I have litigated almost 2000 cases as a military judge, defense counsel at the trial and appellate levels, and prosecutor. These cases have ranged in complexity from premeditated murder, manslaughter, and sexual assault charges to unique military offenses such as disobedience of orders and UA/AWOL charges. Most servicemembers who are convicted at a court-martial are only entitled to one appeal as a matter of right - make the most of it by retaining an attorney whose primary focus is military appeals. The consequences of an affirmed court-martial conviction may last a lifetime. As the United States Supreme Court wrote in Kent v. United States, the "right to representation by counsel is not a formality. . . . It is the essence of justice."