How To Get Discharge Upgrade From The Military

By Krystal Branch


Boards of the Armed Forces do not have authority to conduct any recall to duty on behalf of the military for anyone who before has been on active service. For dismissals done through special Court-Martial process, they get reviewed only when clemency warrants this to be done. Otherwise, one is required under the law to make an application for discharge upgrade when the period after having been released has not exceeded 15 years. In case you have spent more than this time-period, you can then seek for changes to be done on your service record.

In case you have been give honorable release from work, you then will have the benefit of enjoying all benefits awarded to veterans. Nevertheless, if it is anyone below this, you will not be eligible for certain kinds of benefits. You may still apply for upgrading to be done on your certificate of release.

First, you would need to obtain then complete DD Form 293, which deals with Application for Review of Discharge or Dismissal from United States Armed Forces. After completing the form, do mail it together with any supporting documents to this board that is concerned.

You may download it along with the accompanying instructions from the information center of your service branch. If keen on getting personal hearing, it is important that you check the box appropriate on that form. After doing so, the particular board will notify you of the place and time of hearing.

Hearings are held within national capitals but can sometimes be done at regional centers. The discretion as to where they are scheduled again lies with each board. Be prepared to take care of your general expenses for the time of stay during the hearing if traveling from outside to the venue.

It may be that you are unable suddenly to attend your hearing. Ensure to seek for postponement of hearing in such case to avoid inconveniencing the parties involved. In absence of a request to that effect, the board normally would consider the upgrade application even in your absence. However, this implies not being offered another chance to make your case unless able to demonstrated clearly the challenging circumstances that led to your inability to attend.

The board in general is constituted of 5 active duty military officers. You have to present your case before them and should be ready to offer testimony while under oath in support of the application you make. You also retain the right not to speak at the hearing if concerned about incriminating yourself.

After the involved board has heard your application, it then gets to deliberates on the same. All you need do is to wait upon it to notify you of the decision reached within 6 to 8 weeks. The board may decide to grant you an upward adjustment of your grade and mail and mail you the new certificate relating to this undertaking, DD form 214 together with the accompanying decision document.

If the application gets denied, a Board then mails the decision document that includes specific concerns for denial. It normally will thereafter advise you on any further possibility of appeal applicable to your situation. It could take some time gathering statements plus records in support of your request. You may therefore wish to delay submitting your discharge upgrade application until completing this process.




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