An Administrative Discharge Has Serious Long-Term Consequences

This approach is unfortunate, because separation boards have lifelong consequences every bit as serious as a court-martial conviction. Not only will you lose your job, but an Other than Honorable Discharge deprives a service member of almost all veterans’ benefits, including your G.I. Bill, VA loan, eligibility for student loans and other government programs. It will also make it extremely difficult for you to obtain employment in the future. In fact, one study found that employers were less likely to hire a service member who had “Other-than-Honorable Discharge” than they were a service member with a court-martial conviction and Bad Conduct Discharge. For senior military members, an administrative discharge represents not only these losses, but also the loss of the retirement that you have spent your entire military career earning.

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If you are facing an administrative separation board, you need an administrative separation attorney who is willing to fight for you to stay in or receive an Honorable discharge. Many JAG attorneys see an administrative separation board as a losing battle. They advise their clients that they cannot win or fighting is not the best option. These attorneys are not willing to fight for the service member. Attorney Cheryl Van Ackeren is passionate about fighting for service members. As a former service member, Cheryl understands how the military can quickly turn its back and continue to kick a service member until they feel like just giving in. She knows how to approach the cases to the board members so that the best possible case is put before them. Don’t leave your military career to chance, call administrative separation lawyer Cheryl Van Ackeren now!