Draft: Michael J. Stenzel Col, GS, Nyg Chief of Staff
Draft: Michael J. Stenzel Col, GS, Nyg Chief of Staff
Draft: Michael J. Stenzel Col, GS, Nyg Chief of Staff
PREFACE
THOMAS G. CLELAND
Brigadier General, New York Guard
Commander
OFFICIAL:
DRAFT
MICHAEL J. STENZEL
COL, GS, NYG
Chief of Staff
1. Purpose. This publication sets forth the procedures for conduct of the NYG Board of
Officers.
2. Application.
a. Format and procedures established in this publication apply to all members of the New
York Guard.
3. Scope. This publication describes the procedure for conducting a Board of Officers for
misconduct in the New York Guard.
4. Basis. This directive is in compliance with New York State Military Law Article VII,
Sections 130 through 131.12 and Division of Military and Naval Affairs Regulation 27-2. Part
of this directive has been tailored from U.S. Army Regulations: AR 135-178 Enlisted
Administrative Separations (3 Dec 2001) and AR 135-175 Separation of Officers (28 Feb 1987).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………… I-1
2.
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BOARD OF OFFICERS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
2. A Board may only be convened by The Adjutant General of the State of New York (TAG) or
the Commanding General of the New York Guard, or the Commander of the Army Division, or
the Commander of the Air Division, or the Commander of the Civil Affairs Brigade.
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CHAPTER II
1. Unit Commander. The Commander of the unit in which the member is assigned initiates the
request for separation and forwards the notification to the Respondent and awaits the
Respondent’s waiver or request for a Board of Officers and to forward them to the Convening or
Separating Authority. A Notification Memorandum for Referral of a Respondent to a Board is
attached as Appendix B.
2. Convening/Separating Authority. The Commanding General of the Army Division, the Air
Division or the Civil Affairs Brigade may convene a Board of Officers and is known as the
Convening Authority. While TAG or the Commanding General of the New York Guard may
convene a Board of Officers, they generally serve as an appellate authority. The Convening or
Separation Authority appoints the members to a Board of Officers. A copy of the Appointment
Order is attached as Appendix A.
3. Respondent. Respondent is the person accused of misconduct. The Respondent may choose
to waive the formal Board of Officers hearing and agree to a discharge characterized as either
Honorable or a General Under Honorable Conditions. If the Respondent is a commissioned
officer, warrant officer or an enlisted member with six (6) years of combined service in the
active or reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Coast Guard or the New York
Guard, he or she is entitled to a Board hearing. In the event the Respondent is not a
commissioned officer, warrant officer or an enlisted member with six (6) years of combined
service, the Respondent may submit a written response to the Board outlining his or her defenses
and matters in extenuation and mitigation.
4. Recorder. The Recorder is usually an officer of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps
assigned to present the case against the Respondent.
5. Respondent’s Counsel. The Respondent’s Counsel represents the Respondent at the Board.
The Respondent’s Counsel is a detailed officer of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps who is
provided at no expense to the Respondent. The Respondent may also privately retain his or her
own civilian counsel at no expense to the state.
6. Board of Officers. The Board of Officers consists of at least three officers comprised of a
President who is the senior member and shall be in the grade of Major or higher and at least two
other Board Members who are officers.
a. Where the Respondent is an enlisted member, the Respondent may request within ten
(10) days of the scheduled hearing that at least one-third of the members be enlisted members.
In the event enlisted members are requested, such enlisted members shall be non-commissioned
officers in the minimum grade of E-7.
b. All members of the Board shall be senior in grade to the Respondent.
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c. At least six to ten members should be assigned to a Board to allow for challenges and
absences. There is only one peremptory challenge permitted.
f. The Board will hear the case and make findings of fact as to whether misconduct has been
proved by a preponderance of the credible evidence.
g. After making findings, the Board then makes recommendations whether the member
shall be retained, separated from the New York Guard, or placed on the Reserve List.
h. If the Board determines that separation is warranted, then the Board will recommend the
characterization of such separation as either an Honorable Discharge, a General Discharge Under
Honorable Conditions or an Other Than Honorable Discharge, except that commissioned officers
and warrant officers may not be issued an Other Than Honorable Discharge.
7. Legal Advisor to the Board of Officers. The Legal Advisor is a senior field grade officer of
the Judge Advocate General’s Corps who acts in a judicial capacity and as a legal advisor to the
Board. The Legal Advisor makes all decisions on legal questions presented to the Board and
rules on admissibility of evidence and testimony by sustaining or overruling objections. The
following JAG officers may not serve as a Legal Advisor to the Board of Officers: The
Recorder, the Respondent’s Counsel or the Staff Judge Advocate of the Convening Authority.
8. Reporter. The Reporter acts as a court reporter. A reporter maintains a record of the
proceedings. A tape recording of the proceeding may be used to assist the reporter in preparing
the summarized record of the Board. A verbatim transcript is not required.
9. Judge Advocates. Officers of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps will be assigned by the
Convening Authority with the consent of the Commander of the Civil Affairs Brigade to perform
the following duties:
b. Recorder who will present the case against the Respondent charged with misconduct.
d. The Staff Judge Advocate or an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate to the Convening
Authority will advise the Convening Authority whether the Board findings and recommendations
are legally sufficient after a review of the evidence and proceedings of the Board of Officers.
10. Commanding General, New York Guard. The Commanding General of the New York
Guard shall serve as the Appellate Authority who will review any appeals presented of the
determinations made by the Convening Authority. The Staff Judge Advocate or the Assistant
Staff Judge Advocate to the Commanding General of the New York Guard, will review such
appeals and prepare a written report on the legal sufficiency of the determinations of the
Convening Authority, the merits of the appeal and shall present same to the Commander of the
New York Guard for final determination. The final determination by the Commanding General
of the New York Guard shall be made in writing and shall be served upon the Respondent’s
Counsel and the Convening Authority.
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BOARD OF OFFICERS
CHAPTER III
a. Proceedings under this directive are administrative and not judicial. Therefore, a Board
of Officers is not bound by the rules of evidence for trials by courts-martial or for court
proceedings generally. Accordingly, anything that in the minds of a reasonable person is
relevant to an issue may be accepted as evidence. Copies of medical records, counseling
statements, police reports, and other governmental or business records may be considered
regardless of whether the preparer of the record or the custodian of the record is available to give
a statement or testify in person. All evidence will be given such weight as circumstances
warrant.
b. The burden of proof is upon the Recorder who must prove each and every element of the
charges against the Respondent by fair preponderance of the credible evidence.
d. Recorder presents order of appointment and accounts for the members of the Board who
are present or absent.
e. The Legal Advisor may be challenged for cause by counsel. If acceptable, then the Legal
Advisor is sworn. The Board is voir dired by counsel. Only one peremptory challenge
permitted. Once the Board is acceptable, the Board is sworn in by the Recorder.
(1) Counsel for both sides are allowed to make an opening statement.
(3) The Respondent’s Counsel may waive an opening statement or reserve it for the
opening of the Respondent’s case, if any evidence is to be presented.
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(2) The Respondent’s Counsel is entitled to challenge the evidence and cross examine
the witnesses.
(1) The Respondent’s Counsel is entitled to present evidence and produce witnesses.
(2) The Recorder can challenge the evidence and cross-examine the witnesses.
(3) The Respondent is not required to testify during the findings phase of the
proceedings. However, a Respondent may make an unsworn statement in extenuation and
mitigation phase of the proceedings.
j. Closing argument.
(3) The Recorder is permitted to make a rebuttal closing argument to the Board.
(4) If the Board finds that misconduct has been proved by a fair preponderance of the
credible evidence then, in that event, the Board shall make a recommendation to either:
(b) That the Respondent be separated from the New York Guard with a discharge
indicating any one of the following characterizations of service:
1 Honorable Discharge; or
(6) The Board is reopened and the results are announced by the President of the Board
in the presence of the Legal Advisor, Respondent, Respondent’s Counsel and the Recorder.
m. Reporter creates a summarized record of the proceedings and submits it to the Recorder
who forwards it along with the findings and recommendations and exhibits to the Convening
Authority who is the Commander who convened the Board.
a. Upon receipt of the findings and recommendations, together with the summarized record
of the proceedings and exhibits, the Convening Authority refers them to the Staff Judge
Advocate to the Convening Authority who reviews them for legal sufficiency and reports the
results of such review in writing to the Convening Authority.
b. The Convening Authority must generally accept the findings of the Board, but may
accept in full, accept part or reject the recommendations of the Board. The Convening Authority
may not impose a determination more severe than the recommendation of the Board.
c. The Respondent or his counsel may appeal in writing the findings within ten (10) days of
the Board’s announcement of their findings and recommendations to the Convening Authority
that the findings are against the weight of the credible evidence and/or that the recommendation
of the Board is too severe.
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d. Once the Convening Authority acts on the recommendations of the Board and any
appeal, a copy of that determination is presented to the respondent.
a. The Respondent may appeal the determination of the Convening Authority to the
Commander of the New York Guard within ten (10) days of receipt of the determination by the
Convening Authority.
b. The Commander of the New York Guard as the Appellate Authority may accept the
determination of the Convening Authority or may reject it in whole or in part. The Commander
of the New York Guard may render a more favorable determination, but may not impose a more
severe determination.
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APPENDIX A
Appointment of Board of Officers
1. A Board of Officers is hereby appointed pursuant to New York Guard Directive 1325 to
investigate the circumstances of misconduct by members of the New York Guard.
MAJ Robert A. Jones, HHC, 88th Bde, NYG, New York, NY, NYG ID# Member (President)
CPT Paul R. Wisniewski, Co A, 1Bn, 9th Regt, NYG, New York, NY, NYG ID# Member
CPT David B. Braun, Co C, 1Bn, 47th Regt, NYG, Brooklyn, NY, NYG ID# Member
CPT John C. Solomon, HHC, 1Bn, 51st Regt, NYG, Staten Island, NY, NYG ID# Alternate
Member
MSG Jason Smith, Co A, 1Bn, 21st Regt, NYG, Rochester, NY, NYG ID# Alternate Member
SFC Daryl Carter, Co B, 1Bn, 47th Regt, NYG, Brooklyn, NY, NYG ID# Alternate Member
1LT Sally T. Jefferson, Co B, 1Bn, 8th Regt, Bronx, NY, NYG ID# Alternate Member
COL Joseph Judge, JA, 13th CMA Regt, Garden City, NY, NYG ID# Legal Advisor
LTC John Jurist, JA, 209th CMA Regt, Buffalo, NY, NYG ID# Assistant Legal Advisor
MAJ John Counsel, JA, 5th CMA Regt, Yonkers, NY, NYG ID# Recorder
CPT Larry Lawyer, JA, 7th CMA Regt, Brooklyn, NY, NYG ID# Assistant Recorder
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SGT Mary Jones, 13th CMA Regt, Garden City, NY, NYG ID# Reporter
4. The Board will meet at the call of the President. It will use the procedures set forth in New
York Guard Directive 1325.1 applicable to formal Boards with Respondents. Respondents will
be referred to the Board by separate correspondence.
5. Reports of the proceedings will be summarized. However, the findings and recommendations
will utilize the findings and recommendations form which shall be and submitted to this
headquarters; ATTN: S-1. Reports will be submitted within three (3) working days of the
conclusion of each case. Personnel officers will furnish necessary administrative support for the
Board. Legal advice to the Board will be obtained from the Legal Advisor or Assistant Legal
Advisor appointed to this order.
(Authority line)
(Signature block)
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APPENDIX B
(Appropriate Letterhead)
1. Reference memorandum, this headquarters, dated (day, month, year), subject: Appointment
of Board of Officers.
2. (Enter rank, name, NYG ID# and unit) is hereby designated a respondent before the Board
appointed by the referenced memorandum. The Board will make findings whether (rank, name,
NYG ID# and unit) committed misconduct and recommend whether the Respondent shall be
retained in the New York Guard or separated and the characterization of such separation.
3. You shall proceed to a formal Board of Officers hearing on (date) and report your findings
and recommendations to me immediately upon the close of the Board.
4. (Enter rank, name, branch and unit) is designated counsel for (enter name of respondent).
Enc.
(Signature block)
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APPENDIX C
PROCEDURE FOR A FORMAL BOARD OF OFFICERS
Legend
PRES: President of The Board of Officers - Senior Member of Board
LA: Legal Advisor - Acts as a Judge
RCDR: Recorder - Acts as Prosecutor
RPTR: Reporter - Keeps records of the proceedings
RESP: Respondent - The Accused
RESP COUNSEL: Respondent’s counsel
SCRIPT
Call to Order
PRES: This hearing will come to order. This Board of Officers has been called to determine
whether the respondent: _______________ has committed misconduct and to recommend
whether he/she should be retained or discharged from the service and the characterization of such
discharge recommendation, if any.
Reporter Sworn
RCDR: Do you swear (or affirm) that you will faithfully perform the duties of reporter to this
Board, (so help you God)?
REPORTER: I do.
Recorder Sworn
LA: Do you swear that you will faithfully perform the duties of recorder to this Board (so help
you God)?
RCDR: I do.
(If not, the memorandum of appointment is read aloud by RCDR or silently by any member who
has not read it.)
When RESP has been designated by a separate memorandum of appointment, the same
procedure applies to that memorandum of appointment.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
RCDR should account for all personnel of the Board, including RESP and COUNSEL, if any, as
present or absent at each session. RCDR should state the reason for any absence, if known, and
whether the absence was authorized by the appointing authority.
LA: Either of you may challenge me as the Legal Advisor. Do counsel desire to question the
Legal Advisor as to my qualifications or impartiality in this case?
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If so, reasons must be placed on the record. The LA rules on any objections. The LA is sworn by
the RCDR if there is no objection to the Legal Advisor.
RCDR: Do you swear that you will faithfully perform the duties of Legal Advisor in the case
now in hearing?
LA: I do.
LA: Either of you may challenge any member of the Board for lack of impartiality. The
Recorder and Respondent’s Counsel may question the members of the Board if they desire at
this time. Do you desire to make a challenge?
If RESP challenges for lack of impartiality, the LA determines the challenge. If sustaining a
challenge results in less than a quorum (at least three members), the Board should recess until
additional members are added.
All persons in the room stand while RCDR administers the oath. Each voting member raises his
or her right hand as RCDR calls his or her name in administering the following oath:
recommendations as are appropriate and warranted by your findings, according to the best of
your understanding of the rules, regulations, policies, and customs of the service, guided by your
concept of justice, both to the Government and to individuals concerned, (so help you God)?
MEMBERS: I do.
LA may now give general advice concerning applicable rules for the hearing.
RCDR: The respondent was notified of this hearing on __________, 20__. I request that the
memorandum of notification be attached as Enclosure ___.
RCDR presents a copy of the memorandum of notification with a certification that the original
was delivered to RESP and requests that it be attached to the proceedings as Enclosure ____.
LA: The copy of the memorandum of notification will be attached as requested as Enclosure
___.
RCDR may make an opening statement to point out what the expected presentation of evidence
will be.
RESP COUNSEL may make a statement now or may reserve or waive opening statement at this
time.
RCDR then calls witnesses and presents other evidence relevant to the subject of the
proceedings. RCDR should logically present the facts to help the Board understand what
happened. Except as otherwise directed by the PRES, RCDR may determine the order of
presentation of facts. The following examples are intended to serve as a guide to the manner of
presentation, but not to the sequence. The RPTR maintains a record of each witness testifying
and the documents received in evidence.
Direct Examination
RCDR conducts direct examination of each witness called by RCDR or at the request of PRES or
members. RESP or COUNSEL may then cross-examine the witness. PRES and members of the
BOARD may then question the witness, but PRES may control or limit questions by BOARD
members.
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A military witness approaches and salutes PRES, then raises his or her right hand while RCDR
administers the oath. A civilian witness does the same but without saluting.
RCDR: Do you swear (or affirm) that the evidence you shall give in the case now in hearing
shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, (so help you God)?
If the witness desires to affirm rather than swear, the words “so help you God” will be omitted.
WITNESS: I do.
The witness then takes the witness chair. RCDR asks every witness the following question no
matter who called the witness.
RCDR: What is your full name (grade, branch of service, unit of assignment, organization and
station) (and address)?
Whenever it appears appropriate and advisable to do so, the LA should explain the rights of a
witness under NY Mil Law §130.15 (compulsory self-incrimination prohibited) or the Fifth
Amendment to the Constitution.
If the report of proceedings will be filed in a system of records under the witness’s name, the
BOARD must advise that witness in accordance with the Privacy Act. Normally, this
requirement applies only to RESP.
Board Questions
If RCDR and RESP COUNSEL wish to ask further questions after the Board has examined the
witness, they should seek permission from the LA. LA should normally grant such requests
unless the questions are repetitive or go beyond the scope of questions asked by the Board.
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LA: Does the Recorder or Respondent desire to ask any additional questions in reference to the
Board’s questions?
Witness Excused
LA: Do not discuss your testimony in this case with anyone other than the recorder, the
respondent, or his or her counsel. If anyone else attempts to talk with you about your testimony,
you should tell the person who originally called you as a witness.
The proceedings should indicate that the witness (except RESP) withdrew from the room.
Unless expressly excused from further attendance during the hearing, all witnesses remain
subject to recall until the proceedings have ended. When a witness is recalled, the RCDR
reminds such witness, after he or she has taken the witness stand:
The procedure in the case of a witness called by the Board is the same as outlined above for a
witness called by RCDR..
RCDR: I have nothing further to offer relating to the matter under consideration.
An opening statement may be given if it was waived at the beginning of the Government’s case.
RESP presents his or her stipulations, witnesses, and other evidence in the same manner as did
RCDR. RCDR administers oath to all witnesses and asks the first question to identify the
witness.
Should the RESP be called to the stand as a witness, the RCDR will administer the oath and ask
the following preliminary questions, after which the procedure is the same as for other
witnesses:
RCDR: What is your name, (grade, branch of service, organization and station) (address,
position and place of employment)?
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RESP: ________________.
RESP: Yes.
The Board may advise RESP of his or her rights under NY Mil Law §130.31 (compulsory self-
incrimination prohibited) or the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.
If the report of proceedings will be filed in a system of records under RESP’s name, the Board
must advise RESP in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Rebuttal
The RCDR may attempt to rebut any testimony or evidence presented by the RESP by recalling
previously called witnesses or by calling another witness or by presenting other evidence.
Board Requests
LA: Does the Board wish to have any witnesses called or recalled?
LA: Proceed.
RESP COUNSEL: The respondent counsel (has no) (will make a) closing argument.
LA: Proceed.
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RCDR may make the original closing argument and, if any argument is made on behalf of RESP,
RCDR may make rebuttal closing argument. Arguments are not required. If no argument is
made, RESP or RCDR may say:
RESP COUNSEL/RCDR: The (respondent) (recorder) submits the case without argument.
Adjourning the hearing does not end the duties of the Board. It must arrive at findings based on
the evidence and make recommendations supported by those findings. See chapter 3, section II.
Findings and recommendations need not be announced to RESP, but in certain proceedings,
such as elimination actions, they customarily are. RCDR is responsible for compiling the report
or proceedings and submitting properly authenticated copies thereof to the appointing authority.
See chapter 3, section III.
The PRES shall ask the RCDR to reassemble the parties. Once assembled:
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TAB1 to APPENDIX C
LA: __________________, you may, if you desire, obtain civilian counsel at no expense to the
Government for this hearing. If you do not obtain civilian counsel, you are entitled to be
represented by a military counsel designated by the appointing authority. Do you have counsel?
RESP: No (Yes).
If RESP has counsel, the RCDR should identify that counsel at this point for the record. If RESP
does not have counsel, the PRES should ask this question:
If RESP answers “yes”, the PRES should adjourn the hearing and ask the appointing authority
to appoint counsel for RESP. If counsel is supplied, the RCDR should identify that counsel for
the record when the Board reconvenes.
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TAB2 to APPENDIX C
Interpreter
RCDR: Do you swear (or affirm) that you will faithfully perform the duties of interpreter in the
case now in hearing (so help you God)?
INTERPRETER: I do.
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TAB 3 to APPENDIX C
RCDR: I request that this (documentary or real evidence) be marked as Exhibit _____ and
received in evidence.
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TAB4 to APPENDIX C
RCDR: I request that this statement of (witness) be marked Exhibit _____ and received in
evidence. This witness will not appear in person because __________.
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TAB5 to APPENDIX C
RCDR: The recorder and respondent have agreed to stipulate that: _____________________.
Before LA (PRES) accepts the stipulation, he or she should verify that RESP joins in the
stipulation. If it is written it should be marked as an exhibit.
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APPENDIX D
BOARD OF OFFICERS
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This Board, after having carefully considered the evidence, finds by [majority, unanimous] vote
that:
1. The allegation that the Respondent, __________________________, engaged in misconduct:
[specify the charge(s)]____________________________ [has, has not] been proven by a
preponderance of the evidence.
2. The facts upon which this determination is based are: (Additional sheets may be appended)
a. ______________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________________________
In view of the findings, the Board recommendation is [select by checking only one]:
The findings and recommendations were determined by secret written ballot in closed session.
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