MLM 101 - RJ Lopez - The Story of a Navy Veteran who never gave up in his fight for justice

Military Law & Life Matters

Mr. Rudy Lopez never gave up and his resilience and persistent paid off. He filed his own petition in the Court of Federal Claims and was awarded a military retirement that was unjustly stolen from him while he was on active duty. This is Rudy's story.

Rudy is retired from the United States Navy where he served as Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman. During his impressive career with the Navy, Rudy deployed to Iraq three times and once to Afghanistan.

Rudy is currently employed as a North Carolina Private Investigator. He graduated from law school after leaving the Navy, earning his law degree from Valparaiso University. He also has a Master of Laws degree from Loyola University Chicago. Throughout law school, he has participated in internships helping military Veterans as well as interning at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Defense Appellate Division.

Rudy now dedicates a portion of his time advocating for veterans before the Boards for Correction of Military or Naval Records as well as the Discharge Review Boards.

Rudy began his battle with the Navy while in Uniform by filing a petition with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR). He was discharged from the Navy before he got the BCNR decision, denying his petition. Rudy then filed his own petition as a pro se petitioner with the United States Court of Federal Claims. After seven years, Rudy was finally vindicated and the Navy BCNR provided full relief, which included a twenty-year constructive retirement and backpay. This is a story that exemplifies perseverance even when times are tough, and a man who never ever gave up, because he knew there was always hope.

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