Merchant Mariner Credential Denied for Old Sex Offense Conviction: What the Law Now Says & How to Fight Back When the U.S. Coast Guard denies a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), it can instantly end a maritime career. In recent years, these denials have increased sharply—especially for mariners with decades-old criminal convictions involving sexual offenses. This […]

Accused of Sexual Harassment in the Military? How to Protect Your Career, Rights, and Future If you are under investigation or accused of sexual harassment in the military, your career, rank, benefits, and reputation are at risk. A single allegation—true or false—can result in NJP/Article 15, administrative separation, loss of promotion, or even court-martial. This

For thousands of service members and veterans, a routine background check is uncovering something shocking: records showing they were arrested, charged, or part of a criminal case — even though they were never arrested, never charged, and never convicted. A recent lawsuit and emerging reporting indicate that many veterans are being flagged in civilian background-check

national security law – security clearance Marijuana, Security Clearances, and the “Honesty Trap”: Lessons from a Recent DOHA Case The federal government’s position on marijuana use by Security Clearance Applicants and Holders has evolved—slowly. While more than half of U.S. states allow medical or recreational use, federal law and national-security vetting rules continue to treat

Administrative separation for misconduct military Administrative Separation Understanding Reenlistment Codes When a service member faces administrative separation (ADSEP) for misconduct, the decision doesn’t just affect their military career—it can also have lasting consequences for future employment, veterans’ benefits, and their ability to rejoin the armed forces. One of the most important (and often misunderstood) pieces

Attorney patrick Korody discusses Florida’s military veteran population on death row. On September 2, 2025, Korody Law’s founder and Navy JAG Reserve Captain Patrick Korody appeared on WJCT’s First Coast Connect to discuss Florida’s execution of military veterans who were convicted of first degree murder.  Mr. Korody is “learned counsel” for death penalty cases.  The

MILITARY ADMINISTRATIVE LAW UPDATE – BOARD OF INQUIRY A statutory change under 10 U.S.C. § 1182 Ends Longstanding Protection of Officers Facing a Board of Inquiry Public Law 118–159 (Dec. 23, 2024), enacted as part of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act modified the State to Permit military department secretaries to overrule bOI Finding That Retention was

Key Takeaways from the Supreme Court Ruling in Kousisis v. United States When Fraud Is (and Isn’t) A Federal Crime Two recent U.S. Supreme Court cases—Ciminelli v. United States (2023) and Kousisis v. United States (2025)—have brought much-needed clarity to the scope of the federal wire fraud statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1343. For lawyers, contractors,

National Security Law – DOHA Hearing Lawyer What to Expect from a DOHA Hearing Lawyer: Your Guide to Security Clearance Defense If you’ve received a Statement of Reasons (SOR) or a notice of hearing from the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), you’re likely facing the loss or denial of your security clearance. This

MILITARY PERSONNEL LAW – BOARD OF INQUIRY After a Board of Inquiry is held, the officer needs to pay attention to post-board processing. A Board of Inquiry (BOI) is a formal administrative hearing where a panel of officers determines whether an officer should be separated or retained in the service. A BOI typically occurs following