Mr. Conway finished two Army Discharge Review Board hearings today. I’ve always written that success before the ADRB can be highly personality driven. The composition of the various boards (Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) change regularly. We rarely have two boards with exactly the same composition – though we see the same members frequently. Members of the discharge review boards can come from a wide range of backgrounds (infantry, logistics, medicine, etc). They can have different experiences with command and legal. In that respect, they tend to ask different questions and have different concerns. Today we had two cold panels. In other words, the members were not asking many questions. As a prospective applicant, you always have to be prepared for the possibility that the members of the board aren’t going to ask questions. If that happens, it’s up to you and counsel to ensure that the relevant information is presented. Today COL Hart was presiding. He conducts his boards in a very friendly and welcoming manner. His demeanor is well suited for this board. We don’t have much of a sample size yet in cases presided by the colonel. The board members ask questions from junior to senior member – in that order. The president of the board usually goes last. By that time, many questions have been asked. As is typical, COL Hart was largely interested in learning what the applicant’s wanted to gain from an upgraded discharge. Prospective applicant’s appearing before the ADRB in the next few months will definitely want to be prepared to explain how the upgrade will benefit them.
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