
An Administrative Separation Board, also known as a discharge board or ADSEP board, is a formal legal proceeding within the U.S. military justice system. An ADSEP board reviews testimony and evidence much like a judge or jury in a civilian court. Enlisted service members facing this complex and stressful process should contact an experienced Fort Knox enlisted separation boards lawyer for help.
Because the U.S. Army processes many administrative separation actions through Fort Knox, Kentucky, enlisted soldiers across the region often find themselves needing knowledgeable legal representation in the Fort Knox area. Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, is proud to represent the men and women who have served faithfully in the armed forces and now face the shock of unexpected separation proceedings.
According to a veteran’s advocacy group, around 200,000 service members are discharged per year, with 0.49% and 0.07% of service members receiving a discharge for bad conduct or dishonorable conduct, respectively. Like any other job situation, a military career can turn sour in an instant based on the situations and people around you. The possibility of facing a separation board hangs over every enlisted person’s military career.
The stakes of an Administrative Separation Board proceeding for an enlisted soldier, sailor, airman, marine, or Department of Defense employee are sometimes significantly higher than those for someone facing the prospect of losing their job in the civilian world. If an ADSEP board ends your service with an other than honorable discharge designation, for example, the potential ramifications can be serious, including:
If you are preparing for an enlisted separation board or you’re unsure how to respond to a pending inquiry, it’s important to hire an enlisted separation boards lawyer. Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, brings extensive experience with military administrative law and understands how to present your service record, mitigating factors, and evidence in the strongest possible light.
The Department of Defense and Army regulations provide comprehensive guidelines as to when, how, and why an enlisted service member may be put before a board for potential dismissal. Understanding the full breadth of these rules can be extremely daunting for someone with no legal training. Working with a reputable ADSEP lawyer gives you access to someone who can contextualize your side of the story in a way that satisfies these complicated government rules.
You sacrificed to serve your country. You shouldn’t allow a single incident, misunderstanding, or unfair allegation to erase years of honorable service. Although ADSEP cases differ from civilian criminal or civil matters, you still have meaningful legal options
Fort Knox ADSEP cases are generally heard at the 25 W. Chaffee Avenue or Spearhead Division Avenue locations.
An Administrative Separation Board case is a legal process specific to enlisted personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces. This makes your ADSEP case a federal matter, and not subject to Kentucky state laws. However, there is a special connection between the ADSEP process and the Fort Knox area.
Within the United States Army, separation actions are referred to the military command at Fort Knox. This means that a separate, parallel legal system for enlisted soldiers and other Army personnel is playing out alongside the divorces, parole hearings, custody battles, and high-stakes criminal cases in Kentucky’s other courtrooms every single day. Each case demands a very specific type of lawyer, including your enlisted ADSEP case.
ADSEP procedures vary by rank, years of service, and the alleged basis for separation. It’s also important to note that ADSEP proceedings are typically for enlisted personnel, while commissioned officers facing dismissal will be subject to a different inquiry process. More serious allegations may also trigger court-martial proceedings.
An enlisted separation board is a legal process used to determine whether someone should be dismissed from military service. It might be required for service members at Fort Knox under a range of potential circumstances, per Department of Defense rules. A trusted Fort Knox separation board lawyer like Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, can help you make sense of your unique ADSEP case.
An enlisted service member has certain rights during a separation board hearing, although these are not the same as the rights enjoyed by defendants in civil or criminal trials in the civilian world. One important right that transcends the boundaries between civilian and military courts is your right to be represented by a qualified and dedicated attorney.
The types of discharge characterizations that can result from an enlisted separation board include other than honorable, general, and honorable separations. Being discharged with an other than honorable designation can have significant effects on your material situation and future well-being. It also cuts you off from valuable VA benefits and other support down the line.
A Fort Knox enlisted separation boards lawyer can help protect a service member’s military career and benefits in much the same way a civilian attorney helps clients protect their rights, freedom, and property in court. Your lawyer will use strong evidence and testimony to tell your side of the story in a compelling and legally satisfying way. When successful, this can mitigate the potential consequences of an ADSEP proceeding, such as a general, rather than other than honorable discharge status.
Facing a board that can permanently shape your future is overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. If you are an enlisted service member dealing with an Administrative Separation Board at Fort Knox, experienced and local legal help is available. Contact our offices as soon as possible to get the process started with a free consultation.
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