Written By Fall 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Ty Delgado. In June, 2019, the U.S Army introduced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a replacement to the forty-year-old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). What has followed has been a slew of questions and controversies affecting current servicemembers and future veterans alike. Amid this tense transition, one … Continue reading ““Can the Army really kick me out for this?” A look into the ACFT and its potential impacts on our Nation’s largest fighting force.”

Written By Summer 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Mike Smiley Summary Military retirees and current Servicemembers ought to be aware of the military pension system that is applicable to their circumstance and the implications it can have on their financial wellbeing. The system of service member pensions is periodically revised, most recently and radically, as of … Continue reading “Military Retirement and Transition to the Blended Retirement System”

Written By Summer 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Megan Huppee. Introduction – What is Supported Decision-Making? Supported Decision-Making (“SDM”) is an informal or formal way individuals can have trustworthy people help them make decisions. SDM has evolved as one alternative to guardianship.[1] Guardianship is the legal process in which a court determines when a person can … Continue reading “Supported Decision-Making”

Written By Summer 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor David Zhang. This blog post is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. Military members and their families have life events that may affect … Continue reading “Federal Tax Benefits That May be Available to Military Members”

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Anne Cotter. On April 7, 2021, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) announced that it had formed the Discharge Appeal Review Board (“DARB”).[1] The DoD established the DARB pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 1553a to conduct a final review of a veteran’s request for a discharge upgrade. The DARB … Continue reading “The Discharge Appeal Review Board: Another Opportunity for a Discharge Upgrade”

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Raphael Johnson. The Department of Defense reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and supporting victims of domestic violence by extending Special Victim Counsel services to military-connected victims of domestic violence. The Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Department of Defense to extend Special Victim Counsel services … Continue reading “Special Victim Counsel Services Extended to Victims of Domestic Violence”

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Alana Nielson. “I wanted to believe in the Navy’s ability to properly handle cases of sexual assault. However, after having been through the process, it became clear that while step one [reporting the assault] is for the victim, all else is done explicitly for the image of the … Continue reading “The War Within: The Uncomfortable Truth About Sexual Assault and a Pervasive Culture of Harassment in the Military”

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor. During his confirmation hearing Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III promised to “fight hard to stamp out sexual assault, to rid our ranks of racists and extremists, and to create a climate where everyone fit and willing has the opportunity to serve this country with dignity.”[1] Making good on … Continue reading “Militias Recruit Veterans”

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Alexandra Morgan. For almost 10 years, the suicide rate among veterans has been 1.5 times higher than the rate for non-veteran adults.[1] Suicide is not an easy topic for anyone. Often times, the brave men and women who selflessly join the U.S. Armed Forces are portrayed and expected … Continue reading “Veteran Suicide Prevention: Small Strides Forward”

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Brady Clapp. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”) is the Congressionally enacted set of federal laws that governs criminal law for the military.[1] Beyond simply listing the various crimes punishable by military law, the UCMJ also sets forth the scope and jurisdiction of military law. Broadly speaking, … Continue reading “UCMJ Jurisdiction for Retirees”