December 10, 2025, U.S. v. E-7, United States Air Force, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Active-duty Air Force Staff Sergeant faces an involuntary administrative separation after a urinalysis allegedly returns positive for illegal substances. The Staff Sergeant has no prior misconduct history and maintains that the result is questionable—especially considering a deteriorating relationship with his command and prior threats of adverse action. After retaining counsel, Attorney Ernesto Gapasin immediately protects the member's due process rights by submitting an Election of Rights and demanding an administrative separation board. From the outset, Mr. Gapasin prepares to fully contest the basis for separation and pursue retention. The reason is because Client wants to voluntarily separate on his ETS date in December with an Honorable characterization of discharge. His command, however, was pursuing to kick him out with an Other Than Honorable discharge (OTH). As the client's ETS date approaches, however, it becomes apparent the command is hesitant to move forward. Mr. Gapasin recognizes that the government's delay likely reflects an unwillingness—or inability—to proceed to a contested hearing requiring live testimony and proof. With only months remaining on the client's enlistment, Mr. Gapasin maintains steady pressure through consistent communication with the JAG prosecutor, also called the Recorder for purposes of the administrative separation board. Gapasin strategically requests information and poses procedural questions, even inquiries about submitting a conditional waiver on his client's behalf, while knowing from the respondent's side that his client fully intended to fight for full retention so he could ETS with an Honorable. In a final act, on the last day of his client's term of service, Mr. Gapasin calls JAG and confirms that the administrative separation board could not proceed against his client. The JAG Recorder acknowledges what rarely happens—that he and the SJA Office made a mistake and failed to convene the board within the timeline required under AF regulations. In the call with Gapasin, the recorder admitted he believed Gapasin was going to submit a conditional waiver. RESULT: Separation TERMINATED. Instead, Gapasin's client voluntarily separates on his ETS date with an Honorable characterization of service and full benefits intact.