A Navy Sailor with 8-years of service tested positive for oxycodone after being prescribed and taking hydrocodone after surgery. He went before the Mast, was reduced one rank, and placed on restriction and extra duty for 45-days. Due to “Big Navy” policy to process all positive urinalysis for administrative separation, and given his time in service, the Sailor appeared before an administrative separation board. MNB Meridian attorneys were able to successfully discredit the Government’s urinalysis expert and admit the lab destroyed the sample before it could be independently tested. Our attorneys were able to put on an overwhelming case showing the Sailor performed superbly despite being demoted, not being paid for two months, and waiting nearly 24 months for his separation board. Convinced by medical expert testimony, a negative polygraph, and overwhelming support from his current and former enlisted chain of command, the Board of Officers unanimously retained the Sailor on active duty.