# Citizen Soldier Law - Military & Veterans Lawyers for Active Duty, National Guard & Reserve (MEB, PEB & IDES) > https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com > Last Updated: 2026-09-17 Those with legal needs from across the country can call on Citizen Soldier Law for advice, assistance, or a referral for a lawyer they can trust. Our attorneys and staff are experienced veterans with over one hundred years of combined military service, including veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. You’ll also have the benefit of experienced and retired JAG lawyers, a retired Army National Guard human resources NCO, a board-certified physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation and a former Assistant Prosecutor with hands-on trial experience. With Citizen Soldier Law, you’ve found the right resource to help you with your legal needs. Contact our experienced veteran & military lawyers today. ## Contact - Phone: +1-973-937-6010 - Address: 1 Edgeview Dr, Ste C, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 ## Locations - Hackettstown, NJ - +1-973-937-6010 Areas served: Hackettstown, New Jersey ## Practice Areas - Criminal Law - Personal Injury - National Guard & Reserve Enlisted Administrative Actions - National Guard & Reserve Officer Administrative Actions - Medical & Physical Evaluation Boards - CRSC - Weapons Possession Advocacy - Domestic Violence ## Attorneys - Danielle Keens: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/your-team/danielle-keens/ Danielle Keens is a highly experienced Paralegal and Office/Case Manager at our New Jersey office - Allan Marain: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/your-team/allan-marain/ Allan Marain has been representing persons charged with firearms-related offenses for over forty-five years. - Rachel Marshall: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/your-team/rachel-marshall/ Rachel is a very welcome addition to our team and adds over a decade of IDES experience to our, already, over 100 years of military and JAG experience. - Thomas Roughneen: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/your-team/thomas-roughneen/ Thomas opened his own law practice in 2014 to serve the unique interests of military members and Veterans and served on active duty and with other law firms through the years. - Anthony Sciaraffa: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/your-team/anthony-sciaraffa/ Anthony Sciaraffa is a United States Army veteran of the Afghanistan conflict and served an Active Guard/Reserve Judge Advocate for twenty years. ## Key Pages - Homepage: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/ - Practice Areas: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/areas-of-practice/ - Attorneys: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/about-us/ - Blog: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/blog/ - Contact: https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/contact-us/ ## Social Profiles - https://www.facebook.com/CitizenSoldierLaw/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-roughneen/ - https://www.instagram.com/citizen.soldier.law/ - https://www.yelp.com/biz/citizen-soldier-law-madison - https://www.youtube.com/@citizensoldierlaw372 ## Reviews - Rating: 5/5 based on 159 reviews ## Practice Area Details ### New Jersey Criminal Defense & Veteran Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/new-jersey-criminal-lawyer/ Attorney Thomas Roughneen of Citizen Soldier Law is a criminal trial lawyer helping in defense & veterans criminal diversion. ### New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/new-jersey-personal-injury-lawyer/ New Jersey personal injury lawyer Thomas Roughneen of Citizen Soldier Law helps national guardsmen & reservists get compensation in car accidents & slip & fall. ### National Guard & Reserve Enlisted Administrative Actions Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/national-guard-reserve-enlisted-administrative-actions/ Military lawyer Thomas Roughneen represents enlisted Soldiers in separations other & National Guard & Reserve administrative actions nationwide. ### National Guard & Reserve Officer Administrative Actions Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/national-guard-reserve-officer-administrative-actions/ Military lawyer Thomas Roughneen of Citizen Soldier Law represents National Guard & Reserve officers in involuntary separation & other administrative actions. ### Veteran & Military Medical & Physical Evaluation Boards Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/medical-physical-evaluation-boards/ Military lawyer Thomas Roughneen clients in medical & physical evaluation boards MEB/PEB & veterans administration appeals nationwide ### New Jersey Weapons Possession Advocacy Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/new-jersey-weapons-possession-advocacy/ New Jersey lawyer Thomas Roughneen of Citizen Soldier Law conducts weapons possession advocacy for purchase permits, confiscation, forfeiture laws & LEOSA. ### New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/new-jersey-domestic-violence-lawyer/ For Veterans, military personnel and law enforcement, the issuance of a Final Restraining Order (FRO) can be a life changing event, contact us today. ### Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/combat-related-special-compensation-crsc-lawyer/ Citizen Soldier Law prepares combat related special compensation claims, tying each rated condition to the combat or hazardous duty that caused it. ### CRSC Denial Appeal Lawyer https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/crsc-denial-appeal-lawyer/ A denied CRSC claim is not the end of the road, and Citizen Soldier Law rebuilds the record with the combat evidence the board says it never received. ## Recent Articles ### Federal Court Strikes Down Air Force’s Pre-IDES Screening Process: What Watts v. Meink Means for Airmen https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/federal-court-strikes-down-air-forces-pre-ides-screening-process-what-watts-v-meink-means-for-airmen/ (2026-09-02) A federal court has delivered a significant victory for Air Force servicemembers challenging the military disability evaluation system. In Watts v. Meink, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia held that the Air Force’s Pre-Integrated Disability Evaluation System (Pre-... ### When a Storage Company Auctions a Servicemember’s Property: Understanding SCRA Protections https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/when-a-storage-company-auctions-a-servicemembers-property-understanding-scra-protections/ (2026-07-10) Military service can make it difficult for servicemembers to monitor financial accounts, respond to notices, or protect property stored far from their duty station. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, commonly known as the SCRA, provides important legal protections intended to prevent military serv... ### National Guard Soldier secures 100% Permanent Disability Retirement https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/national-guard-soldier-secures-100-permanent-disability-retirement/ (2026-07-02) The medical board process can feel overwhelming—especially for National Guard and Reservist Servicemembers who historically receive less assistance with their medical issues. Obtaining knowledgeable legal representation is critical, especially when the outcome impacts your career, finances, or futur... ### Army Scales Back Disability Counsel Services: What Every Soldier Needs to Know About the New DES Representation Rules https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/army-scales-back-disability-counsel-services-what-every-soldier-needs-to-know-about-the-new-des-representation-rules/ (2026-06-23) Army Announces Significant Reduction in Office of Soldiers' Counsel Services On May 27, 2026, the Office of The Judge Advocate General announced substantial changes to the legal services available to Soldiers participating in the Army Disability Evaluation System (DES). The changes are driven by sta... ### Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) for Chapter 61 Retirees https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/concurrent-retirement-and-disability-pay-crdp-for-chapter-61-retirees/ (2026-06-18) When you’re dealing with a medical discharge, the process can feel overwhelming—especially when the outcome impacts your career, finances, or future. Recently, several clients with over 20 years of active federal service raised questions regarding retirement pay. They generally ask, “Will increasing... ### Trouble for Dual Status Technicians https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/trouble-for-dual-status-technicians/ (2026-06-13) If you have to spend precious resources on a legal team, why not ensure that you have experienced military veterans from branches across the spectrum with relationships throughout the government. ### PEB Combat Determinations vs CRSC Awards https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/peb-combat-determinations-vs-crsc-awards/ (2026-06-11) Recently, several clients have reached out to ask questions about Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). In each case, the client had been medically retired and received combat designation codes from the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). Each believed that the PEB’s combat designation would auto... ### St.Mary of the Visitation Catholic Parish Teen Retreat https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/st-mary-of-the-visitation-catholic-parish-teen-retreat/ (2026-05-01) Join hundreds of other Catholic teens in Steubenville, Ohio for a weekend retreat! Thursday, June 26th to Sunday, June 29th. ### CRSC for Burn Pits-related Health Issues – Burn Pits Designated as “Instrumentalities of War” https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/crsc-for-burn-pits-related-health-issues-burn-pits-designated-as-instrumentalities-of-war/ (2026-04-16) On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Army settled Smoke et al. v. Driscoll, a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of Army veterans who were denied a combat related designation by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for unfit disabilities presumed to be caused by exposure to military burn pits. As a result, t... ### Why Retain a Lawyer for IDES, MEB, PEB, and LOD Issues? https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/why-retain-a-lawyer-for-ides-meb-peb-and-lod-issues/ (2026-04-03) When you’re injured and facing the Disability Evaluation System (IDES), a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), or a Line of Duty (LOD) determination, the process can feel overwhelming—especially when the outcome affects your career, retirement, and benefits. Recently, a... ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: Do I have a right to retain a private lawyer for a military proceeding? A: Yes. For courts-martial, you have the right to detailed military defense counsel at no cost, but you also have the right to retain private military counsel at your own expense. For administrative proceedings including MEB, PEB, and separation boards, you generally have the right to be represented by counsel. The quality and focus of representation you receive can differ significantly between a detailed JAG attorney managing a heavy caseload and private counsel devoted to your specific case. Q: What is the difference between an MEB and a PEB? A: The Medical Evaluation Board determines whether a servicemember meets the medical retention standards for their branch. If the MEB concludes they do not, the case moves to the Physical Evaluation Board, which determines whether the servicemember is fit for duty, and if not, what disability rating applies. The MEB gathers and documents the medical facts; the PEB makes the fitness and rating determinations. Under IDES, both processes run alongside a concurrent VA evaluation. Q: Can I challenge my disability rating after a PEB decision? A: Yes. If you receive an informal PEB decision that you disagree with, you have the right to demand a formal board where you can appear with counsel and present your case. Beyond the formal board, options include appeals to the Physical Disability Board of Review, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records or equivalent board for your branch, and VA appeals through the Board of Veterans' Appeals if VA ratings are involved. These avenues have different standards and timelines, and determi... Q: What happens to my disability rating if I also file a VA claim? A: Under the IDES process, the VA rates your conditions concurrently with the DOD proceeding. The VA rating is used to inform the DOD disability percentage, and the IDES is designed to reduce the duplicative effort of filing separate DOD and VA claims. However, the DOD and VA rating systems apply different standards, and a condition may receive different ratings under each. Understanding how these systems interact, and how to ensure your VA claim is fully documented, requires familiarity with bo... Q: I received a Chapter 5-17 or similar administrative discharge referral. Is that different from a courts-martial? A: Yes, significantly. Administrative separation actions are not criminal proceedings and do not result in criminal conviction, but they carry serious consequences for discharge characterization, benefits eligibility, and future employment. The standards of evidence and procedural rules differ from courts-martial. However, the outcome of an administrative separation board, including the characterization of discharge and any findings made, can affect your record in lasting ways. Representation at... Q: Can a military lawyer help me if I was already separated and disagree with my discharge characterization? A: Yes. Discharge upgrades and corrections of military records are available through the Discharge Review Board and the Board for Correction of Military Records for each branch. These boards can reconsider the characterization of service and, in some cases, modify findings that affect benefits eligibility. These proceedings require a well-prepared application that presents both the factual record and the legal basis for correction. Q: What if I have both a pending UCMJ matter and a medical board proceeding at the same time? A: This is a more complex situation than either proceeding alone. The timing and sequencing of these proceedings can interact in ways that affect both outcomes. Findings or admissions in one proceeding can potentially surface in another. A service member facing simultaneous criminal and administrative medical proceedings needs legal counsel who understands both frameworks and can advise on how to manage the interaction between them. Q: Does CRSC require a separate application from my disability retirement? A: Yes. Combat-Related Special Compensation is not automatically granted with a disability retirement. A separate application must be submitted to your branch's CRSC board, and it must document the combat nexus for each qualifying disability. The process involves matching medical evidence to qualifying combat events, and conditions that were rated through the disability system but not specifically linked to combat events may not qualify without additional documentation. The application and suppo... Q: Can my security clearance be affected by a UCMJ charge even if I am acquitted? A: Potentially yes. Security clearance adjudication looks at a broader pattern of conduct and underlying facts, not only at the legal outcome of criminal proceedings. An acquittal means you were not convicted, but the adjudicative guidelines used by clearance review bodies allow consideration of underlying allegations and circumstances. This makes the framing of your legal defense and the record created during UCMJ proceedings relevant not only to the criminal outcome but also to any subsequent ... Q: I am in the Reserve component but my MEB is being processed under Title 10. Does that change anything about my representation? A: No, and this is an important point. Reserve and National Guard service members whose conditions are referred through the IDES are processed through Title 10 active duty frameworks for both MEB and PEB purposes, just as active component service members are. The proceedings, standards, and rights are the same. Citizen Soldier Law specifically handles IDES matters for all branches, active duty and reserve component alike, because the legal framework governing those proceedings is identical regar... Q: Can I fight a letter of reprimand placed in my official military personnel file? A: Yes. The avenue is typically the service-specific records correction board, such as the Army Special Review Board for LOR removal or the Department of Defense level correction boards. The standard requires showing that the action was unjust or in error, and applications supported by evidence, character statements, and legal argument perform better than those without. Timing matters because correction boards have their own filing windows. Q: What is the difference between an administrative separation and a court-martial? A: A court-martial is a criminal proceeding governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with specific constitutional protections, the right to trial by jury of military peers, and a burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt. An administrative separation is not a criminal proceeding. It uses a preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning the board only needs to find that allegations are more likely true than not. The lower evidentiary threshold and reduced procedural protections in adminis... Q: Will an other-than-honorable discharge affect my VA benefits? A: Generally, yes. An other-than-honorable discharge can render a veteran ineligible for most VA benefits, including VA healthcare, the GI Bill, and disability compensation. The VA makes its own character-of-discharge determination that is separate from the military's characterization, and in some circumstances veterans can apply to the VA for a determination that their service qualifies for specific benefits despite the discharge characterization. Separately, discharge upgrade through the appro... Q: Does accepting an Article 15 prevent me from contesting the underlying allegations later? A: Accepting NJP means you accept the punishment imposed by the commander, but it does not create a criminal conviction and does not automatically bind you in subsequent administrative proceedings in the same way a court-martial conviction would. However, the Article 15 record itself becomes part of your file and can be referenced in later separation actions or promotion evaluations. The decision to accept or refuse NJP should be made with a full understanding of how the underlying facts will pl... Q: Can a command initiate administrative separation against a servicemember who is in the medical evaluation board process? A: This is one of the more complex intersections in military law. Regulatory protections exist that are designed to prevent servicemembers from being administratively separated for conduct when they have a pending disability determination. The degree of protection depends on the branch, the nature of the administrative action, and the timing of the medical referral. When both processes are running simultaneously, coordinated legal representation covering both tracks is essential because the outc... Q: I am an officer facing a board of inquiry. Can I bring witnesses? A: Yes. Officers appearing before a board of inquiry have the right to present witnesses, submit documentary evidence, and be represented by counsel. The government presents its case, and you respond to it. The quality of character witnesses, the coherence of the evidentiary record you present, and the effectiveness of cross-examination of government witnesses all influence the board's findings and recommendation. Preparation for a board of inquiry is not a matter of days; it is a matter of week... Q: What happens if I am separated before I reach retirement eligibility? A: Separation before reaching retirement eligibility is one of the most financially significant consequences of an adverse administrative action. A servicemember who is within a few years of a twenty-year retirement point and is administratively separated loses access to that retirement. In some cases, severance pay is available for involuntary separations, but it is not equivalent to retirement benefits. The characterization of the separation also affects whether any severance is payable and at... Q: My chain of command initiated an action against me that I believe was retaliatory. Does that matter? A: Reprisal against servicemembers who have made protected communications through Inspector General channels, congressional contacts, or other protected reporting mechanisms is prohibited under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act and related provisions. If the timing and circumstances of the administrative action correlate with a protected disclosure, that connection should be documented and raised through the appropriate channels, including the IG or the relevant correction board. Reprisa... Q: Can Guard and Reserve servicemembers face active duty administrative actions? A: Reserve component servicemembers on Title 10 active duty orders can face active duty administrative proceedings during that period of active service. Citizen Soldier Law specifically handles both active duty and reserve component administrative matters, and the firm was founded in part to serve the National Guard and Reserve community, which often lacks the institutional support structure that active duty servicemembers have access to through the legal assistance offices at their installations. Q: How long does an administrative separation proceeding typically take? A: The timeline varies substantially depending on the branch, the installation, and the complexity of the matter. From initiation of proposed action to final separation decision can range from a few weeks for more straightforward enlisted cases to several months for officer boards of inquiry with extensive evidentiary records. Appeals through correction boards operate on separate timelines that can extend considerably. The key point is that response deadlines within the proceeding itself are fix... Q: Can I fight a GOMOR after it has already been filed in my permanent record? A: Yes, but the avenue shifts to the relevant service's military records correction board, such as the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR). These boards can order removal or transfer of documents from a personnel file when the original action was unjust or involved procedural error. These appeals are time-sensitive and require a carefully constructed petition supported by evidence. Winning at the records correction level is possible but requires substantive legal argument, not ... Q: If I accept NJP, can I still appeal? A: Yes. A service member who accepts NJP and believes the punishment was unjust or disproportionate can appeal through the chain of command to the next superior authority. The appeal must typically be submitted within a specific timeframe set by the applicable service regulation. An appeal can also challenge whether the underlying NJP was procedurally sound. However, accepting NJP waives the right to demand trial by court-martial, which is why the decision about whether to accept or demand court... Q: Does my branch of service matter for how these proceedings work? A: Yes, significantly. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard each have their own implementing regulations for administrative separation, GOMORs, and related actions. Procedural requirements, timelines, and the specific grounds available for administrative separation vary across branches. An attorney who handles these cases across branches understands those distinctions and does not apply Army procedures to a Navy case or vice versa. Q: What happens to my VA benefits if I receive an Other Than Honorable discharge? A: An Other Than Honorable (OTH) characterization typically disqualifies a veteran from most VA benefits, including healthcare and education benefits under the GI Bill, though the VA conducts its own character of discharge determination in some circumstances. This is one reason the characterization of discharge in an administrative separation proceeding is so consequential. It is not just about the military record. It directly determines what resources and benefits a veteran can access for the r... Q: Can an administrative action happen at the same time as a criminal investigation? A: Yes, and this is a situation that requires particularly careful legal management. A service member who is simultaneously the subject of a criminal investigation and an administrative action faces compounding risks. Statements made in the administrative proceeding could affect the criminal case, and vice versa. An attorney handling both dimensions must be alert to how one proceeding can affect the other, including Fifth Amendment considerations that apply even within the military justice system. --- Detailed version — see https://www.citizensoldierlaw.com/llms.txt for summary Generated by MileMark Schema Pro