Understanding Article 138 of the UCMJ Many Service-Members spend an entire military career without ever hearing the words “Article 138.” Others hear the term mentioned in passing and assume it is simply another version of an Inspector General (IG) complaint or a Congressional Inquiry. Neither of these is the case. Article 138 of the Uniform … Read more
What the MSPB Is—and What It Isn’t If you are a federal civilian employee facing removal, suspension, demotion, or another serious personnel action, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is often your primary avenue for relief. The MSPB process is not informal, and it is not necessarily forgiving; however, when handled correctly, it is one … Read more
Scenarios Every Soldier Should Know Military service demands discipline, loyalty, and a level of personal accountability most civilians never experience. With that commitment comes a legal structure that is both strict and relentless. Most service members never expect to need a lawyer. But legal trouble in the military rarely gives advance warning. It shows up … Read more
You’ve Been Discharged. But Is That the End of the Uniform? Separation from the military can feel like a closed chapter. Until the desire to serve again shows up when you least expect it. For some, it comes from unfinished business. For others, it’s about regaining structure, access to benefits, or reclaiming a sense of … Read more
What’s a Reentry Code, Really? It’s one of those things you don’t pay much attention to—until you do. On your DD-214, somewhere down in the less noticeable sections, there’s a code. A reentry code. It looks harmless. Two or three letters and numbers, no explanation. But for a lot of people, that little code decides … Read more
Facing charges of indecent exposure under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) can be overwhelming for service members. Just what is indecent exposure, how severe are the punishments, and what defenses are available? The information here should provide everything you need to defend yourself against this accusation. The Definition of Indecent Exposure Under the … Read more
Required vaccines are nothing new for the US military. Yet the topic has garnered newfound attention following the COVID-19 vaccination order. Are you considering joining the military, or do you already serve in the Armed Forces? If so, be prepared to adhere to the Department of Defense (DoD) vaccination mandates as part of the requirement … Read more
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
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
When a person is charged with a crime, the judge may order pretrial confinement. The military version of pretrial confinement shares some similarities to civilian rules, but there are some notable differences. By understanding how pretrial confinement works for military members, you’ll know what to expect if this has been imposed on you. How Pretrial … Read more
