When a command starts calling someone the “problem sailor” or the “problem soldier,” that service member often feels alone long before any legal process begins. At The Griffin Law Firm, we see those moments up close. Our Community Involvement video shares why we choose to stand with the people others may write off, and how our own service shapes the way we show up for military clients today.
Why this story matters to our team
Every day, we meet active duty members, reservists, and veterans who feel like the system has stopped seeing them as people. They carry labels, accusations, and a lot of stress. In the video, we talk about why that reality moves us, not just as attorneys, but as a team that has worn the uniform or supported those who do.
One line captures this connection clearly:
“Every member of our team serves in some way or has served in some way, and we understand what it means. We know how hard it is. We know what they're going through. It really motivates us to help them.”
We speak in the first person because this is not a distant issue for us. Military life, with all its pressure and sacrifice, is part of our story too. That shared experience guides how we approach court-martial defense, administrative separations, security clearance concerns, and VA benefits appeals for our clients.
Seeing more than a label
In many units, once someone faces an accusation, the label sticks. The video addresses that reality head-on. We talk about how commands may start to see that person as a problem to manage rather than a teammate with a history of service.
In the video, we say:
“We very much believe in fulfilling our mission that God has given us by taking care of those around us and those who are being forgotten, by being accused of a crime, by being the, you know, the problem sailor or the problem soldier in the unit.”
That line speaks to how we view our work. We do not reduce our clients to the worst thing someone has said about them or to the charge they face. We focus on the person, their career, and their future. When we help someone navigate a court-martial, an administrative separation, or a related state charge, we keep that full picture in mind.
The forgotten service member in the paperwork
Another key moment in the video describes how easy it becomes for a service member to get buried in forms, reports, and taskers. When that happens, the human being behind the paperwork can disappear from view.
We say it this way:
“We want to take care of those people because chances are they're being misunderstood. They're being forgotten about. They are causing other people more paperwork. But that doesn't mean that your experience is invaluable. That doesn't mean that you aren't valuable to the mission.”
This belief shapes how we work with clients across military and state courts, including so-called “straddling offenses” like DUIs. While commands may see a file and extra work, we see someone whose past service, training, and sacrifice still matter. Our role is to help them understand their legal situation, make informed choices, and move through a difficult process with as much clarity and confidence as possible.
A mission rooted in service and faith
In the video, we also talk about why this commitment runs deeper than professional duty. We describe our culture as one grounded in a sense of calling:
“In our firm's culture, we very much believe in fulfilling our mission that God has given us by taking care of those around us and those who are being forgotten…”
That perspective matters in military law, where the stakes extend beyond a single hearing. A court-martial or administrative separation can touch a family’s stability, future benefits, career progression, and post-service opportunities. When we support a client, we keep that wider impact in mind. We communicate clearly, use predictable flat-rate pricing, and focus on solutions that align with the client’s goals and long-term plans.
How this connects to our work today
The themes in the video are not one-time talking points. They reflect how we run our practice at The Griffin Law Firm today:
- We draw on our own military backgrounds to understand what our clients face in uniform and after service.
- We approach each case with a client-centered mindset, looking at how legal decisions may affect a career, security clearance, or VA benefits.
- We use clear, predictable flat-fee pricing so our clients can plan and focus on what matters most.
- We stay committed to open, honest communication throughout the legal process.
These choices all come from the same place you see in the video: a desire to serve those who serve, especially when they feel overlooked or misunderstood.
Why we invite you to watch the video
The Community Involvement video gives you a direct window into how we think about military service, faith, and advocacy. Reading about values is one thing. Hearing them expressed in our own words, with real emotion and lived experience behind them, offers something more.
If you or someone close to you feels like the “problem sailor” or “problem soldier,” or you worry that an accusation has overshadowed years of service, we invite you to watch the video. Listen for the moments that speak to your experience. Consider how our perspective on dignity, service, and calling lines up with what you need from a legal team.
When you are ready to talk about your situation, we welcome your call at (888) 707-4282. We are here to listen, to explain your options, and to help you move forward with a clearer sense of where you stand.