The Air Force Physical Evaluation Board- otherwise called the Air Force PEB- process begins with the members of the Informal Panel at Randolph AFB conducting a paper review of your MEB, your Commander’s Letter and any other documents accompanying your package. When you receive the findings of the Informal Panel- known as the IPEB, then you will have to sign an Air Force Form 1180 letting the PEB know whether you disagree with the findings or accept them.
If you are found fit and believe that this is wrong, then we will work together to provide the PEB with a detailed argument showing why you are unfit and demand a formal hearing. Formal hearings- known as an FPEB- are not granted as a matter of course when you have been found fit. However, we will work together to show why a hearing is justified.
If you have been found unfit but disagree with the findings, then you can request an FPEB before the Formal Panel at Lackland AFB.
Before the formal hearing, I always work with my clients to provide the FPEB with a written overview of what we are seeking as an outcome and the evidence that supports it. This can have one of two results- either they grant us an on the record decision or tell us where the case is weak, so that we can backfill prior to the formal hearing. Either way, it is a no-risk strategy that is part of what we need to do to win your case.
At the formal hearing at Lackland AFB, you and I will work together to present evidence, testimony and documents that support our case. If we need to appeal after that to the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council- known as the SAFPC- and possibly on to the Air Force Board of Corrections for Military Records- AFBCMR, there is no need to worry. It is all covered by my fee agreement- one price, start to finish- no surprises.
Any lawyer can tell you that he is very good at what he does, but I would rather let my clients speak for me:
“I found Jack Gately by accident and retained him for my case. He is truly a very honest and fair person, a great lawyer. He won what I was told was a hopeless case with relative ease- it was unbelievable. On top of that, he is a nice person and a great human being. Pretty amazing for a lawyer!” MAJ Irma Groot, USAF (ret.), irma.groot@gmail.com, http://forensicnurse.weebly.com
“When I was unjustly separated from the Air Force Reserve for my service-incurred injuries without an MEB, Jack Gately got me reinstated through the AFBCMR and represented me throughout the PEB process until I was medically retired. When you go through this process, it is very easy to feel isolated and alone. From the moment that I retained him, Jack was always there for me and I knew that he would never abandon me.” SSGT Lynda Houck, USAF (ret.) at lyndahouck@yahoo.com.