How a GOMOR Impacts Your Army Career

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The Army General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) is a typical method that commanders use to punish Soldiers for alleged wrongdoing. Unfortunately, at Military Justice Guides, we have seen countless Soldiers face GOMORs that are likely to ruin their careers despite little to no evidence of guilt. Army Regulation (AR) 600-37 authorizes a GOMOR, but it provides little information on how a GOMOR can impact your career. You can learn more below.

What is a GOMOR?

A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand is an administrative censure, in the form of a letter, issued by a General Officer. A General Officer Letter of Reprimand can be filed in either a Soldier’s Official Military Personnel File (“permanent file”) or their Military Personnel Record Jacket (“local file”).

In order for a Commander to give a Soldier a GOMOR, the Commander must believe by a "preponderance of the evidence" that the Soldier committed the misconduct alleged. "Preponderance of the evidence" is a legal standard that basically means "more likely than not." In other words, a Commander may issue a GOMOR if he or she believes that "51% of the evidence" supports the allegation.

How can a GOMOR impact my career?

First and foremost, a GOMOR can be "locally filed" or "permanently filed." "Locally filed" GOMORs may be destroyed after three years or when the Soldier PCS's. "Locally filed" GOMORs cannot be viewed by promotion boards. "Permanently filed" GOMORs are placed in a Soldier’s OMPF by a General Officer. These GOMORs have serious consequences. GOMORs filed in the OMPF can be seen by promotion boards and HRC. The GOMOR will stay in the Soldier’s OMPF for the duration of their career unless appealed or removed.

Other impacts of a GOMOR may include:

• Inability to PCS
• Inability to promote
• Denial or revocation of a security clearance
• Inability to re-enlist
• Administrative review by the Qualitative Management Program (QMP), Promotion Review Board (PRB), and/or Standby Advisory Board (STAB)
• Administrative separation (ADSEP)

The decision to "locally file" or "permanently file" a GOMOR is often final. It is very difficult to get a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand transferred or removed from your OMPF. You may ask the General that made the filing decision to change his or her mind, but that is difficult. Soldiers may also apply to the Department of Army Suitability and Evaluation Board (DASEB) to move the GOMOR to the "Restricted Portion" of the fiche.

The Soldier must show that the intended purpose of the GOMOR has been served and that the transfer would be in the best interest of the Army. Finally, a Soldier may apply to DASEB for removal of the GOMOR from the OMPF. However, the Soldier must show clear and convincing evidence that the allegations are untrue or unjust.

What should I do if I receive a GOMOR?

A Soldier is entitled to write a formal rebuttal to the GOMOR and submit any information to the General for consideration. The rebuttal can deny, rebut, explain, or mitigate the allegation. A rebuttal can also ask the issuing General to consider a specific filing determination (i.e. "locally filed").

At Military Justice Guides, we help Soldiers deal with General Officer Memorandum of Reprimands every single day. Our GOMOR Rebuttal Guide and GOMOR Response Template are designed to assist you in responding to a GOMOR and receiving the best result.

Army GOMOR Response Template

Our GOMOR Response Template is written by experienced military officers. When you purchase this template, you will be able to download and get started!

$25.00

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