April 30, 2019, U.S. v. O-5, United States Navy, Naval Station San Diego, California. Navy CDR (O-5) with 24 years of service pleads guilty in federal court conspiring in the receipt and distribution of a large quantity of narcotics. While awaiting separation, the Navy convenes a Board of Inquiry to separate the officer with a reduced retirement grade of LCDR (O-4), which would have cost him approximately $250,000 in eventual retirement benefits between the two ranks. CDR retains GCW. Mr. Freeburg prepares an extensive mitigation case for the Board of Inquiry, using witnesses and key documents. Board of Inquiry votes that GCW's client should retire in his current rank of CDR. Result: RETIREMENT AT CURRENT RANK, NO Loss of Benefits.