How can someone fight a FG article 15?

As a water type guy, was “field great” supposed to be field grade? All our Art 15s are called Captain’s Mast ( no matter the grade of the commanding officer, all sea or shore command unit commanders are “captains”). Only shore based Art 15 can be refused though an admin discharge or a Summary Court could follow. Of course appeals can be made in all cases. If I recall correctly USMC has “office hours”. Will be into hear about what Space Force terms come about . I had a hard enough time with the various rank insignia terminology in the Army over the 30 yrs. Now the Space Force Enlisted Guardian rank insignias and all the variations in the stripe arrangements and specialty derivatives be a treat. But I digress ...at least the Navy Officer Rank insignia and terms won’t get sucked in. Though I do understand CAPT Kirk’s sentiments. Air Force, after losing its aircraft fight in ‘48 certainly wasn’t going let the Navy nose in the tent. Oops digressed again..bye

Eating is NOT the same as sleeping!
There is a reason for no sleeping - you need to be available at a moments notice
Looks like the only thing you might have is the mercy of the CO.

Your runner was a POS for sure. I had Art15 charges read 3 different times. I demanded a courts general martial, in public. All 3 times they dropped it. Yes, a general is drastic but your right. In public is your right. He was probably just blowing off smoke to get a reaction. Keep your ducks in a row and get a better runner next time.

A. Hope your Runner verifies your version of events.
B. If this is the case when you got your counseling I hope you submitted your comments in the section for them.
C. Speak with your NCO Support Channel to see what the rest of the command thinks of the situation.
D. Do not.....I say again DO NOT opt for Court Marshal on something like this if your entire command is against you.

I hate to put it like that but it’s the way it is. Sometimes it’s better to suck it up, live to see another day and prove people wrong in the future.
That doesn’t mean don’t fight it, submit rebuttals during the process, site lack of prior counseling’s, get character statements, dispute the RFC NCOER what ever you can. This is the time to learn the regs from JAG and your own studying.

The first bit of advise I am going to give you is to stop talking about this, delete this thread and any others you have made about it. You are going to sink your case before it begins. Next, go to your JAG. If you are truly in the right then decline Art 15 and request court marshal.
I can not stress enough to stop talking about this and delete any and all posts about it.
CYOA

1. Get off social media in discussing such things. RP is not owned or operated by the DoD but serving military members are a part of it.

2. Go see JAG. Don't walk, don't jog.. RUN there.

3. Document everything. You were on a 24 hour duty with another SM, have them write an account of what occurred and what had been worked out and that you were on your lunch break.

You can plead your case to the commander who will probably lean towards the recommendation of the 1SG and CSM, or you can request a court martial. I think your chances are actually better with the court martial. The idea that you must be awake for 24 hours straight is a bit ridiculous and not really supported by any doctrine or regulations that I'm aware of.

"How important is this?" you may ask yourself....

A field grade Article 15 is an automatic referral to QMP board at your rank. If I were in your shoes, I would request the Court Martial and hire a civilian attorney. The people who tell you to go to JAG are incorrect, JAG is the prosecution office and will refuse to discuss your case with you. If you receive a failed to meet standards NCOER you will be referred to QMP. I personally believe your best bet is to push for a court martial, if you're found not guilty or the case is not prosecuted then your command has no grounds to give you a negative, career ending, NCOER.

Lucky for you I believe the new SMA addressed exactly this, and is in favor of it....

The officer have made a great call you should all read be at legal counsel.

That was a bit harsh