If you have just been handed a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) or a formal Letter of Reprimand (LOR), you are likely focused on one outcome: “How do I get this filed locally?”

You know the stakes. A permanent filing in your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF/AMHRR) is essentially a “pink slip.” It triggers separation boards (QMP/Show Cause), bars to reenlistment, and promotion pass-overs. A “Local Filing” is the only true victory—it allows the reprimand to be destroyed after a set period (usually 18 months), effectively saving your career.

However, 90% of soldiers fall into a specific trap when writing their own rebuttal. They treat it like a homework assignment rather than a legal indictment. At Gonzalez & Waddington, we have spent 25 years correcting these mistakes, often after it is too late.

The Trap: Confusing “Explanation” with “Mitigation”

When a soldier writes their own rebuttal (or uses a generic AI tool like ChatGPT), they usually follow a predictable, failing pattern:

• The “Begging” Approach: “I am sorry, I learned my lesson, please let me stay.” This signals weakness to a Commander who is under pressure to maintain discipline.
• The “Over-Explanation”: “I did it, but here is exactly why I did it…” This often provides the command with more evidence of poor judgment than they originally had.
• The “Generic Character” Defense: Attaching 15 letters of recommendation from peers who have no rank or influence.

Why AI and Templates Can’t Save Your Career

With the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs), many service members are turning to AI to draft their rebuttals. As defense experts, we warn against this for three critical reasons:

1. Admissions of Guilt: AI is programmed to be polite. It will often draft sentences like “I take full responsibility for my error,” which can be used against you in a later Board of Inquiry or Administrative Separation Board.
2. Lack of Context: An AI does not know your specific Commander’s reputation, the current political pressure on your installation (e.g., a SHARP crackdown or DUI task force), or the specific procedural errors the investigator made in your file.
3. Generic “Fluff”: Commanders read hundreds of rebuttals. They can spot a template instantly. A template tells the General, “This soldier didn’t care enough to mount a real defense.”

The Gonzalez & Waddington Approach: Aggressive Administrative Defense

When Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington represent a client for a GOMOR or LOR rebuttal, we do not simply “write a letter.” We construct a legal defense. Our objective is to give the General Officer a reason to pause.

1. We Attack the Evidence, Not Just the Punishment

Most soldiers accept the police report or investigation as fact. We do not. We scrutinize the file for:

• Unlawful command influence.
• Miranda rights violations during the investigation.
• Inconsistencies in witness statements.

If we can prove the underlying evidence is shaky, the General may choose local filing to avoid a messy legal battle later.

2. We Leverage “Command Interest”

A GOMOR rebuttal must argue that keeping you is in the Army’s best interest. We help you curate high-impact character letters from senior leaders—people the General respects—rather than generic letters from friends.

3. We Write for the Board, Not Just the General

We assume the worst-case scenario: that the GOMOR will be filed permanently. Therefore, we write the rebuttal to serve as Exhibit A for your future Administrative Separation Board. We plant legal seeds now that will grow into a defense victory later.

Frequently Asked Questions About GOMOR Rebuttals

What is the difference between local filing and permanent filing?

Local filing allows the reprimand to be destroyed after a short period (usually 18 months or upon transfer). Permanent filing places it in your OMPF, likely ending your career.

Can I hire a civilian lawyer for a GOMOR?

Yes. Hiring a civilian specialist sends a message that you are taking the allegations seriously. Unlike free military counsel, we have the time and resources to launch a full investigation into your charges.

Should I use AI to write my rebuttal?

No. AI lacks the strategic nuance to understand command climate and often includes admissions of guilt that can legally damage your case in future separation boards.