A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) is an administrative letter written by a general officer that scolds a soldier for bad behavior. A GOMOR is not a good thing to receive and it can become a part of the soldier’s permanent file. Once a GOMOR is filed, the Army can use that information to file either a chapter action or a show cause board […]
The initial decision to use drugs is a voluntary one that can then spiral out of control into addiction. Addictions alter brain chemistry. This creates changes in a person’s self-control and their ability to resist impulses compelling them to use illicit substances. Unfortunately, drug use is pervasive throughout our culture, including in our military. The difference is that when members of our armed forces abuse […]
Navy SEAL Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher was sentenced by a military jury to a demotion and reduction in pay following a conviction for taking a photo beside a dead prisoner’s body. The Navy SEAL was acquitted of the more serious charge of murder in the case of the death of a 17-year-old ISIS prisoner. On July 2, 2019, Navy SEAL Gallagher was acquitted of […]
Until last year, domestic violence was not a recognized crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Servicemembers accused of domestic abuse could be charged under the UCMJ, but they’d face a variety of different charges. Some would be court-martialed for assault, while others were charged with rape or maiming. In 2018, the Uniform Code of Military Justice was formally amended to include domestic […]
Several Army veterans have filed lawsuits against 3M, the company that provided earplugs to the military for more than a decade. The veterans, who suffer from hearing disabilities, believe that the company knowingly sold defective safety equipment to the Army. Now they’re demanding compensation for the pain, suffering, and injuries they’re forced to deal with for the rest of their lives. Veterans of Afghanistan and […]
Being in the military can be hard on a family. There’s a lot of travel and stress. Sometimes relationships just don’t last. Just because you’re in the military doesn’t mean that you can’t get a divorce. However, the process may be a little more challenging than if you were a civilian. One of the most challenging questions for most servicemembers involves where they should get […]
In 2015, a Navy officer’s wife died after falling seven stories from an apartment building in Belgium. For more than two years, the investigation into her death was led by Belgian officials. Navy officials repeatedly declined to take over control of the case, despite evidence suggesting foul play. However, pressure from high-ranking defense officials forced the military to reconsider its position. The United States recently […]
Cyberbullying isn’t explicitly prohibited in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). However, this hasn’t stopped one branch of the military from taking a firm stance in opposition to this type of behavior. As for as the Marine Corps is concerned, cyberbullying is a violation of military law and policy. Leaders within the branch have made it clear that servicemembers who use social media to […]
When you’re injured because of another person’s negligence, you generally have the right to sue that person for compensation. What happens if government or military negligence causes your injury? Can you sue the federal government for your injuries? Thanks to the Federal Tort Claims Act, you may have the right to hold the government responsible. However, whether or not you can sue will ultimately depend […]
It seems like there is a story in the news about police brutality or excessive force every day. Police officers do have fairly broad authority to use some degree of force to do their jobs effectively. However, the Constitution also protects everyday citizens from abuses of power. When police officers cross the line, victims can be seriously hurt. Thanks to Section 1983 of the United […]