Most people are familiar with the two main types of military discharges—honorable and dishonorable—but there are numerous others as well. Most discharges are administrative, while others are punitive, related to medical conditions, or for the government’s convenience. Understanding the nature of your specific discharge can help you understand how it might complicate your ability to … Read more
Are you a military service member who has been accused of committing a crime? While certain activities are illegal under both martial and civilian law, the military has a different set of codes, processes, and penalties for dealing with crimes. If you’re facing a military trial, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the differences in … Read more
Have you been contacted by CID, NCIS, or another military investigative organization? As soon as you learn you are being investigated for a crime while serving in the military, you should contact an attorney to defend your rights and guide you through the legal process. In the meantime, learn more about your rights as a … Read more
Our brave men and women in uniform have dedicated themselves to protecting the country against grave threats to national defense. The question on everyone’s minds is whether military personnel should be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine to guard against a microscopic threat to their personal health. And once a full mandate is in place, … Read more
Investigating officers are appointed under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 15-6 to conduct timely, thorough, and legally sound inquiries. AR 15-6 investigations are specifically designed to be informal, though some provisions are also applicable to formal investigations. For the purposes of this guide, only informal investigations will be discussed. Who Can Serve as an … Read more
The military justice system isn’t set up to effectively handle sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and other sensitive cases. That’s why an Independent Review Commission (IRC) out of the Pentagon has recommended 28 main changes and 54 sub-recommendations to fix the way sexual assault and related crimes are prosecuted in the military. While the … Read more
The Killeen Daily Herald has reported the story of Staff Sgt. Sandy Marquis, who is now facing a court-martial over an old Child Protective Services (CPS) case. The article gives the years-long background to the current case and explains that Marquis believes she is being targeted for reporting instances of sexual misconduct to the authorities … Read more
After eight years of attempting to pass a military sexual assault reform bill, it appears the legislation finally has enough support to pass in the Senate. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) co-authored the bill, which is backed by 61 senators on both sides of the aisle. This level of support means … Read more
It is not surprising that many military troops return from lengthy overseas deployments with mental health challenges, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental illnesses are strongly linked to suicidal behavior and can predicate the transition from suicidal ideation to suicide attempts. According to the University of Massachusetts Law Review released in 2014, … Read more
In April 2017, Iraq War veteran Stephen Kennedy filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of about 50,000 soldiers. The settlement class includes members and former members of the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard who served during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and who: Were less-than-honorably discharged; Have not received a discharge upgrade; and … Read more
