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Associate

Robert C. Whitaker, Jr. Military Experience

Mr. Whitaker began his military career in July 1995 when he enlisted in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician and served on the USS Constellation (CV 64). After graduating from law school, he was commissioned in the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). As a Navy JAG, Mr. Whitaker served as Department Head of the Legal Assistance Office at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, successfully representing a number of petitioners including participants in a class action that resulted in retroactive promotion and back pay for 30 Naval officers.

Mr. Whitaker served as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate to the Commanding General of 2d Marine Logistics Group (FWD) at Camp Al Taqaddum in Al Anbar, Iraq, where he was responsible for Detainee Operations and acted as sole prosecutor for all felony and misdemeanor offenses. After nearly nine months with the Marines, he returned to NAS Jacksonville where he served as a criminal defense attorney.

Since leaving the Navy JAG Corps, Mr. Whitaker has become an associate with the law firm of Hancock Estabrook in Syracuse, NY where he is a member of the Firm's Labor and Employment practice group. He continues to represent service members throughout the U.S. If you are facing an Admin Board or BOI, or want to upgrade your discharge or correct an error in your military record, please contact Mr. Whitaker at (315) 565-4557 or via e-mail at rwhitaker@hancocklaw.com for a free consultation.

The following is a representative listing of results Mr. Whitaker has achieved for clients:*

  • Promotions for 30 Navy Judge Advocates were improperly delayed by nearly a year because of a newly enacted regulation. With the assistance of three other Navy JAGs, Mr. Whitaker spearheaded a BCNR petition that resulted in the retroactive promotion and back pay of nearly $200,000 to all affected officers. Mr. Whitaker received a Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal for his actions.
  • O-3 faced a Board of Inquiry for homosexual conduct, eventually received an honorable discharge by a vote of 3-0.
  • Military widow was denied retirement benefits since her husband, a retired E-6, did not elect survivor benefits when he retired. Mr. Whitaker successfully petitioned BCNR and won reinstatement of full lifetime benefits, including back pay, for his client.
  • E-4 faced second Non Judicial Punishment (NJP) for violating a lawful order. Mr. Whitaker convinced the client's Executive Officer that NJP was inappropriate and the charges were dismissed.
  • E-5 with almost 18 years of service faced high year tenure after consecutive NJPs for violating a lawful order. The Commanding Officer made a negative recommendation that would have cost the client $45,000 in severance pay. Mr. Whitaker presented his case to the CO's Region Commander, following which the recommendation was changed and the client received the severance pay.
  • E-5 who was above allowable body fat standards faced administrative separation for Physical Fitness Assessment failures. Following negotiations with Mr. Whitaker, the Commanding Officer issued a waiver allowing the member to remain on active duty.
  • Reserve E-5 with 18 years faced administrative separation after testing positive for multiple prescription drugs, stating that he accidentally ingested his wife's prescription, thinking it was ibuprofen. Client was ultimately found not guilty and administrative separation proceedings were terminated.

* Each case is different. Past results cannot and do not predict or guarantee similar outcomes with respect to any future matter, including yours, in which any lawyer or law firm may be retained.