An Army Specialist organized a small surprise party for his wife, intending for it to be a modest gathering. Unexpectedly, the party attracted Soldiers of various ranks, including NCOs and officers who were not originally invited. As attendees brought their own alcoholic beverages, the party quickly grew, and most guests became intoxicated. The unforeseen escalation led to several Soldiers failing to report for duty on time the following day, prompting an AR 15-6 investigation. This investigation resulted in a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) for the Specialist on charges of fraternization.
In response to the GOMOR, the Specialist retained military defense attorney Tim Bilecki. The rebuttal prepared by Bilecki’s law firm emphasized that the Specialist had neither intended nor anticipated the large turnout or the arrival of NCOs and officers. It also pointed out that the chaotic nature of the party was exacerbated by guests bringing their own drinks, leading to a situation that spiraled out of the Specialist’s control.
This nuanced rebuttal played a key role in the decision to locally file the GOMOR, acknowledging the unintentional consequences of the Specialist’s actions and the complexity of the event’s escalation.
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