military holds recruits to a high standard. When you visit a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), a recruiter interviews you to determine your mental aptitude, physical qualifications, and moral character. A criminal … Read more
Have you heard of the Brandon Act? This legislation “modifies the regulatory requirement for the referral of a member of the Armed Forces for a mental health evaluation. It requires that commanding officers or supervisors make referrals as soon as practicable and that the referral process protect the confidentiality of the member.” The Brandon Act … Read more