Credibility Matters: Tailoring Every GOMOR Rebuttal for Maximum Impact

Let’s talk about credibility. When it comes to GOMOR rebuttals, it’s not just important—it’s everything. Lose it, and you’re done. But get it right? That’s how you change minds, win cases, and save careers.

Why Cookie-Cutter Doesn’t Cut It

Here’s the thing: Commanding Generals see rebuttals all the time. Many of them look exactly the same—templates that don’t address the unique aspects of a case. You know what happens to those? They get tossed aside. Because why would a General waste their time on something that doesn’t even try to stand out?

At our firm, every rebuttal is handcrafted. No templates. No shortcuts. Because no two cases are the same, and your rebuttal shouldn’t be either.

Sometimes You Have to Fall on Your Sword

Let me tell you about a common mistake I see: Soldiers trying to deny everything, even when it’s obvious they’ve made mistakes.

Here’s the hard truth: sometimes, our client is the villain. And when that happens, the best approach isn’t denial—it’s ownership.

I’ve written some rebuttals that start with something like this: “Staff Sergeant Smith admits to the misconduct. He regrets his actions, has taken steps to correct his behavior, and is committed to earning back the trust of his command.”

Then we dive into the backstory. What led to this mistake? What mitigating circumstances are at play? Why does this soldier deserve another chance?

When you’re honest, it builds credibility. And credibility is what makes a Commanding General take notice.

The Power of a Backstory

Most cases are not about falling on your sword. Sometimes, it’s about telling the story that no one else bothered to tell.

What’s the soldier’s backstory? What challenges have they faced? What have they done to overcome those challenges? By the time the General finishes reading, they should feel like they know this soldier—not just the allegations against them, but the person behind them.

Here’s an example:

We once had a case where the Soldier was accused of misconduct, but the backstory was incredible. This was a Soldier who had faced adversity, made mistakes, but had shown resilience and growth.

We laid it all out: the circumstances, the character, the changes they had made. And you know what? The GOMOR was locally filed.

And that was a win.

Why?

Because a locally filed GOMOR doesn’t go into your permanent record. It stays within the current command, out of sight from promotion boards and future assignments.

It’s essentially a warning, not a career death sentence. For this soldier, it meant a chance to move forward, rebuild trust, and keep serving without the long shadow of a permanent record.

Why Templated Rebuttals Fail

I’ve been on the other side of this. I used to run a Trial Defense Service office. I know the system. TDS isn’t staffed to handle custom rebuttals for every Soldier. They rely on templates because they have to. But here’s the problem: templates don’t work. When every rebuttal looks the same, the General tunes out. And when they tune out, you lose.

That’s why we don’t do cookie-cutter. Every rebuttal we write is tailored to the case, the soldier, and the audience. It’s a 40-, 50-, even 100-hour project. Because when your career is on the line, you don’t take shortcuts.

The Bottom Line

Credibility isn’t negotiable. Whether it’s owning up to mistakes, crafting a compelling backstory, or tailoring every word to the audience, it’s the key to a winning rebuttal. And it’s why Commanding Generals recognize our work. When they see a rebuttal from the Bilecki Law Group, they know it’s worth reading.

If you’re facing a GOMOR, don’t settle for less.

Your rebuttal should be as unique as your case. Because when it comes to saving your career, credibility isn’t just important—it’s everything.