Military Law, Military Law Advice, Ask a Lawyer

Ask the Lawyer

"Ask the Lawyer" gives you the chance to ask military law experts questions about legal issues or topics. This is a general information service. Please be aware that the lawyers responding to your questions do not know all the details of your particular situation and, therefore, you should view their responses as information of a general nature and not as legal advice. This service is not a replacement for individual, particularized legal advice from a lawyer, and we encourage you to consult with a lawyer before taking any action based on the answers you receive through this feature.

Ask the Lawyer: When in doubt, don’t wear uniform to off-base events
Q. I am very active in community events off base. How do I know when not to wear my uniform?
Posted Thursday Feb 2, 2012 15:38:55 EST
Ask the Lawyer: Mental illness can complicate legal process, discharges
Q. Can you get punished by the military for suffering from mental illness?
Posted Thursday Jan 19, 2012 15:28:01 EST
Ask The Lawyer: Even legal separation can lead to adultery conviction
Q. Can I be punished for adultery if I am legally separated? Could I be charged with anything else?
Posted Thursday Jan 5, 2012 11:54:09 EST
Ask the lawyer: Desertion conviction could lead to five-year prison term
A. The main difference between being absent without leave and desertion is that the latter requires proof that a service member intended to permanently remain away from his unit or place of duty.
Posted Thursday Dec 22, 2011 11:55:08 EST
Ask the Lawyer: Desertion conviction could lead to 5-year prison term
Q. I've never told anyone I plan to desert the military. So if I don't report for duty for awhile, would the military come after me for AWOL or desertion?
Posted Thursday Dec 22, 2011 11:32:01 EST
Ask the Lawyer: Wounded troops can appeal low disability ratings
Q. I was injured during my last tour in Iraq. I received a 20 percent disability rating through the Physical Evaluation Board process, but this seems very low given the injuries I sustained...
Posted Wednesday Dec 7, 2011 16:41:41 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Move quickly to ensure veterans’ preference honored for fed jobs
Q. I'm interested in entering federal civil service after I leave the military. I know veterans get federal hiring preference, but I know many veterans get passed over for jobs. How do I know...
Posted Friday Nov 25, 2011 11:48:12 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Be careful to use prescription drugs as prescribed
Q. I was prescribed a painkiller for a knee injury. I found the meds helped me sleep better so I used them to knock me out on restless nights. I just took a urinalysis and I am wondering,...
Posted Sunday Oct 30, 2011 12:21:17 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Missing a military movement can land you in hot water
Q. Can I get in trouble if I miss a movement by accident?
Posted Thursday Oct 13, 2011 14:14:23 EDT

Ask The Lawyer: Past alcohol problems needn’t doom security clearance
Q. When I returned from my first deployment in Iraq a few years ago, I started drinking and received nonjudicial punishment for alcohol-related misconduct. I'm still in the military, trying...
Posted Thursday Sep 29, 2011 15:06:33 EDT

Ask The Lawyer: Letter of reprimand needs serious attention
Q. I am an officer and have received a letter of reprimand. What should I do?
Posted Thursday Sep 15, 2011 14:05:58 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Positive drug test may not lead to separation
Q. My drug test came back positive and showed traces of cocaine in my urine. Does this mean my military career is over?
Posted Thursday Sep 1, 2011 11:19:11 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Using social media OK, but be careful what you post
Q. Can I get in trouble for maintaining my Facebook page or using any other social media?
Posted Thursday Aug 18, 2011 11:36:02 EDT

Ask the lawyer: Protective orders issued to protect assault victims
Q. What is a military protective order, and what are the consequences for disobeying one?
Posted Thursday Aug 4, 2011 16:59:07 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Employer cites ‘abandonment,’ denies reservist re-employment
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Jul 21, 2011 14:56:40 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Recruitment paper lies can lead to dishonorable discharge
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Friday Jul 8, 2011 11:50:48 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Promptness Is Key In Article 15 Appeals
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Jun 23, 2011 15:58:12 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: ‘Little white lies’ not worth the risk of an Article 107
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Jun 9, 2011 11:40:19 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Aftermath of sexual assault often hinges on how it’s reported
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday May 26, 2011 11:23:54 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Desertion carries stiffer penalties than AWOL
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday May 12, 2011 9:43:33 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Active-duty divorce? Troops can apply for delay under SCRA
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Apr 28, 2011 15:48:09 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Pop positive? Remain silent and seek counsel
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Apr 14, 2011 14:46:39 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Gray area for separations during DADT repeal process
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Mar 31, 2011 16:52:15 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Learn how to assert your SCRA rights
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Mar 17, 2011 13:38:45 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Concealing a troop’s wrongdoing can bring trouble
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Sunday Mar 6, 2011 17:17:24 EST

Ask the Lawyer: If it’s cruel and abusive, it’s hazing
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Feb 17, 2011 14:03:01 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Caution, common sense key to keeping security clearance
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions
Posted Thursday Feb 3, 2011 13:24:22 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Other-than-honorable, bad-conduct discharges carry similar consequences
There are major differences in the process of how each discharge is reached, but in terms of the end result, an other-than-honorable discharge and a bad-conduct discharge are virtually the same. Both...
Posted Thursday Jan 20, 2011 14:11:38 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Know you want an early out? You’re probably out of luck
Unlike a civilian job, you can't put in your two-week notice and go home if the military isn't for you. It becomes a legal obligation once you sign the contract, and getting out is tough. If it were...
Posted Friday Jan 7, 2011 12:01:20 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Getting back in: How to ask for a re-enlistment code change
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Dec 23, 2010 19:55:22 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Legal substances may still carry consequences for troops
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Dec 9, 2010 15:09:25 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Check to see if Veterans’ Benefits Act affects you
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Friday Nov 26, 2010 17:06:59 EST

Ask the Lawyer: SCRA changes can help troops with cell phone contracts, lawyer fees
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Nov 11, 2010 19:59:11 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Act carefully before responding to questionable order from commander
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Saturday Oct 30, 2010 14:12:23 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Law could help active-duty troops avoid, or at least delay, bankruptcy
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Oct 14, 2010 18:17:19 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: You can appeal if security clearance is revoked
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Friday Oct 1, 2010 14:18:46 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Navigating retirement benefits can be tricky
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Sep 16, 2010 13:00:07 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Families may have claim due to mishandled graves
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Sep 2, 2010 17:19:51 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: How to seek a discharge upgrade
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Wednesday Aug 18, 2010 13:16:55 EDT

Ask The Lawyer: Civilian, military law can intersect in the workplace
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Thursday Aug 5, 2010 14:23:08 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Criticism vs. contempt. When comments cross the line
The answer is not as clear-cut as service members, officers and even attorneys would like, but there are some standards. In such cases, actual comments as well as their setting greatly affect whether...
Posted Friday Jul 23, 2010 12:28:53 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Service members, vets have easier path to citizenship
A: In the last decade, new provisions to the Immigration and Nationality Act have made it easier for service members and veterans to become U.S. citizens.
Posted Thursday Jul 15, 2010 17:15:36 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Re-employment rights apply to federal contractors
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Saturday Apr 3, 2010 12:47:32 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Financial trouble can block path to security clearance
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Saturday Apr 3, 2010 12:00:05 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Freedom of speech isn’t really so for service members
Lawyer Mathew B. Tully answers your questions.
Posted Friday Mar 5, 2010 17:43:11 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Suing the military nearly a lost cause
A. You can sue anybody for anything. Whether you will win and get compensation for your damages is another story.
Posted Friday Jan 8, 2010 11:14:41 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Don’t hire a lawyer to help with VA claims
A. No! In my experience as a disabled veteran and as an attorney, only in rare instances would you need a lawyer to help file a disability claim. And even if legal assistance is...
Posted Friday Jan 8, 2010 11:11:29 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Be upfront, honest in applying for security clearance
As the government expands and the need for access to sensitive information increases, security clearances have become synonymous with government employment and contract work.
Posted Friday Dec 4, 2009 12:34:33 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Commander can set aside Article 15
A. Yes. Military law allows commanders to set aside an Article 15 within a reasonable amount of time after the punishment has been executed. The commander who issued the punishment has complete...
Posted Wednesday Dec 2, 2009 14:25:51 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Fine line between careful inspection and illegal search
A. No, but this really boils down to the highly technical difference between a search and an inspection. Under Military Rule of Evidence 313, an inspection is an examination of people or property...
Posted Wednesday Dec 2, 2009 14:24:03 EST

Ask the Lawyer: Would-be conscientious objectors must follow complex legal path
A conscientious objection is a firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms, by reason of religious, moral or ethical training, and belief.
Posted Tuesday Dec 1, 2009 16:40:10 EST

Ask the Lawyer: First Amendment rights have restrictions — even online
I am often asked whether service members can be prosecuted for comments about their military superiors on sites such as MySpace, Twitter or Facebook.
Posted Wednesday Oct 14, 2009 11:04:36 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Facing disciplinary action? Be sure to weigh options
Sometimes a service member and the command are on opposite sides of an administrative action with implications for career advancement — Article 15s (nonjudicial punishment), administrative...
Posted Monday Sep 28, 2009 10:37:25 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: When can servicemen take paternity leave?
A. Paternity leave is new to the military — so it's not unusual that your unit administrators have difficulty interpreting the regulations. It appears they have their facts wrong.
Posted Saturday Sep 12, 2009 16:12:03 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Know the discharge rankings — and their effects
Life after service should be rewarding. But after you move on from the military, your service record can still have a major impact on the opportunities you'll get in civilian life.
Posted Friday Aug 28, 2009 15:53:57 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Pretrial confinement is a legal punishment
Whenever a question about unlawful command influence crops up among service members facing court-martial, it often leads to a discussion about pretrial punishment and what types of punishment are...
Posted Saturday Aug 15, 2009 10:58:35 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Unlawful command influence
Q. My battalion commander has just issued a policy memo stating that any soldier under his command who commits adultery with a deployed service member's spouse will face at least a special...
Posted Monday Aug 3, 2009 10:44:55 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Think twice about going AWOL
I often receive questions from new service members about the steps they can take to get out of the military before the expiration of their initial enlistment. I also get questions from troops who...
Posted Saturday Jul 18, 2009 15:39:09 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: Know how deployment affects custody and child support
A. Yes and no. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides basic protection against default judgments and stays of court proceedings if you are unavailable to attend court because of your military...
Posted Thursday Jul 9, 2009 15:35:08 EDT

Ask the Lawyer: How pay and benefits are divided in divorce
A. Yes, thanks to the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act, one of the more controversial laws affecting pay and entitlements of military retirees.
Posted Monday Jun 29, 2009 15:30:53 EDT

Know your federal job-preference rights
A. Not true. The Veterans' Preference Act, the federal law that applies to your situation, gives most eligible veterans a five-point preference when applying for any federal jobs. Veterans with...
Posted Thursday Jun 11, 2009 13:23:15 EDT

Disabled vets can get ‘fast track’ to Chapter 7
A. While bankruptcy falls outside the areas of law I practice, I reached out to Matthew E. Faler, a lawyer in Fountain Valley, Calif., for assistance. He tells me you are correct: Being a disabled...
Posted Thursday May 28, 2009 17:31:51 EDT

Know military options when dealing with personal issues
Sometimes personal issues that must be addressed out of uniform call for time away from duty. Here are two examples from readers.
Posted Thursday May 21, 2009 13:57:51 EDT

Take care of legal issues before deployment
Q. What are some of the key legal protections I have when I'm deployed or called to active duty?
Posted Tuesday May 5, 2009 12:58:07 EDT

Make extra effort to prevent child-custody confrontations
The stress of more than seven years of war has led to many military divorces — and many of these divorces involve children.
Posted Wednesday Apr 22, 2009 10:22:18 EDT

Article 32 is broader than grand jury proceeding
One of the best parts of my job is communicating with readers, who are always welcome to e-mail me with legal issues and questions. One frequent reader of this column is retired Brig. Gen. Walter...
Posted Tuesday Apr 7, 2009 11:57:47 EDT

Suing leaders could bring harsh consequences
I received questions this week about recent media reports involving active-duty service members using civilian courts to question the validity of whether Barack Obama is legally qualified to be...
Posted Wednesday Mar 25, 2009 13:31:59 EDT

When commander is wrong, you can seek help
My last column, on the Military Whistleblower Protection Act and Defense Department Directive 7050.6, dealt primarily with situations that do not involve your military commander [ Posted Wednesday Mar 4, 2009 10:20:28 EST

Whistle-blowers protected — if they follow the rules
I often receive calls from service members who are either seeking to report misconduct by a superior or who have already reported misconduct and are suffering reprisals and want to know their legal...
Posted Friday Feb 20, 2009 11:08:58 EST

Military, civilian courts can convict for same DWI offense
I've been getting calls and e-mails lately from service members asking about alcohol- and drug-related offenses.
Posted Tuesday Feb 10, 2009 13:10:33 EST

USERRA can’t protect against all layoffs
It's a tough time for our economy. Unfortunately, layoffs come hand in hand with an economic downturn. And if you're a reserve-component member at a company looking to cut costs through layoffs, this...
Posted Tuesday Jan 27, 2009 11:28:44 EST

How the court-martial process works
In the wake of recent publicity surrounding the controversial court-martial verdict for Army Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez at Fort Bragg, N.C., who was acquitted of murdering two superiors in Iraq,...
Posted Tuesday Jan 13, 2009 10:12:18 EST

How to appeal denial of a security clearance
I was at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M., recently when a young airman recognized me at the base exchange and asked a great question about how to handle a security clearance denial.
Posted Tuesday Dec 30, 2008 12:32:10 EST

New rules spell out when families can take leave
It's been nearly a year since Congress amended the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide greatly expanded rights to the families of service members, including the National Guard and reserve. While...
Posted Tuesday Dec 16, 2008 9:07:47 EST

Veterans exposed to asbestos can’t sue government
Dipping into the mailbag this week for a serious and sad letter about an important health issue.
Posted Tuesday Dec 2, 2008 11:20:49 EST

Spouses get boost to start, continue careers
All of us in uniform know that our families serve our country just as much as we do. Frequent moves can take a big toll on the spouses and children of service members. These issues can range from...
Posted Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 10:22:33 EST

Entry-level separation offers a way out for troubled recruits
Those who have served in uniform for any length of time know that the military is a way of life — not only in terms of its many unique traditions and customs, but also in its separate standards...
Posted Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 13:25:08 EST

How you can — and can’t — be politically active
I was at the Air Force-Navy football game when a friend pointed out a large political sign on a car in the stadium parking lot and asked me if someone in the military was allowed to do that.
Posted Monday Oct 20, 2008 10:44:28 EDT

Child custody issues are best settled out of court
As a member of the armed forces, you have become accustomed to moving from place to place, city to city, country to country. However, if you are a parent who is separated or divorced from your...
Posted Monday Oct 6, 2008 10:46:57 EDT

Less-than-honorable discharge does not have to be permanent
For nearly a decade, with the exception of when I've been deployed, my family has traveled to Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, as our official end-of-summer getaway. My wife and I, now joined by...
Posted Monday Sep 22, 2008 10:53:24 EDT

Tight timelines can squeeze absentee ballots
As the election season gets into full swing, it's important for you and your family to know your legal rights in electing a new commander in chief (a.k.a., the president of the United States of...
Posted Monday Sep 8, 2008 11:10:35 EDT

Civilian defense attorneys at Guantanamo are select group
When I write or talk about being a criminal defense attorney, I'm often asked whether I would defend Osama bin Laden.
Posted Monday Aug 25, 2008 11:06:58 EDT

Commanders’ treatment of deserters varies widely
If you think the military justice system is fair and equal from military installation to military installation, I have news for you.
Posted Monday Aug 11, 2008 11:04:27 EDT

Follow law precisely and it will protect your civilian job
Congress enacted the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act in 1994 as a long-overdue rewrite of the Veterans' Reemployment Rights Act.
Posted Monday Jul 28, 2008 11:16:31 EDT

Mediation may resolve child-custody impasse
Child custody issues can get complicated when they involve members of the military — especially when we are at war. I have seen and heard about numerous cases involving parents called to active...
Posted Monday Jul 14, 2008 11:18:21 EDT

Home ownership builds financial profile, but strings may be attached
The past few years have given young people a unique view of a growing and active real estate market — one that older homeowners know does not remain constant, as shown by the recent housing...
Posted Monday Jun 30, 2008 10:47:40 EDT

Frank, open discussions necessary before marriage
They say love conquers all.
Posted Monday Jun 16, 2008 11:24:04 EDT

Bringing home a bride? Start process early, tread carefully
I often get questions from troops overseas who have met the person they want to marry while on active duty abroad (including the son of one of my law partners, who is currently in Germany).
Posted Monday Jun 2, 2008 11:15:09 EDT

Good-hearted military people help some Afghans, Iraqis enter U.S.
Several months ago, I received a call from a friend, Lt. Col. Robert Milmore, who is assigned to U.S. Central Command.
Posted Monday May 19, 2008 11:11:16 EDT

Help is available for domestic abuse victims
If someone asked you for a definition of domestic violence, you might say it's when one person in a romantic relationship physically abuses the partner.
Posted Monday May 5, 2008 19:37:18 EDT

The nuts and bolts of nonjudicial punishment
Nonjudicial punishment proceedings are known by different terms among the services.
Posted Monday Mar 10, 2008 16:54:27 EDT

Taking leave to help your service member
When President Bush signed the 2008 Defense Authorization Act on Jan. 28, one of the provisions enacted into law is a significant benefit for military families, the Servicemember Family Leave Act.
Posted Monday Feb 25, 2008 12:48:32 EST

Some employees left out of USERRA
Q. I worked as a Transportation Security Administration screener but was recently fired because I took "excessive" amounts of military leave. I thought that the Uniformed Services...
Posted Monday Feb 11, 2008 12:51:17 EST

What you should know before selling your home
Dipping into the mail bag this week ...
Posted Monday Jan 14, 2008 11:02:53 EST

Facing serious charges? You must understand Article 32
After an evening out, a sergeant and his wife return home where their young daughter is being looked after by the 15-year old female babysitter they usually hire. As usual, the sergeant drives her...
Posted Monday Dec 17, 2007 12:55:18 EST

How your disability is rated
A: Before I answer your specific questions, I want to address briefly the procedures involved in reaching the military rating.
Posted Monday Dec 3, 2007 12:55:56 EST

Correcting your official record
A. Many service members have heard of the Board for Corrections of Military Records but have no clue about the important powers of the board or how to place a claim before it.
Posted Monday Nov 19, 2007 12:56:06 EST

The legal fine points of home buying
Dipping into the mail bag this week:
Posted Monday Nov 5, 2007 12:54:44 EST

Handling custody after a divorce
Each state has its own laws on child custody, but generally speaking, there are two forms: legal and physical. Each form of custody provides a parent with different rights, and it's crucial that...
Posted Monday Oct 22, 2007 11:08:26 EDT

When you marry or adopt overseas
Life in the armed forces can be very different from everyday civilian life. Beyond the obvious difference in daily routine and job duties, one finds that their life may go in a slightly different...
Posted Monday Oct 8, 2007 17:04:37 EDT

Is school discriminating against student soldier?
Q. My son, who is 17, recently enlisted in the Army's "split entry" program, which required him to attend basic training after his junior year of high school. He spent the summer in...
Posted Monday Sep 24, 2007 13:46:49 EDT

If you don’t get federal job preference, speak up
I've been getting questions lately on the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, no doubt because my fellow Military Times columnist, retired Coast Guard Command Master Chief Petty Officer Alex...
Posted Monday Sep 17, 2007 13:53:06 EDT

Private lawyer is best option for gay troop’s estate planning
Q I am in the military and I am gay. It is my desire to leave my estate, to include my remains, to my partner rather than to my family members. I have chosen not to have my will...
Posted Monday Sep 10, 2007 13:49:53 EDT

Estate planning: What you need to know
Q. A military attorney prepared a basic will, health care proxy and power of attorney for me, but I'm not exactly sure what each of these documents does for me. Can you explain the purpose of each...
Posted Tuesday Sep 4, 2007 17:28:30 EDT

Know the right thing to do when your drug test is wrong
It happens every morning in the military — a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine gets the call that their Social Security number came up and it's time for a unit urinalysis.
Posted Monday Aug 27, 2007 13:48:26 EDT

Watch what you say: Speech limits under UCMJ
Q: I am currently on active duty and I want to get involved in politics. Can I?
Posted Monday Aug 27, 2007 12:22:38 EDT

How to appeal disability ratings
My last article provided some helpful hints on how to get a Veterans Affairs Department rating for injuries that occurred while you were in uniform. But what if VA did not give you the rating you...
Posted Tuesday Aug 14, 2007 14:10:42 EDT

Hiring a lawyer is strictly optional for filing VA claim
Q I just left active duty and I have some minor unresolved medical issues. I have been told to file a claim with the Veterans Affairs Department for disability compensation. Do I need a lawyer to...
Posted Monday Aug 13, 2007 13:43:48 EDT

USERRA offers invaluable protection for reservists
With the deployment of hundreds of thousands of National Guard and reserve members in the past few years — and with more than 81,000 mobilized today — the Uniformed Services Employment...
Posted Wednesday Aug 1, 2007 8:34:04 EDT

Returning to work after a disabling injury
One of the more common questions I've gotten since this column began is from reservists who have been injured in service. They want to know how their injury will affect their return to their civilian...
Posted Monday Jul 30, 2007 13:42:03 EDT

Conviction is not end of military legal road
So you've been convicted at court-martial. What options do you have?
Posted Monday Jul 30, 2007 12:35:43 EDT

Ins and outs of retirement pay and divorce
If you read my last column, I have probably already answered your questions about whether your spouse, or soon-to-be former spouse, is entitled to a percentage of your military retired pay and if so,...
Posted Monday Jul 16, 2007 14:00:26 EDT

Law gives former spouses certain rights
The first e-mail that I received after starting this column was about the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act — and the e-mails have not stopped since. Those who are unfamiliar...
Posted Monday Jul 16, 2007 12:24:34 EDT

How USERRA protects National Guard technicians
Dipping into the mail bag this week:
Posted Monday Jul 2, 2007 21:00:16 EDT

Know the limits of USERRA law
The information in this column is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Readers are encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney or other...
Posted Monday Jul 2, 2007 13:32:39 EDT

Discuss USERRA violations with employer before calling an attorney
Q: I work for a company that employs 23 people. I was deployed for 18 months. I feel my employer has violated USERRA. Should I hire a local attorney?
Posted Monday Jun 18, 2007 11:27:52 EDT

What to do when you’re read your rights
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you've been read your Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 31 rights — the equivalent of a civilian's Miranda rights — here's the first...
Posted Monday Jun 18, 2007 11:25:22 EDT

Put affairs in order before you deploy
So you've received the call to deploy. You have many tasks to complete before you leave— including a number of personal legal affairs.
Posted Monday Jun 4, 2007 11:32:39 EDT

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