How Administrative Actions Follow You After Leaving the Military – Court Martial Attorneys
Why Administrative Actions Don’t End When Your Service Ends
Many service members mistakenly believe that once they separate from the military, all past administrative actions—such as Letters of Reprimand (LORs), GOMORs, adverse evaluations, NJP/Article 15s, ADSEP/BOI results, or QMP disqualifications—will disappear into the past. Unfortunately, this is not true. Administrative actions can follow you for years, affecting your federal-employment prospects, security clearances, VA benefits, retirement eligibility, and even future background investigations for civilian careers.
Administrative actions are often more damaging than many court-martial convictions because they linger quietly in official records and background systems. These actions can shape how government agencies, employers, and credentialing bodies perceive your credibility, integrity, and suitability—even long after you’ve left active service.
Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law has helped thousands of service members mitigate, reverse, or overcome the long-term consequences of LORs, BOIs, NJPs, adverse paperwork, and unfavorable discharge characterizations. Michael and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington are internationally recognized for defending careers both inside and beyond military service.
Administrative Actions That Stay in Your Military Record
Administrative actions that may follow you after separation include:
- LORs / GOMORs (especially permanently filed reprimands)
- NJP / Article 15s and associated punishment summaries
- Negative OERs/NCOERs/EPRs/FITREPs
- Adverse counseling statements
- BOI / ADSEP / Separation Board findings
- QMP denial of continued service
- Security-clearance revocations or suspensions
- Relief-for-cause memoranda
- Command investigations (AR 15-6, JAGMAN, IG)
- Mental health flags or PRP disqualifications
These documents remain part of your official record and are frequently requested or accessed by government agencies, hiring managers, investigators, and credentialing authorities.
How Long Do Administrative Actions Stay in Your Records?
It depends on the branch and type of action:
- Permanently filed LORs/GOMORs – remain indefinitely unless removed by DASEB or other review boards
- Article 15s – may remain in OMPF/PRDA depending on grade and regulation
- Negative evaluations – always remain in the record
- BOI/ADSEP results – permanently recorded in personnel files
- Security-clearance records – retained in DISS/Scattered Castles
These records follow you even if you transition to the IRR, retire, or separate with an Honorable discharge.
How Administrative Actions Affect Civilian Life After Separation
1. Federal Employment Background Checks
Most federal agencies—including DHS, DoD, DOJ, FBI, TSA, and VA—conduct thorough background investigations. They request your service record, including:
- Discharge characterization
- Official reprimands
- ADSEP/BOI results
- Security-clearance suspensions
- Performance evaluations
- Adverse counseling and misconduct findings
Even if you were never court-martialed, administrative actions may disqualify you from certain GS positions or law-enforcement roles.
2. Security Clearances (DISS & Scattered Castles)
The Defense Information Security System (DISS) retains data about:
- Clearance denials
- Suspensions
- Revocations
- Incident reports
- Command security concerns
These follow you into civilian contracting or government employment. A reprimand for misconduct—especially involving integrity or personal behavior—can undermine clearance eligibility for years.
3. VA Benefits and Character of Service Determinations
When you apply for VA benefits, the VA conducts its own “character of service review.” Adverse records may lead to:
- Benefit denials
- Delays in disability compensation
- Requests for documents related to misconduct
- Scrutiny of QMP/BOI/ADSEP files
Even a General discharge may trigger additional VA review.
4. Professional Licensure and Background Checks
State licensing boards (healthcare, teaching, law enforcement, legal professions, insurance, etc.) often require:
- Complete military service record
- Copies of reprimands, NJP, ADSEP decisions
- Character references
Unfavorable administrative records can jeopardize a license or certification.
5. Civilian Employers’ “Prior Service” Screening
Many employers ask:
- “Were you ever disciplined in the military?”
- “Were you ever the subject of an investigation?”
- “Why did you separate?”
Providing misleading answers can be considered fraud, while honest answers may require explanation supported by legal strategy.
6. Government Contractor Suitability Determinations
Contractors often use DoD adjudication standards. Any administrative actions related to:
- Integrity
- Sexual misconduct
- Harassment
- Violence
- Alcohol abuse
- Leadership issues
can negatively impact suitability determinations—even when unrelated to job duties.
Administrative Actions and Your Discharge Characterization
Your discharge characterization—Honorable, General, or OTH—remains part of your DD-214 forever unless upgraded. Administrative actions often influence this characterization.
- Honorable: Best outcome; required for many federal and civilian benefits
- General (Under Honorable Conditions): Significant limitations—especially GI Bill loss
- Other Than Honorable (OTH): Career-ending and damaging in civilian life
Commands often use admin actions to justify harsher discharge statuses during separation.
How to Mitigate Long-Term Damage from Administrative Actions
1. Remove or Modify Reprimands
Through processes like:
- DASEB appeals (Army)
- Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR)
- Navy/Marine Corps BCNR
- Air Force Board of Correction (AFBCMR)
A successful appeal can remove or downgrade damaging paperwork.
2. Appeal Discharge Characterization
You can request a discharge upgrade based on:
- Procedural errors
- Unfair characterization
- Ineffective counsel
- New evidence
- PTSD/TBI/mental health considerations
3. Correct Errors in Official Records
BCMRs and DRBs can remove:
- Negative evaluations
- Unfair flags
- Incorrect summaries in personnel files
- Misleading remarks
4. Build a Civilian Narrative to Offset Damage
Post-service achievements, community involvement, civilian career success, and positive references can mitigate negative military records when applying for jobs or clearances.
5. Consult an Attorney Before Filling Out Background Forms
Legal counsel can help you answer questions truthfully without volunteering unnecessary damaging details.
Why Choose Gonzalez & Waddington
Our firm specializes in defending service members during and after their military careers. We provide:
- Expert representation in separation boards and BOIs
- Appeals for discharge upgrades and record corrections
- Security-clearance mitigation strategies
- Civilian employment defense and suitability guidance
- Narrative development for background investigations
Michael and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington are trusted worldwide for protecting military reputations long after service ends.
Contact Our Military Administrative Defense Team
If administrative actions are threatening your career—or if you left the military and are now facing fallout—it is not too late. We can help you fight back, clear your record, and rebuild your future.
Administrative Actions After Service – Frequently Asked Questions
Do LORs, GOMORs, or NJPs stay in my record forever?
Permanently filed reprimands, NJPs, and adverse evaluations remain indefinitely unless removed by a correction board. These can reappear during background checks or federal hiring processes years after separation.
Can administrative actions affect my VA benefits?
Yes. The VA conducts its own character-of-service review and may deny benefits if administrative actions indicate misconduct or poor service characterization—especially OTH discharges.
Will prior administrative actions hurt my chances of getting a security clearance later?
They can. Clearance investigators review your entire military history—including reprimands, separations, and adverse paperwork. Mitigation strategies and legal advocacy can reduce the impact.
Why hire Gonzalez & Waddington?
Because long after the military is over, administrative actions can still threaten your livelihood. Michael & Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington specialize in eliminating, correcting, and mitigating these actions so you can move forward with confidence.
