Hardship Discharge Case Studies Hardship Discharge Representation for Pregnancy and ParenthoodHardship Discharge Representation - Pregnancy / Parenthood - Case Study #2 MatterFemale Officer requests Hardship Discharge for Pregnancy/Parenthood. ServiceArmy Reserve SummaryThis case involved fighting for a request for a hardship discharge based on Pregnancy / Parenthood. Client, a Female Officer, Troop Program Unit (TPU) Army Reserve, was pregnant and desired to transfer to the IRR and be discharged. Her unit however failed to counsel her properly about all of her available options in accordance with applicable Military Regulations. She'd made several attempts herself over a period of about 7 months to obtain the unit's full cooperation, but for a number of reasons, she met with continuous resistance. It appeared that her chain of command was simply unaware of the proper procedures available to process her request. No one appeared to know exactly what to do. The upshot was something akin to a stalemate – or a lose/lose situation for both the client and the unit. Our Client contacted us not long before her due date. We were able to use our experience in the administrative discharge arena to identify the problem, and then roll out a proposed solution. With some well-placed suggestions up and down the Client’s chain, the command reviewed the regulations, considered our proposed course of action, and presented a mutually acceptable compromise to the stalemate. We had crafted a sound, winning argument that apparently triggered a suitable compromise which worked in everyone's best interests. And then we followed through, staying on target and remaining in close contact with decision makers up and down the chain of command until her honorable discharge orders were published at the highest levels of the Army Reserve force structure. ResultThe Client's resignation was approved and she received an honorable discharge. HighlightsHitting the right notes with the right people to help fix a situation which had become rather tangled and messy. Medical Officer Requests DischargeHardship Discharge Representation Case Study #1 MatterMedical Officer (Doctor) requests discharge for Hardship/ Inability to form a family care plan. ServiceArmy SummaryThis case involved fighting for a request for discharge based on Extreme Hardship. Using his experience with Administrative Discharge Boards while serving as a Military Lawyer, Bill Meili has successfully defended many service members who find themselves with family, financial or personal hardship. Client was a Medical Officer who had gone through a bitter divorce. He had twice submitted his unqualified resignation but had heard nothing back from his higher headquarters when he contacted us. In the meantime, he was struggling as a custodial parent with producing a workable family care plan should his unit deploy. Additionally, because he had a special needs child, it was critical for him to be with his family. When he contacted our office, our experience as administrative discharge lawyers, and military lawyers with extensive experience with all aspects of the administrative discharge process enabled us to roll up our sleeves as an advocate for his family. At our suggestion, the children were effectively evaluated, physically, mentally and emotionally. Our client collected the documents necessary for us to best speak on his behalf, and we drafted a winning Hardship Discharge Brief and then lobbied on our client's behalf up and down his chain of command. ResultThe Client's resignation was approved and he was discharged Honorably from further military service. HighlightsOur ability to use our experience with requests for Administrative type discharges and Hardship Cases in particular as a military lawyer, to help a Medical Officer (Doctor) and father make it through an extremely difficult time in his life and in the lives of his two children. ReferencesPlease call us at 214-363-1828 or email us at meililaw1@gmail.com for further details and contact information. |
