Career at stake
Separation boards and boards of inquiry
A notice of separation, a show-cause letter or an order to appear before a board can end a career, and what the discharge says can follow you for life.
Enlisted members can be separated on a command's recommendation. Officers may be asked to show cause for staying in before a board of inquiry. In both, you can usually respond, present evidence and witnesses, and ask for a hearing, and the deadlines are short. We read the notice with you, build the response and speak for you at the hearing.
What we do
Read the notice and mark every deadline
Gather records, statements and character witnesses
Prepare you to testify, or advise that you should not
Argue to keep you in, or for a better characterization of service
Plan for what an adverse finding does to a security clearance
The decision
What a board can decide
The notice names the basis for separation. The board weighs it and reaches one of these.
Retention
The board finds the basis unproven or not enough, and you stay in. Most of our preparation aims here.
Separation, with a characterization
You leave, and the discharge is labeled honorable, general or other than honorable. That label affects benefits, jobs and school, so it is argued as hard as retention.
A security-clearance review
An adverse finding can start a review of your clearance, even if you stay. We plan for that from the first week.
Questions
What people ask when the notice arrives
How long do I have to respond?
The notice sets the deadline, and it can be a matter of days. Do not let it pass. If you need more time, ask for it in writing, and call us right away.
Am I entitled to a hearing?
It depends on your length of service, the kind of separation and the stated basis. The notice usually says. We will read it with you and tell you what you may ask for.
What separates an honorable discharge from other than honorable?
The characterization is a judgment about the quality of your service. Other than honorable can close off benefits and follow you into civilian work, which is why it matters even when you are leaving anyway.
Can I resign instead of facing a board?
Sometimes an officer may request to resign in place of a board, but the terms can carry a lesser characterization. Get advice before you sign anything.
Can you represent me from a distance?
Often, yes. We prepare by phone and video and appear at the hearing in person when it is held within reach.
Send us the notice and its date
Send the date on it and who signed it, and we will tell you how much time you have.
Please don't send confidential details by email or form; we will ask for them on the call.