How to Build a Winning Retention Packet for BOI, ADSEP & Separation Boards – Court Martial Attorneys

Your Retention Packet Is the Most Important Weapon You Have

When facing a Board of Inquiry (BOI), Administrative Separation Board (ADSEP), or enlisted Separation Board, the government will present a narrative designed to eliminate you from military service. Your retention packet is your best opportunity to counter that narrative and prove that you deserve to continue serving. A strong retention packet can often overcome weak allegations, biased investigations, and politically motivated command actions.

Whether you are an officer fighting a BOI, a Sailor or Marine fighting ADSEP, or an NCO or enlisted Soldier or Airman fighting separation, the retention packet is the heart of your defense. It is the board’s only real insight into your entire career—not just the allegation being used to remove you.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law has built thousands of winning retention packets across every branch of service. Michael and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington are internationally known for saving careers through aggressive administrative defense, narrative strategy, and meticulous evidence development.

What a Retention Packet Must Accomplish

A winning retention packet must do three things:

• Reframe the allegations with context, truth, and rebuttal evidence
• Demonstrate long-term value to the service through awards, evaluations, and leadership impact
• Establish credibility and character through statements, testimonials, and professional achievements

Boards respond to well-organized, clearly framed, and visually compelling retention packets that show who the service member truly is—not just what the government claims they did wrong.

Essential Components of a Winning Retention Packet

1. Master Retention Memorandum (Your Primary Narrative)

This is your central document—usually 3–7 pages—telling your story. It should include:

• A concise explanation of events
• Key clarifications or corrections
• Evidence of misunderstanding, exaggeration, or flawed investigations
• Mitigating circumstances (without excuses)
• Your service history and accomplishments
• A compelling case for retention

The tone must be professional, humble, and grounded in evidence—not emotional or defensive.

2. Awards, Decorations & Service Achievements

Boards weigh hard-earned achievements heavily. Include:

• Medals and commendations
• Deployment awards
• Combat citations
• Service ribbons
• Special qualifications and badges
• Certificates of achievement

Provide copies and a summary explaining each item’s significance.

3. Full Evaluation Record (OER/NCOER/EPR/FITREP Summary)

Your evaluation history shows consistency and professionalism over time. Include:

• Recent and past evaluation reports
• Promotion recommendations
• Senior-rater comments
• Leadership assessments
• Any evaluations that dispute the misconduct allegations

Highlight patterns of superior performance and reliability.

4. Character Statements From People Who Know You Well

The best character letters come from individuals with credibility, personal knowledge, and command respect. Ideal letter writers include:

• Supervisors, platoon leaders, or company commanders
• First sergeants, senior NCOs, or Chiefs
• Peers or fellow officers
• Subordinates who voluntarily support you
• Chaplains, medical doctors, and community leaders

Character statements should be specific, personal, and focused on integrity, professionalism, leadership, and reliability.

5. Rebuttal Evidence Against the Allegations

Depending on the case, include:

• Text messages or emails proving context
• Statements contradicting the investigation
• Expert opinions (digital forensics, medical, psychological, etc.)
• Witness statements undermining government claims
• Documentation showing a flawed or biased investigation

This section must be organized logically, not dumped into the packet without explanation.

6. Mission Impact Documentation

Boards want to know whether retaining you benefits the force. Include:

• Evidence of leadership excellence
• Training accomplishments
• Operational contributions
• Critical MOS/AFSC/Rating shortages you fill
• Statements showing your positive impact on mission readiness

7. Community and Volunteer Contributions

Include evidence of outreach, mentorship, and off-duty service such as:

• Volunteer certificates
• Coaching or mentoring activities
• Community awards
• Professional or educational achievements

Boards weigh character heavily. Community evidence builds positive impressions.

8. Medical or Behavioral Health Evidence (If Relevant)

In cases involving stress reactions, trauma, PTSD, TBI, or medical events, include:

• Diagnosis documentation
• Provider letters
• Treatment summaries
• Line-of-duty determinations

Boards often misunderstand medical context without proper presentation.

9. Retirement Eligibility & Service Continuity Argument

If you are close to retirement, include:

• RCSBP/retirement point summary
• Financial impact of losing retirement
• Documentation of years served
• Career field shortages or mission necessity

Retirement proximity is a major consideration for retention.

How to Organize a Retention Packet for Maximum Impact

1. Use a Clear Table of Contents

A retention board may review hundreds of pages in minutes. The packet must be navigable.

2. Use Section Tabs and Color Coding

This makes it easy for board members to find key information quickly.

3. Include a One-Page Executive Summary

This summary should outline:

• Your career highlights
• Your value to the service
• A brief explanation of the allegation
• Why retention supports mission readiness

4. Use Visual Evidence When Helpful

Charts, timelines, and concise summaries can clarify complicated cases.

5. Avoid Overloading the Board With Irrelevant Material

Quality matters more than quantity. Every page must be relevant.

How Gonzalez & Waddington Builds Winning Retention Packets

Our law firm approaches retention packets as if preparing for trial—because in many ways, the stakes are just as high. We:

• Analyze all allegations and command concerns
• Identify weaknesses in the government’s case
• Craft persuasive narratives tailored to board psychology
• Organize evidence into strategic, digestible sections
• Prepare witness statements and letters for maximum impact

We build retention packets that help boards see the whole soldier, sailor, marine, airman, or guardian—not just the allegation.

Why Strong Representation Matters

A retention packet alone is not enough. How the evidence is presented—through witness testimony, narrative strategy, legal framing, and cross-examination—often determines the result.

Civilian counsel like Michael & Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington bring decades of trial and administrative-defense experience, giving you the strongest possible chance at retention.

Contact Our Retention Board Defense Lawyers

If you are facing a BOI, ADSEP, QMP, or Separation Board, you must build a powerful retention packet immediately. We can help you protect your career and future.

➤ Contact Gonzalez & Waddington for Immediate Retention Packet Assistance

Retention Packet – Frequently Asked Questions