Adjudication Process

• Board Composition - Adjudication is normally by a three-member board composed of a mixture of military and civilian personnel. The President is normally a colonel, but may be a GS-13 Civilian Adjudication Officer. The Personnel Management Officer (PMO) may be a field grade officer or a GS-13 Civilian Adjudication Officer. The physician may be civilian or military. When military members are used as the President or PMO, they may be of any branch except the Special Branches. When an RC appears before the board, one member must be of the Reserve Components.
• Informal - The initial findings and recommendations are based on a records review without the soldier's presence.
• Formal - Soldiers who disagree with the informal findings and who are found unfit are entitled by law to a formal hearing. Soldiers who are determined fit may request the PEB President to grant them a formal hearing. Soldiers may elect to appear or not appear and to be represented by appointed counsel or by counsel of choice at no expense to the government. Soldiers may request essential witnesses to testify on their behalf. The PEB President determines whether witnesses are essential.
• Appellate and Quality Review - Soldiers who disagree with the informal findings and who are found unfit are entitled by law to a formal hearing. Soldiers who are determined fit may request the PEB President to grant them a formal hearing. Soldiers may elect to appear or not appear and to be represented by appointed counsel or by counsel of choice at no expense to the government. Soldiers may request essential witnesses to testify on their behalf. The PEB President determines whether witnesses are essential.