There is a dangerous myth circulating in barracks and wardrooms: “It’s just a GOMOR. I’ll take the hit, put my head down, and bounce back.”

Twenty years ago, this might have been true. Today, it is a career death sentence. The military has automated the process of weeding out personnel with “derogatory information.” A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) is not the end of your punishment—it is the start of a chain reaction designed to separate you from the service.

At Gonzalez & Waddington, we call this the “Domino Effect.” If you do not stop the first domino (the GOMOR), the rest will fall automatically.

The Chain Reaction: From Reprimand to Civilian

How a Lawyer Stops the Dominos

You cannot stop the QMP or the Separation Board from happening once the GOMOR is filed. However, you can rig the game in your favor right now, during the rebuttal phase.

1. The “Rebuttal as Exhibit A” Strategy

When we write a GOMOR rebuttal, we aren’t just writing to the General who issued it. We are writing to the three Colonels who will sit on your future Separation Board. We pack the rebuttal with evidence—character letters, legal analysis, and medical records—that we want the future board to see.

If you wait until the separation board to present this evidence, it looks like desperation. If you include it in your GOMOR rebuttal, it looks like a consistent, documented defense.

2. Blocking the Trigger (Local Filing)

The only way to completely stop the domino effect is to secure a Local Filing. If the GOMOR is filed locally, it never enters your OMPF. The QMP computer never sees it. The separation process never starts.

Securing a local filing requires a high-level legal argument that gives the General a “command interest” reason to keep you. Simple apologies do not work here.

3. The “Resignation in Lieu of” Negotiation

For senior Officers or NCOs facing certain discharge, fighting the GOMOR might not be the only play. We often use the rebuttal period to negotiate a voluntary retirement or resignation that preserves your grade and benefits, rather than risking a board that could strip you of rank.

Don’t Wait for the Second Domino

Many soldiers call us after they get the separation notification. By then, the damage is often done. The GOMOR is already in the file, and their previous “DIY” rebuttal is being used as evidence of their guilt.

The moment you receive a GOMOR is the moment your career is on the line. You need a defense team that understands the long game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a GOMOR mean I will lose my GI Bill?

Directly? No. But the GOMOR leads to administrative separation. If that separation results in a General or OTH discharge (which is common for misconduct), you will lose your GI Bill eligibility.

Can I appeal a GOMOR after it is filed permanently?

Yes, through the Department of the Army Suitability Evaluation Board (DASEB) or the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR). However, these appeals are difficult to win. It is infinitely easier to fight the filing before it happens than to remove it after.

Why do I need a civilian lawyer for this?

Military TDS lawyers are overwhelmed and often focus on criminal trials (Courts-Martial). They may not have the time to craft a complex administrative defense strategy designed to stop a QMP board that hasn’t happened yet. We do.