Army Officer Promotion Passover Overturned and Career Extended
My client’s promotion passover a year ago was just overturned. She’ll be able to continue serving the country and her fellows until her MRD now.
This was such a satisfying outcome, because my client was extremely deserving, experienced and a tremendous asset for any unit, group or branch lucky enough to get her. Because she had come back as a retiree recall after a long break, and also because like so many good people I’ve met over the years who are great at their jobs — but not so good at looking after their own records/career admin best interests — my client’s promotion file needed some serious overhaul. We worked at that together, and with a number of different people at various command levels, for the better part of six months. I’m happy to report that my client’s name appeared on the APL 0-5 list which HRC published yesterday, 19 January 2012. This time, with the client’s file fully and properly presented, the Army got it right!
If you’re facing an uphill battle, and your military career seems to be slipping away for whatever reason — and you honestly feel that you have something more to offer your country – I’d consider it a privilege to work with you to preserve and extend your career.
Please call me:
Respectfully,
William C. Meili
COL (Ret.) JA, USAR
Attorney and Counselor at Law
6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1090
Dallas, TX 75206
214 363-1828 0830 to 1730 Monday thru Friday.
214 536-3888 For emergencies, after-hours and weekends,
or email at info@meililaw.com
Airman’s Testimonial Includes Observations on Bill Meili, FAA license revocation, Felony DWI indictment, Loss of flight privileges and Potential Loss of Aviation Career
The Below Testimonial is from a former client who is now a good friend. He is currently a pilot for a major U.S. carrier. If you’re anywhere in the country and facing anything similar to what my friend writes about below, please call me. We’ll find a solution. Thank you. Bill Meili , COL (Ret.) JA, USAR, Attorney and Counselor at Law, 6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1090 Dallas, TX 75206, — 214 363-1828 0830 to 1730 Monday thru Friday. 214 536-3888 For emergencies, after-hours and weekends – or email at info@meililaw.com
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Are you a professional aviator under FAA – federal aviation administration scrutiny? Are you facing serious, career threatening charges? If you are a commercial aviator looking for legal representation, you have come to the right web site. I was in the same predicament, three years ago. I was facing a felony trial for a DWI – Driving While Intoxicated — with two minors in the vehicle. I had surrendered my medical license to the Federal Aviation Administration; CPS – Child Protective Services — had begun their investigation. The list of government agencies involved was mind numbing. The DPS – Department of Public Safety, and DOT – Department of Transportation — are not agencies you want to face alone. At the time, I had an attorney who might call me back sometime the same month. I seriously contemplated just giving up on it all. I needed help. I needed an attorney who was knowledgeable about and comfortable with FAA regulations, commercial airlines and corporate headquarters generally, special issuance, pilot re-certification and medical revocation. I needed a lawyer who could wade through the criminal legal issues of a felony DWI, and provide overall guidance on how best to proceed through this governmental maze. I was also asked to attend a drug and alcohol treatment center or rehab. This would be followed by aftercare and monitoring programs, and I needed an attorney who could make sense of and leverage the evidence and information coming from these various recovery programs.
Bill Meili came into my life through a mutual friend who had faced similar issues. I was skeptical at first. He was not inexpensive; but he was offering legal help and hope. A little too good to believe? Yes, that was exactly what I thought. But, I had nowhere else to go. It was either give up, or accept the hand offered to me. I shook his hand.
Bill did not suggest we wade in. No, we jumped head first into the issues at hand. There were phone calls and meetings with my employer’s chief pilots and with the union’s attorneys. I work for a major carrier and this is not an issue they take lightly. He involved other outside attorneys as well to help us with the battle. We were facing staunch resistance from the district attorney’s office. The court case itself lasted more than a year. And in the mean time we were working to get my medical certification reinstated. This involves a joint effort between the pilots union, the EAP (employee assistance program), and the airline. Thankfully, we were wildly successful. My charges were reduced and I’m back flying. My pilot and medical certificates were reissued. The medical certificate comes as a special issuance (SI). And Bill helped me understand the particulars of the FAA airman DUI/DWI program, or HIMS as it’s known in the industry. HIMS (Human Intervention and Motivation Study) is the only FAA approved curriculum focused specifically on recertifying airmen who have an identified alcohol and/or substance abuse issue.
Today, my relationship with my employer, family and friends could not be better. The issues facing a professional aviator are lengthy. Bill Meili is knowledgeable in FAA regulations and company policies. He is great at deciphering the multiple HIMS requirements, and he is equally adept at communicating with EAP managers, medical professionals and government decision makers during each step of the recertification process. Moreover, he was amazing at changing the criminal district attorney’s stance in my felony DWI case.
But, here is the real success story. I found someone who believed in me. I hired a man who would help me battle with grace and mentor me while we stepped this out. In my personal case he knew that the criminal indictment and court process was only part of the challenge – and really, only the beginning. He insisted that I find a way to do everything that was required of me without drink or drug. My state probation and the FAA would insist on that. He helped me understand everything we faced, and, in the process, he showed me the way to sobriety. But this was, at all times, a team effort. He’s a winner. He’s honest. And he’s my friend.
If you have any questions at all, I would be glad to share my experiences further. Just call Bill and he’ll make the necessary introductions. Thank you. BH
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Recent Military Case Results in December 2011:
As 2011 winds down, I wanted to share a few recent results:
1. Last week — right before Christmas — an Army Reserve Medical Doctor and obligated officer client received word that his Unqualified Resignation had been accepted. His orders, reflecting an Honorable Discharge from the Reserve Component, arrived via email attachment later that day;
2. On 16 December, an Army Active Component Medical Doctor and obligated officer client’s case resolved favorably with amended PCS orders. We were successful in helping her seek reassignment to a new (and yet still local) Home Station with duties consistent and in accordance with a revised medical profile;
3. On 1 December, after full, fair and frank discussions and negotiations with my young (E-4) Army Reservist client’s commanders and staff, I’m happy to report that the command revoked his mobilization and deplolyment orders. Not only was the client holding an Educational Stabilization contract slot with this particular Reserve unit, but he was also an extremely poor fit for the unit’s upcoming mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan. Credit the commander for the decision to trust her instincts and make a call which served the best interests of the Soldier, the unit and the unit’s other deploying Soldiers.
If you are anywhere in the country — or deployed – and need help with a military matter affecting your career in any way, or if you need help with a mobilization or deployment issue, please don’t hesitate to give my office a call or email. Contact information is in the signature block below. Thank you and best wishes for a healthy, happy and reasonably sane 2012!
Respectfully,
William C. Meili
COL (Ret.) JA, USAR
Attorney and Counselor at Law
6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1090
Dallas, TX 75206
214 363-1828 0830 to 1730 Monday thru Friday.
214 536-3888 For emergencies, after-hours and weekends,
or email at info@meililaw.com
Recent Results: Aggravated Assault and Assault Cases Dismissed
Within the past two weeks, The Dallas District Attorney’s office dismissed two criminal cases I had been handling. Both cases were dismissed on the date each was set for trial, and in both situations, I compliment the responsible Assistant District Attorneys for what they did in making a call which ensured that the right thing was done — and justice served.
If you are anywhere in the country, and need help with a criminal complaint or charge, an investigation or a grand jury hearing, please don’t hesitate to give my office a call.
Respectfully,
William C. Meili
COL (Ret.) JA, USAR
Attorney and Counselor at Law
6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1090
Dallas, TX 75206
214 363-1828 0830 to 1730 Monday thru Friday.
214 536-3888 For emergencies, after-hours and weekends,
or email at info@meililaw.com
Final Update on Army Doctor’s Resignation: Honorable Discharge Order to Take Effect 1 September 2011
In our June 2011 Archives, I published a note about the difficulties some officers — even non-obligated officers — face when trying to discharge from further service. Last week, after nearly four months of fairly rigorous follow-through and follow-up, word came down that a Client’s Unqualified Resignation had been approved. Her Honorable Discharge order was cut that same day, and forwarded on to us promptly. Our Client has written a testimonial — pasted below — describing her experience with the firm and with the process.
If you’re considering resigning your commission — whether you’re in an obligated or non-obligated status — please consider calling our firm. I’ll be happy to discuss your situation with you candidly, thoroughly, and in confidence. Perhaps then, together, we can map out a way forward as was done for our wonderful Client/Anesthesiologist in the instant case.
Please visit the website (linked on this Blog page) at Meililaw.com for further information and a link to other Client Testimonials/Reviews.
Respectfully,
William C. Meili
COL (Ret.) JA, USAR
Attorney and Counselor at Law
6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1090
Dallas, TX 75206
214 363-1828 0830 to 1730 Monday thru Friday.
214 536-3888 For emergencies, after-hours and weekends,
or email at info@meililaw.com
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AN ARMY DOCTOR’S EXPERIENCE WITH AN UNQUALIFIED RESIGNATION REQUEST
Effective on September 1, 2011, I finally obtained my honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Reserves. I had been trying to resign my commission as a medical officer in the Army Reserves since 2006 without success. My efforts to do so were repeatedly thwarted by a bureaucracy that, when not openly hostile, was completely indifferent. In addition, I was hampered by an understanding of all things ‘Army’ that was minimal at best. Even after the expiration of my service obligation in 2008, I was unable to get the Army to advance my resignation request. Occasionally I would come across someone who actually seemed as if they wanted to help, but it never amounted to anything beyond a sympathetic ear. Navigating the endless maze of commands with any consistency was next to impossible for me given my demanding position as an attending Anesthesiologist in a very busy academic medical center. Then, in March 2011, I received orders to report for Soldier Readiness Processing along with a letter threatening separation for non-participation. It was at that point I realized I had to get help. To my great good fortune, Bill Meili was recommended to me.
Bill analyzed my situation, advised a plan of attack, and then executed that plan flawlessly to secure my Honorable Discharge. The level of communication was amazing. At no time did I ever have to wonder what was happening with my case as a day rarely passed that I did not receive at least one text, email or phone call with an update.
Within days of Bill taking my case, my orders were cancelled. Within just a few weeks, he accomplished something I hadn’t been able to do on my own in 5 years – I was scheduled for exit counseling with my commander. During my exit counseling, I was told that it would take a minimum of six months for my discharge. I was also told that if I came up for deployment before final approval of my resignation, it would be shelved until 12 months after my return. Given the obstructionist tactics I’d dealt with previously, my spirits sunk on hearing this. Bill, however, seemed invigorated by the challenge. He developed and maintained relationships with people within the chain of command which ensured my resignation packet moved quickly from one stage to the next. As my packet moved up to the higher levels of command, he was there to hand deliver it to the appropriate person and obtain the requisite signature. As a direct result of his supreme dedication and intimate knowledge of ‘all things Army’, I had my Honorable Discharge in hand barely 5 months after the day I first consulted him.
During those five months, I came to look upon Bill Meili not only as my attorney and representative, but as a friend who was as invested in a favorable outcome as I was. His infectious confidence, humor and personal interest in my life apart from my Army situation kept me going. I am eternally grateful for his help.
God Bless!
