A military reprimand rebuttal is not written only for your commander. This Gonzalez & Waddington tutorial is educational, not legal advice. If you have a live investigation or court-martial, call 1-800-921-8607.
Quick answers
How long do I have to rebut a GOMOR?
Deadlines are short — often days, not weeks. Treat the filing determination as career-ending if ignored. Have a trial lawyer write the rebuttal.
Can a GOMOR lead to separation?
Yes. A locally or permanently filed GOMOR can feed a show-cause or board. The rebuttal and the board are separate fights.
Watch on YouTube. Questions about a case: call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-799-4019.
Educational information only. Not legal advice. Using this briefing does not create an attorney-client relationship. Facts, commands, and outcomes vary. For advice about your case, speak with a lawyer.
Video transcript
Transcript of the video “Reprimand Rebuttal: Why Every Word Follows You for Years,” with Michael Waddington of Gonzalez & Waddington.
Read the full transcript of this video
A reprimand rebuttal isn’t just for your commander. It is for everyone who might read it later. That includes promotion boards, QMP boards, retention boards, assignment officers, and, in some cases, administrative separation boards or boards of inquiry. Your rebuttal becomes your voice in rooms you’ll never be in. It becomes your argument. The wrong words can damage you years later, and you won’t even know it’s happening. The right words can save you. Someone down the line who reads it may cut you a break.
I’ve had countless cases where a client’s rebuttal, written properly, prevented separation, protected a clearance, saved a career, or even reversed the commander’s initial decision. The key is credibility and professionalism. These documents must read like they’re written by someone who understands military law, understands command dynamics, and knows how decisions are made at the leadership level.
And this brings me to a point that some people don’t want to hear: you should not be writing one of these rebuttals on your own.
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