Board of Inquiry - Show Cause Action - Probationary Officer

BOARD OF INQUIRY (BOI) - SHOW CAUSE ACTION - PROBATIONARY OFFICER RECEIVES HONORABLE DISCHARGE

Matter:

Probationary Army Officer Show Cause Action (BOI), including allegations of Misconduct and Conduct Unbecoming (DWI) and Substandard Performance

Service:

This was a case of a Dental Officer who was already going out on an Honorable because he couldn't pass his final licensing exams. The Army had brought him on board with the understanding that he had to pass those exams within a year's time in order to become fully credentialed (licensed). When he couldn't, the Army started elimination action for substandard performance IAW AR 600-8-24. But shortly into that process, our client was stopped on post by MPs for suspicion of DWI. No charge was ever formally filed, and the evidence was questionable. But as is almost always the case these days - his CG issued a GOMOR (General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand), directed filing in the AMHRR, and the servicing SJA office recommended a Show Cause action for misconduct. (Did I say no formal charge was ever filed???). So now he was in jeopardy of going out with a less than honorable characterization of service for being a bad actor. Not necessarily career enhancing in the civilian world.

Our client was adamant that he was not driving while impaired. A forthright medical specialist, of good character and integrity, our client did, however, lack experience and a firm understanding of the service's climate and culture. He needed help to restore his confidence and provide a dignified, honorable exit plan which preserved future opportunities.

Summary:

We fought this Show Cause action locally, and then up to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA - Special Review Boards/ARBA) level over the course of six months. Thankfully, the ASA directed an honorable discharge.

Result:

Client Dentist started a new civilian job within a month of the ASA's decision with a civilian dentist who will provide all necessary supervision and oversight until such time as our client enters a fellowship program with another professional sometime next year. If client does well in both places - with both Docs - he'll be fully licensed, credentialed and accredited under the laws of his jurisdiction. Perhaps more importantly, however, our client was able to walk away from his relatively brief active duty military career with his head up and honor and dignity intact.

Highlights:

Please call us at 214-363-1828 or email at info@meililaw.com for further details and contact information.

References:

I contacted Col. Meili as a fellow practitioner to gain some context and perspective on a pretty complex set of issues. Because I practice in a different field of law, Col. Meili's extensive expertise was invaluable and he was more than generous with his time. A skilled and dedicated professional who cares deeply about obtaining the best possible outcome for his clients, Bill's a leader in this field.

- Steffen Chapin


After an exhaustive search of military attorneys, I came across the name of Bill Meili. From my first email exchange and telephone call, I knew that Bill was the right person to handle my case. I had discussed my unique circumstance with a handful of other attorneys who felt it may be too difficult to achieve the outcome that I was seeking - but Bill was interested in me and my case, and wholeheartedly believed that we had the ball in our court. I could tell that Bill cared about me as a person and soldier, not just viewing me as a paycheck.

- Anonymous