Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan.
A Petty Officer Second Class was facing an Administrative Separation Board on the charges of falsifying several maintenance documents and forging his superior’s signature. Because the Petty Officer had five separate instances of Non Judicial Punishment over his career, the government was seeking an Other than Honorable Discharge.
Duane Kees was able to put on evidence that the Petty Officer was not only a highly intelligent and experienced NCO in his job, but he was also highly sought after for his knowledge even after the charges of misconduct were brought to light.
After hearing arguments at the separation hearing, the Board recommended that the Petty Officer be discharged with a General, Under Honorable Conditions Discharge, despite the government’s plea that he be given a lesser, more disparaging discharge.
