Fort Bragg GOMOR Rebuttal Lawyers – Military Defense Attorneys for General Officer Memorandums of Reprimand

If you are stationed at Fort Bragg and received a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR), you are facing one of the most destructive administrative actions in the Army. A GOMOR can derail promotions, trigger QMP review, end your career, revoke your clearance, destroy your reputation, and lead directly to administrative separation. Even without a court-martial or Article 15, a permanent GOMOR can function as a career death sentence. If you received a GOMOR—whether filed locally or permanently—contact Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607. Our civilian military defense lawyers represent Soldiers worldwide and understand the unique Fort Bragg command climate where GOMOR issuance is extremely common.

Fort Bragg’s leadership environment is one of the most intense in the U.S. Army. Units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and supporting brigades operate under immense scrutiny. Commanders are under pressure to respond aggressively to allegations, and GOMORs are often used as quick, decisive punishment—even when the evidence is weak, incomplete, or taken out of context. Many Soldiers receive GOMORs not because they did something wrong, but because leadership wants to appear tough on discipline.

This page explains how GOMORs work at Fort Bragg, why they are so dangerous, how they are misused, and how to build a powerful rebuttal that protects your career. It is the most comprehensive Fort Bragg-specific GOMOR guide available, designed to help Soldiers understand what they are facing and how to fight back.

Official installation details can be found via home.army.mil/bragg and local context is available at fayettevillenc.gov.

Understanding GOMORs at Fort Bragg

What Is a GOMOR?

A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand is an administrative reprimand issued by a general officer. It is not criminal, but the consequences can be more damaging than some UCMJ punishments. A GOMOR can be filed in one of two ways:

• Locally-filed: stays in your local file and eventually disappears when you PCS or ETS.
• Permanently-filed: placed in the Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR), viewable by promotion boards, QMP review panels, and future assignments.

Most Fort Bragg GOMORs end up permanently filed because commands believe this will “send a message.” Without a strong rebuttal, that is exactly what will happen.

Why GOMORs Are So Dangerous

Unlike Article 15 or court-martial, a GOMOR does not follow strict rules of evidence. Hearsay, unreliable statements, rumors, 15-6 summaries, or police reports can all be used as a basis to reprimand you. Even if an allegation is weak or unproven, leaders may issue a GOMOR under the belief that “something happened.” Your rebuttal must be powerful enough to counteract that assumption.

The Fort Bragg Command Climate

Fort Bragg is known for being one of the most aggressive installations in the country when it comes to issuing GOMORs. Reasons include:

• Desire to protect the reputation of elite units
• Fear of public criticism for underreacting
• Pressure from SHARP, EO, or safety campaigns
• Commanders wanting to remove “problem Soldiers” quickly
• Use of GOMORs as shortcuts to separation

Because the “standard of proof” is whatever the general officer decides it is, Soldiers often receive GOMORs based on flawed assumptions or incomplete investigations.

How GOMORs Start at Fort Bragg

1. AR 15-6 Investigations

The vast majority of Fort Bragg GOMORs originate from command-directed AR 15-6 investigations. These investigations are frequently:

• Superficial or rushed
• Biased or incomplete
• Conducted by inexperienced Investigating Officers
• Based on hearsay rather than evidence

Despite these flaws, the IO’s findings often become the core justification for issuing a GOMOR.

2. Civilian Arrests in Fayetteville

Domestic disputes, DUI arrests, altercations downtown, sexual misconduct allegations, and other incidents handled by Fayetteville police often result in GOMORs—regardless of whether the Soldier is convicted or charges are dismissed.

3. SHARP or EO Complaints

Even when complaints are unsubstantiated, commands may issue GOMORs “to be safe” or “to protect the unit.” This can lead to unjust, career-destroying reprimands.

4. Command Perception of Poor Judgment

Many GOMORs at Fort Bragg are issued not for crimes but for perceived lapses in judgment—alcohol misuse, inappropriate conversations, relationship drama, or violations of command policies.

Consequences of a GOMOR at Fort Bragg

Permanently-Filed GOMORs

These have devastating consequences:

• Permanent record notation
• Promotion denial
• QMP separation
• Loss of special duty positions
• Career stagnation
• Stigma within the unit

For NCOs and officers, a permanent GOMOR is often the beginning of the end—unless the rebuttal saves them.

Locally-Filed GOMORs

Commands sometimes offer local filing as a “mercy option.” Even locally-filed GOMORs can influence evaluations, assignments, and decisions about school attendance and leadership placement.

Administrative Separation

After a GOMOR is filed, commands frequently initiate separation boards or BOIs. This pipeline is one of the most common elimination pathways at Fort Bragg.

Security Clearance Impact

GOMORs involving alcohol, sexual misconduct, dishonesty, violence, or integrity issues almost always trigger clearance review or suspension.

The GOMOR Rebuttal Process

Notification

Once you receive the GOMOR, you are informed of the intent to file it locally or permanently.

Response Window

Soldiers typically have 7 days to submit a rebuttal, though extensions can be requested. This short timeline is why immediate action is essential.

Rebuttal Submission

The rebuttal must be persuasive, fact-driven, and supported by evidence. Generic statements or emotional pleas fail. The goal is to convince the general officer that the reprimand is unjust, unsupported, or excessive.

General Officer Decision

The GCMCA decides whether the GOMOR is filed locally, permanently, or withdrawn entirely.

How Gonzalez & Waddington Craft Winning Fort Bragg GOMOR Rebuttals

1. Dissecting the Underlying Investigation

We examine the AR 15-6, CID reports, police records, and witness statements for errors, biases, and contradictions. Many GOMORs are based on flimsy foundations.

2. Constructing a Narrative That Counters the Allegation

The general officer must see the full truth—not the one-sided narrative presented by the chain of command. We explain the context, pressures, relationships, misunderstandings, and factual inconsistencies that undermine the accusation.

3. Presenting Compelling Evidence

This includes:

• Witness statements
• Character letters
• Awards and evaluations
• Deployment history
• Digital evidence
• Chronologies and timelines

Evidence is organized for maximum persuasive impact.

4. Humanizing the Soldier

We highlight service, sacrifice, leadership, family impact, stressors, and overall value to the Army. General officers must see the person—not just the allegation.

5. Challenging the Proposed Filing

Even if a GOMOR is issued, it does NOT have to be filed permanently. We argue aggressively for local filing or complete withdrawal based on fairness, proportionality, and evidence.

Fort Bragg-Specific Realities of GOMOR Cases

High-Tempo Units Lead to High-Emotion Conflicts

Many GOMORs arise from emotional incidents caused by stress, exhaustion, or misunderstandings rather than criminal conduct.

Fayetteville Civilian System Influence

Even dismissed civilian allegations often lead to GOMORs. The Army views civilian involvement as an embarrassment.

Commanders Want “Clean Files”

During deployments, command transitions, or IG inspections, leaders sometimes issue GOMORs broadly to show corrective action.

GOMORs Used as “Risk Elimination Tools”

When commands lose trust, even unfairly, they frequently use GOMORs to justify separation boards.

How Domestic Conflicts Turn Into GOMORs

Accusations Triggering SHARP, EO, or DV Reviews

Relationship disputes often turn into alleged misconduct when one partner calls the police or seeks leverage during conflict.

Emotional Statements Misclassified

Statements said in anger or frustration are often treated as factual admissions.

Police Reports Treated as Absolute Truth

Fayetteville police reports are frequently accepted at face value, even when contradicted by bodycam footage or later statements.

How Alcohol-Related Incidents Create GOMORs

Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct

Soldiers returning from clubs or bars downtown may be reprimanded even when no criminal charges stick.

DUI Arrests

Commands almost always issue GOMORs for DUI allegations—even when Soldiers beat the civilian case.

Misconduct Linked to Social Gatherings

Barracks parties, airborne celebrations, unit events, and off-post gatherings often involve alcohol, leading to misunderstandings.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations and GOMORs

GOMORs as “Alternatives” to Court-Martial

When allegations are too weak for court-martial, commands often issue GOMORs anyway, claiming “substantiated concerns.”

SHARP-Driven Pressure

Political pressure results in leaders erring on the side of reprimand, regardless of inconsistencies in the evidence.

Improper Use of GOMORs at Fort Bragg

Using GOMORs to Avoid Court-Martial Burdens

Commands sometimes issue GOMORs when they know they cannot win a trial but still want to punish the Soldier.

Using GOMORs to Justify Eliminations

A permanent GOMOR is often used to support separation boards or BOIs.

Using GOMORs Without Proper Evidence

Some GOMORs are based entirely on rumor or preliminary findings, not concrete proof.

Winning Strategies for GOMOR Rebuttals

Strategy 1: Reframe the Narrative

We present the facts in context, showing why the allegation is exaggerated, misinterpreted, or false.

Strategy 2: Attack Procedural Flaws

Improper investigations, biased IOs, and incomplete inquiries must be exposed.

Strategy 3: Use Character and Service Record

Soldiers with strong histories can overcome accusations if the rebuttal clearly articulates their value.

Strategy 4: Highlight Inconsistencies

Contradictory witness statements, timeline gaps, and digital evidence all undermine the government’s case.

Strategy 5: Present Mitigation and Rehabilitation

When misconduct did occur, mitigation arguments can lead to local filing instead of permanent filing.

Pro Tips for Fort Bragg GOMOR Rebuttals

Tip 1: Do Not Admit Fault

Admitting wrongdoing when you did nothing wrong is fatal. The rebuttal must be strategic—not apologetic unless appropriate.

Tip 2: Preserve Evidence Early

Save texts, phone logs, screenshots, photos, and any timelines.

Tip 3: Avoid Emotional Responses

GOMOR rebuttals must be professional and fact-driven.

Tip 4: Work With Civilian Counsel

Civilian defense lawyers provide independent, expert-level rebuttals that commands cannot ignore.

Tip 5: Focus on What the General Officer Cares About

Truth, fairness, context, and your value to the Army—not emotional stories—drive outcomes.

Connection to the Fort Bragg Military Justice Hub

This page is part of the Fort Bragg legal defense library, alongside pages covering Article 15, separation boards, BOIs, Article 120, Article 128, domestic violence, child pornography allegations, and command-directed investigations. Together, these resources provide a complete system for defending Soldiers at Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg Military Lawyers

If you are stationed at Fort Bragg and received a GOMOR, you must fight it. Do not assume the reprimand is final or that you cannot change the outcome. Contact Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607 for a confidential consultation. We are ready to build a powerful rebuttal that protects your career and your future.