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Administrative Actions


Military law involves the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and a number of other statutes, regulations, and instructions. Commanders can use these to address misconduct that does not warrant a court-martial. The different military branches each have their own administrative actions available for commanders to use.

General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR)

A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand is an administrative measure short of an Article 15. It is considered a “career killer” in the Army. A GOMOR is authorized by AR 600-37, Unfavorable Information. The Commander has two options for filing – either in the local file or the performance portion of the AMHRR.

A GOMOR can have the effect of rendering someone ineligible for promotion, triggering an administrative discharge board or Board of Inquiry , a retirement grade determination, or the inability to reenlist.

You have the chance to rebut the GOMOR before it is filed. KMD has assisted clients with their rebuttal statements so effectively that the response has changed the General’s mind on many occasions, resulting in either withdrawal of the GOMOR or local filing. Statements in rebuttal to the GOMOR are filed with the GOMOR itself, which can impact future decision-makers for things like promotion, retirement grade determinations, and future appeal. This is why it is important to obtain the assistance of a military defense attorney who can help you put together the best response for your situation.

Finally, a Soldier can appeal the filing of a GOMOR to the Department of the Army Suitability Evaluation Board (DASEB). The Soldier can request removal from the AMHRR or transfer to the restricted portion of the AMHRR. KMD has experience filing DASEB appeals and has a great track record of success. Even simply moving the GOMOR to the restricted portion of the AMHRR can have a profound effect on a Soldier’s career.

As one former client, a MAJ in the US Army, put it:

“I can’t thank you enough for the work you put into this appeal.  While the GOMOR was not removed entirely, I’m greatly satisfied with the results.  I’m able to continue with my career and begin to put this behind me.  It’s been a very trying time in my life and career.  There’s more I’d like to add but I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and emotions at the moment.  Simply put, thank you Stephanie.”

Counseling Records

Each service has its own methods of administrative counseling to correct behavior. For example, the Navy has counseling chits, a nonpunitive letter of caution (NPLOC), and a punitive letter of reprimand. The Marine Corps has a “6105” based on the paragraph of MCO 1900.16 (MARCORSEPMAN) requiring counseling before administrative separation. The Air Force and Space Force have letters of counseling, letters of admonishment, and letters of reprimand.

These counselings are designed to track the chain of command’s attempts to impose discipline and the servicemember’s deficiencies. They are written records that are later used for administrative separation or as matters in aggravation at a court-martial . They can also impact your ability to test or be selected for promotion, PCS, be selected for competitive training courses, or use certain benefits like tuition assistance.

Counseling is a system that is ripe for abuse. When the chain of command has personal motives, they can stack counselings to create a pattern of alleged misconduct that is an inaccurate representation of the truth. KMD has experienced many situations where a SNCO exaggerates conduct or imposes multiple counselings on junior servicemembers in one day, then claims it is an uncorrectable “pattern” and recommends administrative separation to the Commanding Officer.

These counselings can be particularly devastating for SNCO’s and Officers. However, a strong rebuttal can have the effect of withdrawing the letter or setting up the servicemember for later requests for removal from the OMPF or correction at the BCM/NR [HYPERLINK]. Strong rebuttals at the time of the counselings can also be beneficial if they are trying to use the counselings to administratively separate you.

Adverse Evaluations

Receiving an adverse evaluation can have a serious impact on your career, including affecting your promotion potential. Each service has a method for rebutting or appealing evaluations, and you’ll want to ensure your rebuttal is sufficient to fully document the problems with the evaluation/FITREP/OER/OPR to ensure the highest likelihood of success when appealing or requesting later correction through the BCM/NR [HYPERLINK].

Relief from Command

There are a variety of steps you can take if you have been wrongfully relieved from command. The services rarely ever issue a reason why someone was relieved of command, except to say “loss of confidence.” This has become a particular problem in the Navy, where the number of Commanding Officers relieved from command has reached astronomical proportions.

When you are relieved from command, you can take an aggressive approach by filing complaints with the appropriate authorities. You can also fight back on a Detachments for Cause or an adverse FITREP (Navy) or adverse OPRs and OERs (Air Force, Space Force, and Army).

SHARP Complaints, PAC Complaints, and EO Complaints

SHARP Complaints, PAC Complaints, and EO Complaints all have different regulations specific to the type of investigation, the procedures involved, and the particular service you’re in. These are high stakes investigations that involve a number of nuances that require a skilled military defense lawyer to help you navigate.

Substantiated allegations in these types of complaints can lead to mandatory administrative action against you, including administrative discharge. It is essential to retain the assistance of a military defense lawyer as early in the process as you can. At KMD, we help you navigate the investigation to seek the best outcome possible. If you are subject to administrative or punitive action, we help you respond so as to avoid those mandatory outcomes if possible.

Kral Military Defense

Military Defense Attorneys

855-707-UCMJ

Our Team


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*Please note, KMD does not handle cases involving the Department of Veterans Affairs, disability claims, or family law matters.

Kral Military Defense
Excellent
4.9
If you are reading this more than likely you are in desperation mode and looking for a military defense lawyer. STOP looking, you found steph and her team. From the go i was taken care of, every question answered and every worry put at ease. The way steph strategized and wrote my defense i could not have done myself nor i think any jag would have done it. I remember sitting across from her very worried and nervous, she asked what was i worried about and i named off a couple corncerns, she went on to explain them all and why i should not worry because she had it handled. There is no price for that feeling. Her and her teams many years of experience is what you need. Thank you steph. I can now move on and reach that finish line.
Good morning, Afternoon or Evening to all.I recently had Stephanie, Lindsey and Danielle as my defense counsel team. They were very professional, approachable and available to assist, give information and be readily available. Nothing but a wonderful experience, definitely help me keep my stress levels at bay while dealing with the legal process regarding my case. I am keep their contact information on hand for anyone who will ever need there services. Highly recommended.
I found myself in an unfortunate situation where I was in desperate need for a military defense attorney. Steph, Abbey and Danielle are a POWERHOUSE together. They’re so knowledgeable and professional. I just remember being told that I was getting an automatic ADSEP and all I can say is that I’m still here with an amazing outcome. I highly recommend if you want to save your military career, especially if you find yourself feeling hopeless about your legal situation 100% retain this law firm you won’t regret it. I am beyond grateful to have had KMD on my side.Thank you so much again for a fantastic job!:) Teiona B
I found myself in an unfortunate situation where I was desperate for an attorney. I am so glad that I found KMD. Steph is a POWERHOUSE and didn't back down during the entire case. She is so knowledgeable and uses her knowledge to your advantage. I could not recommend her more, especially if you find yourself feeling hopeless about a legal case. I am beyond grateful to have met Steph and have her on my side.
Found myself in an unfortunate situation where I was in need of a lawyer. Luckily when I did a google search Kral Military Defense was the first website to pop up. If you are willing to fight for your name and career, then look no further Kral Military Defense is who you want on your side. Stephaine and her team are very knowledgeable and professional.
Kral Military Defenses has my highest recommendation! If you are a service member and need an attorney who is responsive, intelligent, and treats you like a person, not just a number. She is the attorney for you.I was on deployment when I needed an attorney. Kral Military Defense took care of my legal affairs while I was out to sea. It was a weight off my shoulders knowing she was handling my situation back home while I was gone.When my chain of command was putting unnecessary limitations on my liberty because of my legal situation. She went above and beyond by contacted my ship and was able to get them lifted.Kral Military Defense was able to resolve my situation with no action taken against myself. If I ever need of a defense attorney ever again I'm 100% coming back to Kral Military Defense.
My local Military Defense Counsel is very short staffed so I had trouble getting a hold of them. Not wanting to wait I contacted Ms. Danielle Espinosa over the weekend and she was able to help review and discuss my response with me before it was due Monday. She was extremely knowledgeable, cut the fluff and told me like it was. I recommend anyone serious about the future of their Military Career to work with this team. Thank you for your help!
When I retained Ms. Kral, I was a nervous wreck. As she worked with me over the course of 18 months, she was compassionate and was able to assure me that I would have a future. Even my command JAG assured me I’d be alright when I hired her. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome with my case. Ms. Kral should be your choice if you need a military defense attorney.
Abbigayle Hunter and her legal team, especially Danielle Espinosa, were exceptional! The communication was prompt, professional, and thorough. From the moment we reached out to them, they showed a genuine interest in understanding our case and providing us with the best legal representation possible.Abbigayle Hunter and Danielle Espinosa, went above and beyond to ensure that we were kept informed throughout the entire legal process. They promptly responded to our emails and phone calls, addressing any concerns or questions we had. Their attention to detail and extensive knowledge of the law instilled confidence in us that we were in capable hands.Not only did Abbigayle Hunter and her team provide us with excellent communication, but they also displayed a remarkable level of expertise. They meticulously examined every aspect of our case, leaving no stone unturned. Their dedication and commitment to our case were evident in the meticulous research they conducted, the thorough documentation they prepared, and the persuasive arguments they presented.Abbigayle Hunter not only possessed an impressive understanding of the law but also had excellent negotiation skills. Her tirelessly advocated on our behalf, ensuring that our interests were protected and our rights were upheld. Their ability to navigate complex legal matters and maneuver through any obstacles that arose was truly remarkable.
Stephanie and her team were AMAZING! I found her through a mutual friend and she handled my case with care and compassion. Even her team checked on me, answered all my questions I had, overall she made sure everything was token care of during the ENTIRE process! When she told me “don’t you worry, that’s my job” I truly believe her and in the end she got the results that I am so grateful for! Hopefully I won’t have to go through the process again but if I have to she will most definitely be the woman I WILL call on! Thank you so much Stephanie and Danielle you both made this process a lot less stressful with your knowledge and compassion towards me and my case!!!
Steph and her team worked diligently to ensure all evidence or lack there of was thoroughly examined. Her knowledge and experience within the military justice system gave me piece of mind throughout the process as she was well versed in the way everything played out. My family and I are grateful for the hard work and professionalism displayed by everyone on her team. Thank you!
Steph was the first and clear choice to handle my ADSEP board. I was facing serious allegations, which she handled with professionalism while keeping me posted along the way. Her expertise in UCMJ matters is second to none. Without her I would have probably lost my retirement benefits.
Called on behalf of a veteran who is terminally ill regarding a discharge upgrade and spoke to their assistant Christian. Christian was so unbelievably rude and spoke to me like I'm an idiot when he was unable to answer the questions I had about their services and the process. The level of disrespect from him totally caught me off guard given the nature of work the office is supposed to be doing. What's more upsetting is the lack of empathy that he displayed during our conversation. Unfortunately, I can't not speak on the level of service from the attorneys since we decided to go with someone else but Christian either needs to undergo more training or he needs to be replaced.
Stephanie is very experienced and a great attorney.
There are many things that I could say about this particular law firm, but instead of going into the weeds on my particular case, I feel as though brevity would be the best choice here. I was primarily represented by Ms. Abbigayle Hunter, and in short, I believe the representation by Ms. Hunter was above reproach. I couldn’t have asked for a better legal professional to handle the complexities of my particular case. She was transparent, punctual, and actually made me feel as though she was personally invested, despite the fact that she had already been paid for representation. She didn’t sugarcoat hard truths and was very up front about all different aspects relating to my case. It was comforting in a way that she was also a fellow service member, and it made me feel as though she took this case to heart and it added another level of drive to the case. Ms. Hunter has a certain tenacity in the courtroom that I found very refreshing to witness, and I would strongly recommend her to anyone else seeking legal advice. Would actively seek to be represented by her again, though also hoping it’s never needed.
Outstanding!!!! She's very smart, knows her job, and communicates with you all the time with the best of her knowledge. I highly recommend Kral Military Defense!!!
After my command refused to give me due process, I was lost for words and truly had no where to turn. A shipmate referred me to Steph and it was the best possible recommendation I have ever received. Reliable, expert, professional and overall just a great person. She never lost sight of my case and would check in on me to ensure I was doing good personally. I highly recommend her services to anyone who may have a legal issue. At minimum, request a consultation. I can assure that you will not be dissatisfied!
Great team! After hiring this legal team i was pleased with their work and their ability to go above and beyond resulting in a finding of not guilty.
Very easy to talk to. Will get you the best outcome there is
I wish you could give more than 5 stars. She deserves 10!! This was a huge decision for our child, but she was worth every penny and more. As a mom I was really concerned about him spending the money on an attorney since you never know what you’re going to get. Our child mentioned this to Stephanie and she called me to answer all my questions. She went above and beyond what was required of her, not just with the phone call but with everything she did. The case went on for longer than we had ever imagined. She never wavered in her dedication. I was honestly shocked at just how hard she worked. If only I could express in words the heart felt gratitude, we feel towards her. She fought so hard and we knew we could trust decisions she made. When ever our child would update us, we would ask what Stephanie thought. We never could have imagined finding an attorney who we trust as much as we trust her. I don’t believe you will find an attorney who will fight as hard for you as she will. I consider her a part of our family and am so very blessed to have gotten to know her. She’s an amazing attorney and an even more amazing human being.
Stephanie was a great attorney as well as her team they helped me through my entire CID investigation and got me a no basis separation. Every question I had was answered in the upmost professional manner. I highly recommend that you retain her defense team for any case that you have. She’s attacks every case in a manner that leaves everyone with a reasonable doubt.
This was a life changing decision.I spent hours searching for and calling several attorneys. Some didn't give me the time of day, others just seemed cold. Mrs. Kral was the only attorney I called who actually seemed to care. And not only that but she listened me and gave an honest opinion. Usually you feel that attorneys only care about money but I never once felt that from Mrs. Kral. She took a personal interest in my case and brought not only her extensive knowledge of the law, but also her fierce attitude and relentless perseverance. She never missed a beat and always had a way forward. She also has excellent communication skills and took the time to explain everything to me at every step. I felt hopeless until we met. Now I can move on with my life and move forward with everything behind me because of how valiantly she fought. I truly think that if you decide to choose Kral Military Defense to fight for you then you'll never feel disappointed. If I could give more than 5 stars then I would. Because she's not like other attorneys. She will always have your back and keep your best interests at heart. If you take away anything from this review, let it be this: You want someone behind you that is willing to fight for you as if you were their own and also has the strength and knowledge to be successful. Don't pass up the opportunity to increase your chances and decrease your stress.
The team at Kral Military Defense is very approachable, knowledgeable, and dedicated. I was facing an LOR due to the results of an investigation conducted by the military. The team at Kral Military Defense reviewed the report of investigation and was able to craft an excellent rebuttal to the charges. Ultimately, the leadership decided to rescind the LOR . The whole team, Steph, Danielle, ,Abby, and Chris were very responsive to my questions and requests through the whole process. If you ever find yourself in any sort of legal situation in the military I highly recommend that you contact them and put them in your corner!
Stephanie was very knowledgeable and despite me being so anxious about my case helped me through it and got an innocent verdict within 6 minutes of the board being adjourned. So very grateful for her and my JAG for helping me out and highly recommend hiring Stephanie especially if you are military.
This law firm it worth every penny. Mrs. Danielle is an amazing women. She is kind and warm hearted and professional. She will make sure she understands you very well and will fights tooth and nail for you. Mrs. Abby is phenomenal. Mrs. Abby's Knowledge is deep and spot on. Mrs. Abby knows what to do and if she's not sure about UCMJ she'll make sure she does within your next call. Both these ladies are top-tier lawyer and paralegal. And I will always recommend these two to others for the duration of their long careers. Christian was a great guy and made sure all information was pushed up to them in a timely manner he's a hidden gem. They fight the good fight. Do not doubt them and work with them and they'll do their best and more.
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About The Firm


Kral Military Defense defends members of America's military throughout the world. We do not maintain physical office space in the traditional sense. Instead, we offer secure video and telephone consultations and meet with current clients, as needed, at home and abroad.

KMD practices in Washington D.C. under D.C. App. R. 49, limiting the practice only to federal military courts in which we are admitted to practice providing services authorized under Rule 49(c)(3). No attorney is admitted to the Washington D.C. Bar, which is not required for our federal military practice.

Office Location


3111 Camino Del Rio N.
Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92108

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Nothing on this site should create an expectation of any particular outcome or result. Every case is unique.

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